Job Description

SAFER represents a significant review of how food law is delivered in Scotland. The programme potentially has wide-ranging implications for local authorities, industry, regulators, professional bodies, and government partners. Effective communication and engagement are therefore critical to ensuring the programme progresses transparently, builds trust with stakeholders, and supports informed decision-making.

The SAFER Communications & Engagement Manager will provide dedicated communications and stakeholder engagement support to the SAFER programme.

This role will ensure the programme is supported by a structured and proactive communications and engagement approach aligned with FSS’ communications strategy.

The post holder will work closely with the SAFER programme team while maintaining strong links with the Communications and Marketing division to ensure alignment with organisational messaging, governance processes, and stakeholder management.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver the communications and engagement plan to support the SAFER programme through its evidence gathering, option development, consultation, and implementation phases.
• Ensure communications activity aligns with FSS’ wider communications and marketing strategy.
• Provide strategic advice to the programme team and senior leadership on communications risks, stakeholder sensitivities, and reputational considerations.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work with the relevant comms leads in the development and maintenance of a clear stakeholder engagement plan for the programme.
• Support structured engagement with key stakeholders including local authorities, professional bodies, industry groups, Scottish Government, and other delivery partners.
• Ensure engagement activity supports meaningful dialogue and evidence gathering to inform programme options.
• Act as Secretariat for the Communications and Engagement Technical Advisory Group.

Programme Communications Delivery

• Develop and keep up-to-date clear and accessible programme communications materials including ; SAFER Communication Plan/Strategy/ Principles, Briefings, Stakeholder updates, Consultation materials, Programme messaging, Q&A and narrative documents and support the preparation of communications content for the FSS and SAFER Boards.

Consultation and Public Communications

Support the design and delivery of any future public consultation associated with the programme.

Work with digital and communications colleagues to ensure accessible, transparent, and audience-appropriate consultation materials.

Risk & Issues Management

• Identify emerging reputational risks and stakeholder concerns relating to the programme and work with the programme team to keep the risks log updated.
• Provide advice to the programme team on communications approaches to complex or sensitive issues.

Internal Communications

• Ensure clear and consistent communication across FSS about the SAFER programme, supporting staff understanding and organisational alignment.
• Responsible for issuing internal communication bulletin to FSS staff after each SAFER programme board meeting.

Programme Integration

• Work closely with colleagues to translate technical programme work into clear communications and stakeholder materials.
• Ensure communications considerations are embedded into programme planning and governance.

Person Specification

The role sits within the Operational Delivery Profession (ODP) and requires a core skills level of: Working.

You can find out more about the core ODP skills here: Core ODP Skills - Operational Delivery Professions, EMT and ministerial engagement where required.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Significant experience in an in-house communications role.
• Experience supporting complex policy or regulatory programmes.
• Ability to translate complex technical or policy issues into clear and accessible messaging.
• Experience managing stakeholder relationships across multiple sectors.
• Strong understanding of communications risk management within a public sector context.
• Excellent written communication and briefing skills.

Desirable Experience

• Experience supporting consultations or large-scale policy change programmes.
• Experience working within regulatory or public health organisations.
• Knowledge of food law delivery structures in Scotland or similar regulatory systems.