Job Description

Do you want to play a key role in supporting an independent public inquiry that seeks truth, accountability, and justice?

On 12 November 2019, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice announced his intention to hold a public inquiry into the circumstances leading to and following the death of Sheku Bayoh in 2015. The Inquiry commenced on 30 November 2020 and evidential hearings began on 10 May 2022. The Inquiry is independent of Scottish Ministers.

The Inquiry is examining the circumstances leading up to the death of Mr Bayoh, the post incident management process and subsequent investigation into his death. The Inquiry will also establish the extent to which Mr Bayoh’s actual or perceived race played a part in events, if any.

Scottish Ministers have recently appointed a new Chair. Evidential hearings have concluded and the Inquiry is now progressing to its final stages, including report writing and all that is involved in the latter stages of a Public Inquiry. This is an opportunity to join the secretariat at this time, providing support to the senior leadership team to ensure the effective running of the Inquiry as a whole in its final stages. We are looking for a flexible team player with strategic awareness, good judgement and personal resilience, who is willing to take on tasks across the Inquiry as necessary. In the early days of the post, the priority will be ensuring proportionate programme management structures are in place to underpin the final stages and the post holder will also have oversight of the Inquiry’s communications strategy.The post holder will also require and to be able to manage complex financial information, run some of the Inquiries operational functions, ensure business continuity and at times be able to substitute for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary.

Responsibilities

• Working with the wider Secretariat team and the Inquiry legal team to ensure progress and monitoring of all the work strands of the Inquiry.
• Lead the governance of the Inquiry including the maintenance of risk registers, other management information, and Inquiry programme plans.
• Oversee effective risk management arrangements for the Inquiry, consulting with and providing advice to the senior management team.
• Oversee and maintain business continuity arrangements for the Inquiry, ensuring effective documentation and procedures are in place.
• Have an overview of relevant corporate SG systems that impact the Inquiry, including Oracle
• Leading on efficient and effective management of the Inquiry’s communications strategy - including oversight of media management.
• Ensuring that the Inquiry website is up to date, and that the Inquiry’s activities are effectively communicated to all key stakeholders including the mainstream media and the wider general public.
• Responsibility for all financial reporting to the Chair and the Scottish Government sponsor team, alongside leadership on all expenditure matters and providing advice in relation to contracts and procurement.
• Leading on organisation of the financial, operational, media and corporate evidence for future preservation and transfer on completion of the Inquiry, in support of the wider work being carried out by the Evidence Team Leader.
• Working closely, collaboratively and flexibly with other Inquiry team members on the smooth, effective, and efficient running of the Inquiry.

Success profileSuccess profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Experience

• Excellent communication skills and experience in communicating with a variety of stakeholders at all levels in a dynamic operational or policy environment.
• Experience of deploying proportionate programme and project management approaches, ideally with experience of financial management.

Behaviours:

• Leadership (Level 4)
• Working together (Level 4)
• Changing and improving (Level 4)
• Delivering at Pace (Level 4)
  

You can find out more about Success Profiles here: Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot

How to applyApply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 22/06 however this may be subject to change. About usThe Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules
Working patternOur standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Location

Victoria Quay, Edinburgh although we are currently operating a flexible, hybrid working model. Working location is subject to change.

Security checksSuccessful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide
Equality statementWe are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further informationFind out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. Apply before 23:59 - 31/05/26