Job Description

Are you ready to make an impact in a high‑profile area where you’ll collaborate with senior leaders, shape communications across government policy areas, and engage directly with Ministers?

This is a unique opportunity to lead the Agricultural Wages and Rural Engagement Branch, a high‑profile and influential area of work at the heart of Scotland’s rural and agricultural policy landscape. The Branch has responsibility for seasonal worker policy in Scotland and provides critical support to the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board, which sets minimum pay, terms and conditions for workers across agriculture, forestry and horticulture.

As Head of Agricultural Wages and Rural Engagement, you will manage a small, specialist team delivering enforcement casework to ensure agricultural workers receive the pay and protections set out in the Scottish Agricultural Wages Order. You will provide clear leadership, set strategic direction, and ensure casework is handled fairly, proportionately and consistently.

Alongside this, you will lead on the delivery of seasonal worker policy, working closely with policy colleagues across the Scottish Government, UK counterparts and a wide range of external stakeholders. The role involves advising and briefing Scottish Ministers, contributing to cross‑government discussions, and balancing complex policy, operational and stakeholder considerations.

Responsibilities:

• You will have responsibility for the direction and management of 5 staff in the Agricultural Wages and Rural Engagement Branch.

• Provide effective leadership and oversight for delivery of the team’s operational and policy functions (Ag Wages, Seasonal Workers, Fox Control) and on continuous improvement.

• Coordinate the delivery of advice to support policy, legislation and external stakeholders on aspects relevant to the Branch's interests, and work jointly with the SASA Policy Unit and other colleagues in the Agriculture & Rural Economy Directorate on other issues facing the agriculture sector as required.
• Lead on, and oversee the provision of advice to Ministers, senior officials and on national committees (including MiCase, FMQ & PQs).
• Work across government to deliver Ministerial commitments which impact seasonal workers, such as support for the proposed new housing standard for seasonal workers.
• Manage and develop a network of key relationships, including engagement with a range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels, including NFUS, DEFRA, Home Office and the Worker Support Centre and other relevant stakeholder groups.
• Maintain the framework for the delivery of the Agricultural Workers Wages Inspections, including Standard Operating Procedures and training function, in association with RPID colleagues
• You will keep under review task allocation and resourcing within your Branch and advise senior management in relation to setting and oversight of your budget and in negotiating costs with delivery partners.
• As a senior manager you will contribute to SASA and, where required, ARE corporate activities in support of the Scottish Government's objectives.

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

Experience:

• A strong understanding of the Scottish agricultural sector and the challenges it faces.

Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing - Level 4
• Making Effective Decisions - Level 4
• Working Together - Level 4
• Seeing the Big Picture - Level 4

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

How to apply:

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement of no more than 750 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 MS Teams interview and presentation

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 15 June 2026 however this may be subject to change.

Apply before 23:59 on 31 May 2026. This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only (external candidates and staff from UK Other Government Departments are not eligible to apply for this vacancy).

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 offerAs 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.
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, and read about the Government Vetting Charter, or about all the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application. Equality statement We 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 information Find 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.