Job Description

This opportunity is only open to applicants who are currently 'Priority Movers'. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.

Located with the new NSWA, within the Strategic Policy and Corporate Governance Team. Responsible for supporting the Agency’s role in inputting to cross government policy development as it affects social work and ensuring strategic oversight of national policy developments impacting on social work.

This role is situated in the Strategy and Corporate Governance Unit of the NSWA, working closely with our team of Professional Social Work Advisers to input social work advice across the Scottish Government teams developing policy and legislation which impact on social work staturtory duties and practice.

Reporting to the Strategic Policy Team Leader these 2 posts will work across the agency to support the policy aspects of our Senior Professional Advisers (across Children, Justice, Adults and Mental Health) to ensure the business of government is fulfilled to the highest standard.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to a strategic overview of social work policy and practice, engaging and collaborating with other relevant areas across government to explore, support and progress joint policy outcomes.
• Alongside the Strategic Policy Team Leader, maintain strategic oversight of national policy developments and planned legislation as it impacts on the social work profession, reviewing their impact on the profession and ensuring that NSWA is engaged and provides input as required.
• Work alongside Scottish Government policy teams across the social work disciplines, to develop and deliver policies, designed to safeguard some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people.
• Lead on the development of relevant social work policy and guidance, building strong working relationships with colleagues across the National Social Work Agency, ensuring policy closely aligns with the Agency’s objectives.
• Work closely with Professional Social Work Advisers within the Agency to lead the production of strategic social work advice for Ministers and Scottish Government colleagues and to inform contributions to wider policy and legislative developments.
• Provide a consistently high level of support for Ministers and senior officials, drafting and coordinating regular communications, including preparing responses to related Ministerial correspondence, PQs, FOIs etc and supporting Ministers at visits, if required.
• Ensure policy and advice is built upon a robust evidence base, engaging with stakeholders and analysts, as required.
• Management and monitoring of grants that support the delivery of social work policy.
• Support the work of the Scottish Social Work Partnership, ensuring alignment between the NSWA objectives and supporting the development of the SSWP Strategy.
• Work closely with the Strategic Policy Team Leader to have oversight of cross cutting commissions that impact on the Agency, identifying where pieces of work need progressed and alerting colleagues of the implications on their areas of national policy developments.

Working pattern

This role is a permanent level transfer position.

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive B3 employees.

Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words).

Selection Process

All candidates will be invited to an informal discussion with the Hiring Manager.

Informal discussion dates tbc.

Further Information

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact shona.macpherson@socialwork.gov.scot

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.