Job Description

If putting yourself at the heart of the Organisation in a dynamic environment, working with the most senior leaders in Scottish Government interests you, then this role brings the perfect opportunity to strengthen your organisational awareness and develop your Civil Service career.

This role provides an exciting opportunity to work as part of the division of the Office of the Executive Team supporting the most senior leaders in our organisation. Working with the team supporting Director General Economy (DG) you will have regular interaction with SG colleagues at all levels as well as various OGD and external stakeholders. You will learn more about how the Scottish Government works, in particular, the role of the Executive Team (ET), and their function in delivering for Scotland.

The post holder will provide high quality Private Secretary support to Director General Economy and flexibility will also be required to provide cover and resilience across more than one office when needed.

The division is led by the Principal Private Secretary to the Permanent Secretary, and you will be working collaboratively across the division to help build the capacity, capability and consistency necessary for high performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Day to day support for the DG responsibilities and their corporate, leadership and line management roles.
• Supporting the Senior Private Secretary and other team members as an “intelligent filter” on information flows, including managing busy mailboxes, maintaining a high and consistent level of awareness and understanding of the political environment and rapidly changing priorities.
• Providing effective and concise briefing to the ET member on key priorities on a daily basis –either verbally or in writing.
• Supporting delivery of a programme of engagement and comms, with effective engagement across the DG family, networks and stakeholders.
• Working with Assistant Private Secretaries to manage the ET member’s diary and ensure they have the information needed for a busy schedule of meetings and other tasks – this will include regular strategic reviews to ensure that the ET member’s time is managed effectively to meet priorities.
• Liaising closely with business areas across SG including DG Families, Directorates, Agencies and others such as Ministerial Private Office and Communications teams to support delivery of business objectives.
• Working closely with the team and wider division to proactively promote continuous improvement through the implementation of new ways of working.
• Building good working relationships with colleagues across the organisation and beyond, who are often at a very senior level.
• When acting on the DG’s behalf you will be seen as a role model and reflect behaviours and values across boundaries that represent both the DG and Scottish Government in a positive way.

Working pattern

This role is a temporary position with an expected commitment of 12 months.

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive B2 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 david.skilling@gov.scot

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