Job Description

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

The Delivery Area’s principal function is to deliver evidence and data to provide policy makers and Ministers with relevant independent scientific advice and to guide Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (SFF) stakeholders and partners on management actions. Work of the Delivery Area underpins the SG Wild Salmon Strategy, delivers salmon conservation regulations, ensures sustainable aquaculture, licences fish introductions and delivers the responsibilities assessment of endangered eels.

There is a need to engage regularly with Policy Leads in the Marine Directorate as well as other Directorates in Scottish Government and external partners and stakeholders and private, public sector and charitable organisations to ensure a strategic Scottish approach to meeting Ministerial aims, ambitions and commitments set out in the Wild Salmon Strategy, Sustainable Vision for Aquaculture and Blue Economy Vision, as well as lead SFF contributions to the Marine Science and Innovation Strategy Implementation Plan.The current post holder currently chairs the Science Evidence Board (in support of WSS) and the new post holder will need to consider how this function is best delivered into the future. This delivery area is likely to be engaged in a range of Public Service Reform (PSR) initiatives in the year ahead.

The successful candidate will utilise their leadership and engagement skills to inspire and steer scientific staff based at sites across Scotland. The majority of staff are based at the MD Freshwater Laboratory in Faskally, Pitlochry with small numbers based at 2 sites at Montrose Port and the West Coast Field Station. In addition, the Delivery Area draws on resource based in in the Aquaculture, Fish Health and Biosecurity staff at the Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen.

As part of SEDD you will be expected to draw on your leadership experience and skillset to lead specific initiatives in a SEDD-wide or Directorate-wide capacity.

Marine Directorate’s transformation, and SEDD change ambition require SDLs to take ownership of innovation or improvement workstrands, and to be active in the professional, learning and working culture space.

Key responsibilities

• Providing leadership and direction to SFF staff by
• Chairing a quarterly Policy Forum with Delivery Leads in Salmon and Recreational Fisheries and Sustainable Aquaculture Policy and finalising an agreed list of prioritised work for all Delivery Areas thus meeting Ministerial aims and ambitions, policy objectives and statutory and regulatory responsibilities, alongside co-ordination of the Salmon Science and Evidence Board
• Monitoring and reconciling budgets for SFF and having an awareness of Quality Systems for staff. Particularly, reconciling budgets monthly and at Autumn Budget Revision, Spring Budget Revision and B-monthly Reprofiling deadlines and overseeing capital and revenue spending for SFF
• Provide scientific leadership for the area, including signing off all scientific publications and provides bespoke scientific advice to Policy colleagues, as relevant.
• Support the SEDD Portfolio Head, Professional Leads and Portfolio Manager and MPEC colleagues in the generation of Delivery Plans for SFF for the Annual Delivery Plan (ADP) and in resourcing these plans via MD processes, including:
• leading on ADP planning and reporting
• Contributing to MD 5 Year delivery plan
• reporting on AWP and Glidepath planning and related activity.
• completing risk assessment and mitigation.
• engaging with policy portfolios.
• attending and contributing to weekly Tues and Thursday SDL meetings, including ‘cluster’, ‘people’ and ‘Change’ meetings
• ensure Individual Staff and Team Agreements are being fulfilled to meet the SG Hybrid Working expectations
• Develop future plans for the area of business, including assessing how many people and what mix of skills is required to inform future resourcing discussions in conjunction with the Professional Lead. Consider the total skills and expertise of staff and resources available in SEPA, NatureScot and Academic Institutes to consider how all work is delivered in collaboration, partnership or by commissioning out
• Hold Monthly Conversations and Weekly Meetings with all delivery staff to discuss performance, recognise success and give constructive feedback and discuss work priorities and setting of SMART Objectives for work programmes
• Attend local H&S meetings and ensure any concerns and issues are escalated to the SEDD Portfolio Health and Safety meetings.

Experience

• Applicants should have experience of strategic thinking, team leadership, managing projects and working on the science/evidence-policy interface.
• In addition, applicants should demonstrate:
• Expert working knowledge of science relating to the freshwater sector, and the national and international contexts in which this is relevant
• Experience leading and managing scientific research, analytical or evidence-based functions to deliver programme outcomes.

Working pattern

This role is a permanent level transfer position.

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive C2 employees.

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

Vacancy closes at 11:59pm

Selection Process

All applications will be invited to an informal discussion with the hiring manager.

Informal discussions are to be confirmed.

Further Information

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact bill.turrell@gov.scot

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