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.

A B3 opportunity has arisen within the Mental Health Scrutiny and Assurance Team to provide maternity cover for a high-profile portfolio focused on mental health scrutiny, assurance and inspection.

The team works across Scottish Government, but particularly closely with the Mental Health Directorate to strengthen oversight of mental health services, support quality improvement and ensure intelligence from scrutiny activity informs policy, delivery and reform.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with senior leaders, Ministers and national partners, including the Mental Welfare Commission and Healthcare Improvement Scotland. The postholder will have a key role in supporting Ministers and senior officials in responding to emerging scrutiny, inspection and assurance findings, often within challenging timescales and in areas of significant public and political interest.

This role offers a great opportunity to develop delivery skills, and work with a range of internal teams and external partners, as well as clinical advisors and Ministers.

Responsibilities

You will be a key member of the team working with Ministers, colleagues and partners to deliver key performance and delivery priorities, this includes:

• Lead engagement with policy colleagues on mental health inspections and assurance activity, working closely with the Mental Welfare Commission, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, NHS Boards and other partners.
• Monitor, assess and coordinate responses to emerging inspection findings and assurance concerns, identifying key risks, opportunities and implications for Ministers and senior leaders.
• Provide timely and high-quality briefings, submissions and advice to Ministers and senior officials on inspection findings and areas of concern, often within challenging timescales.
• Coordinate Scottish Government responses to inspection reports and assurance findings, ensuring appropriate follow-up action, oversight by working with relevant policy colleagues.
• Ensure learning from inspections, reviews and wider scrutiny activity informs policy development, service improvement and reform activity across mental health services.
• Support Ministers and senior leaders in responding to issues of significant public, parliamentary and stakeholder interest arising from inspections and scrutiny activity. This includes PQs and Micases
• Where capacity allows, support will also be provided to the team leader to drive and inform reform of the scrutiny system.

Working pattern

This role is a temporary position with an expected commitment of 6 months.

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive B3 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 James.niven@gov.scot

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