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.

There are 2 exciting roles in a high-profile area involving regular engagement with Ministers, Parliament and external stakeholders. The wider unit contains three C1-led teams providing policy support across a total of 7 devolved benefits delivered by Social Security Scotland, including Scottish Child Payment. Both posts will be largely focused on our low income family benefits – Best Start Grant, Best Start Foods and Scottish Child Payment and will work flexibly with colleagues to provide support across the range of devolved benefits targeted at people on low incomes – payments which play a pivotal role in the Scottish Government’s mission to tackle child poverty.

The post holders will be responsible for line management of at least one B2 policy officer/s. The post holder will work closely with analysts, stakeholders and colleagues to identify trends and drive improvement across the entire range of Scottish Government low-income benefits, in line with Ministers’ Public Sector Reform Strategy.

Following a busy period in which the teams have been concentrating on developing the Two Child Limit Payment, these teams will be working with Social Security Scotland and SGLD over the next year to plan and deliver a suite of legislative and technical changes with a view to a much clearer and simpler customer journey that ensures people receive all support they are entitled to, as well as potentially implementing proposals contained in the Scottish Budget or the next iteration of the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.

Responsibilities

• Engage with stakeholders, clients and analysts to ensure a robust evidence base for Ministerial advice, covering the feasibility, desirability and affordability of policy options relating to the Five Family Payments.

• Developing and refining the policy approach in the live environment and leading on any necessary legislation to ensure delivery of the policy intent.

• Overseeing the delivery of effective support to Ministers, through timely and efficient provision of correspondence, Freedom of Information requests, Parliamentary Questions, visit support and other relevant business

• Lead on respective policy areas, including drafting of high-quality advice on policy development, maintenance of core briefing and lines, and reacting to various ad-hoc commissions.

• Collaborative work with wider Unit to progress the key findings from evaluation reports and help shape the future development of SG low-income benefits.

• Providing a supportive, performance-focused culture for direct reports and supporting colleagues across the wider business area.

Responsibilities

• Engage with stakeholders, clients and analysts to ensure a robust evidence base for Ministerial advice, covering the feasibility, desirability and affordability of policy options relating to the Five Family Payments.

• Developing and refining the policy approach in the live environment and leading on any necessary legislation to ensure delivery of the policy intent.

• Overseeing the delivery of effective support to Ministers, through timely and efficient provision of correspondence, Freedom of Information requests, Parliamentary Questions, visit support and other relevant business

• Lead on respective policy areas, including drafting of high-quality advice on policy development, maintenance of core briefing and lines, and reacting to various ad-hoc commissions.

• Collaborative work with wider Unit to progress the key findings from evaluation reports and help shape the future development of SG low-income benefits.

• Providing a supportive, performance-focused culture for direct reports and supporting colleagues across the wider business area.
  
  

Working pattern

This role is a permanent level transfer position. This role is hybrid within current SG Hybrid Working Policies, the role can be based in either Glasgow or Edinburgh.

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).

Vacancy closes at 12:00pm on Thursday the 9th April.

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 socialsecuritydirectorate_resourcing@gov.scot.

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