Job Description

Significant progress has been made since 2016 to establish the devolved social security system, and through Social Security Scotland we now deliver 18 devolved benefits. With the Social Security Programme coming to a close at the end of 2025/26, we are now beginning an exciting new phase of transition and future use of our powers. This will focus on improvement in delivery of services and ensuring social security contributes as effectively as possible to improving outcomes for the people of Scotland.

The Social Security Directorate leads policy advice and legislation on all aspects of devolved social security. The Directorate comprises 2 DD-led Policy Divisions, each responsible for policy advice to Ministers and partnership working across different areas of responsibility. We also work closely with colleagues in Social Security Scotland and across wider Scottish Government, as well as with UK Government and wider Scottish stakeholders to ensure joined up and evidence-based policy development and delivery in line with the social security principles of dignity, fairness and respect.

The post holder will lead a team responsible for developing policy and strategy that ensures that people are supported and empowered to access their entitlements in as straight forward a way as possible, with a particular focus on seldom heard groups and reducing stigma. Supporting access to take up of payments is central to delivering a system that recognises social security as a human right and is a key priority for the Scottish Government in its work to reduce child poverty and support disabled people to live full and independent lives. This is an exciting opportunity to drive work in this high profile area and to help deliver a vision for the next stage of social security that has the client experience at its core, enabled by promotion of take-up and join-up across services and other organisations, helping to deliver on the Scottish Government’s

Responsibilities

• Manage a high performing team with a strong focus on wellbeing, promoting collaborative and partnership working with other teams in the Social Security Policy Division and across wider Scottish Government.
• Ensure delivery of the Scottish Government’s Benefit Take-Up Strategy, providing clear advice to Scottish Ministers on meeting their duty to promote take-up and other support and entitlements.
• Provide strategic Supporting Access policy support to colleagues across Social Security Policy, Social Security Scotland and wider Scottish Government, maintaining a clear vision in line with the Programme for Government, National Performance Framework, Tackling Child Poverty, Equalities and Public Sector Reform agendas.
• Build and maintain strong connections across organisational boundaries to create positive networks and partnerships with internal partners and external stakeholders, delivering on commitments through these and managing challenging external relationships sensitively.
• Work closely with Social Security Scotland colleagues to communicate complex and strategic ideas clearly and appropriately to varied audiences, including Ministers, Parliamentary Committees, stakeholders and the public when required.
• Work closely with finance colleagues and Communities Analysis Division (CAD) analysts to manage budgets efficiently and ensure a robust evidence base for policy development that can demonstrate value for money in achieving better outcomes for the people of Scotland.

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 C1 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 SSD_WFP@gov.scot

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