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.
Community land ownership has been a priority of successive Governments since devolution. Measures to support community ownership of land have been prominent in the 2003, 2016 and 2025 Land Reform (Scotland) Acts and the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. Community land policies directly support Scottish Government’s objectives for community empowerment, community wealth building and place-based policy.
The current Community Land Team is responsible for a number of policies designed to empower communities at a local level. These include:
Scottish Government recently reviewed CRTB policy and a number of improvements require primary legislation. The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs has agreed to take these forward in a standalone Bill. This Bill is subject to final agreement at Cabinet level and has not yet been communicated publicly; colleagues should therefore not disclose the possibility of this Bill to anybody outwith Scottish Government.
This postholder will therefore work closely alongside the current Community Land Team to lead the Bill through the Parliamentary process. Close and collaborative working with the team and the current Community Land Team Leader will be essential.
The current Community Land Team Leader will depart their role over the course of 2027. At this point C-band responsibilities across all Community Land matters will be reviewed and it is likely the new postholder will take responsibility for some current Community Land matters in addition to the Bill, subject to further discussion with the Unit Head and DD. Although the Bill work is time limited, this role is therefore permanent given the opportunity to take on further work in the medium to long term.
The Community Land Team sits within the wider Land Reform Unit, a grouping of around 15 friendly, welcoming and hard-working colleagues. Other teams in the unit are responsible for implementation of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025, sponsorship of the Scottish Land Commission, policies to increase transparency about land ownership and control, and other statutory duties Scottish Ministers have under the 2016 Land Reform Act.
The unit takes a flexible approach to managing work pressures and cross-unit work is common. In addition to leading on specific deliverables, all unit members are expected to support their colleagues through busy periods, periods of leave and on cross-team deliverables such as briefing requests and stakeholder engagement. In turn, the post holder can expect to be supported by the wider unit throughout their own busy periods and in particular during key parliamentary stages of the Bill.
The unit sits within the Land Reform, Rural and Islands Policy Division and the newly formed Directorate for Local Government and Communities. Both the Division, Directorate and Directorate General for Communities and External Affairs place strong emphasis on supporting a positive people culture, high performance, learning and development.
This is an opportunity to lead the delivery of a Bill that will support communities across Scotland. You will have the chance to work with a group of supportive and friendly policy and casework experts, as well as legal and parliamentary colleagues across Scottish Government. Bill work requires very close working with Ministers and SpAds, as well as engagement with stakeholders such as the Scottish Land Commission, Scottish Land and Estates, Community Land Scotland, and MSPs from across the political spectrum.
We are seeking an individual who embraces close work with stakeholders, Ministers and colleagues, who has a flexible, supportive and pragmatic working style, and who can use their policy and legislative experience to deliver positive change.
Legislative Experience. This would ideally have been gained through working in a Bill team or related area (such as PLU, PO or the Scottish Parliament) but substantial experience of secondary legislation may be an appropriate substitute.
This role is a permanent level transfer position. Postholders should be prepared to be contractually based at Saughton House or Victoria Quay.
Legislative Experience. This would ideally have been gained through working in a Bill team or related area (such as PLU, PO or the Scottish Parliament) but substantial experience of secondary legislation may be an appropriate substitute.
Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive C1 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
All applications will be invited to an informal discussion with the hiring manager.
Informal discussions are to be confirmed.
If you have specific questions about the role, please contact Patrick.kirkham@gov.scot
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
The devolved government for Scotland is responsible for matters that are devolved from Westminster. Areas of responsibility include the economy, health, education, justice, rural affairs, environment, and transport.
