Policy Official

This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity, available on a lateral move basis only. Applications are open to Core Scottish Government employees only.

Job Title – Policy Official

Working Arrangement – Staff in roles compatible with hybrid working should spend 40% of their contracted working time working in person at their contractual workplace. More information can be found within Hybrid Working Policy. Glasgow is the primary location and Edinburgh second. Most of the team are based in Glasgow and you would be expected to attend meetings in AQ.

Grade – C2

Advert type – level transfer

Duration – Permanent

Eligibility - Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer from Core SG only.

Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered

Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK

We have an opportunity for a C2 to join the Critical Energy Resilience Unit to lead the Scottish Government’s response to challenges associated with energy resilience, and ad hoc business continuity issues in the oil and gas sector. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who has extensive experience in cross government engagement in the pursuit of securing alignment between UK Government and Scottish Government priorities for transitioning industries. This role is also suited to someone who has a proven track record of working with external commercial advisers to devise and implement a response to businesses in distress, ideally in the energy sector. Lastly, this role is suited to someone who thrives when engaging with SCS and senior Ministerial level to secure outcomes that deliver on the priorities of the Scottish Government and represent value for the taxpayer.

The Critical Energy Resilience Unit is one of four units within the Energy Industries Division and leads the Scottish Government’s approach to securing Scotland’s energy security and resilience. Through often high pressure, high profile and time sensitive activities, the Unit develops policy and through partnership working seeks to meet the needs of Scotland in relation to energy security.

Scotland remains reliant on a range of energy sources to ensure functioning of society, public services and the economy. The Critical Energy Resilience Unit works across a range of external partners, extensively with the UK Government, other Scottish Government departments and external agencies to develop and implement plans in relation to energy security. The Unit also has responsibility for leading the Scottish Government’s approach to distressed energy intensive businesses across Scotland including spearheading engagement with business leaders, commercial advisers and enterprise agencies.

The work of the unit is high profile, with significant levels of political, stakeholder and media attention, and are cross-cutting in nature as they interact with wider energy strategy, climate change and economic objectives across Directorates. There is therefore an expectation of regular and extensive out of hours working including in response to crisis situations. There is likely to be some expectations of travel. The Unit (including this post) is a team of six, including three C1s who will be managed by this jobholder). There is currently no budget associated with the work.

This role is central to providing Ministers with assurance and support on the full range of energy resilience issues with particular lead on gas, road fuels and leading inter-governmental and cross governmental planning and assurance activity.

DECC is committed to balancing workload and resource. That means we may require staff to support in priority areas as they arise. This area has been confirmed as a current priority for DECC but the postholder may be required to work on other priorities within this Division or more widely across DG Net Zero in the future.

• Lead the Scottish Government’s approach to planning and assurance in relation to energy security – all fuels, electricity and gas.
• Lead and coordinate cross Government and agency working to develop, prepare and implement emergency plans in response to catastrophic energy related situations
• Lead senior and strategic engagement with the relevant UK Government departments to align areas of planning and operate between the devolved and reserved landscape
• Have strategic oversight across the preparation of critical briefing materials that would be utilised by senior Ministers and officials in response to emergency situations.
• Lead the Scottish Government’s approach to seeking solutions to distressed energy intensive businesses including securing funding, supporting the negotiation of commercial solutions and supporting Minister’s strategic approach to emerging situations.
• Lead day-to-day engagement with SG’s external commercial and legal advisers on fast evolving matters associated with energy and business resilience.
• Extensive engagement with UKG colleagues in DESNZ, Scotland Office, DfT, DBT, HMT and Cabinet Office.

• Extensive experience of working with the UK Government and commercial operators on issues of energy security
• Management of working with businesses in distress, including engaging with UK Government, commercial advisers and enterprise agencies, preferably in the energy sector.
  

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot

Working Pattern

The post is a full-time role, but staff with different working patterns are invited to apply, and we will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for this post.

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and an Expression of Interest (maximum 500 words) outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team. Please align this to how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above.

Vacancies close at 11:59pm on the date displayed in the table, unless otherwise stated on the job advert.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of a light touch interview.

Discussions are scheduled for w/c 1st December however this may be subject to change.

For any questions relating to your expression of interest please contact stacey.mcfarlane@gov.scot

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.

About us

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service observing the Civil Service Codeand working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Security checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

Equality statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

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