Resource Spending Lead

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 – Resource Spending Lead

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 .

Grade – C1

Advert type – level transfer

Duration – 12 months

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.

The Resource Spending Unit plays a central role in shaping the Scottish Government’s resource budget, reporting and scrutiny of spending places, supporting strategic decision-making and ensuring effective allocation of public funds. The postholder will lead work across the budget cycle, working closely with portfolios, Public Service Reform colleagues, and senior leaders to drive improved outcomes and value for money.

This is a high-profile role at the centre strategic spending analysis, stakeholder engagement, and delivery of key fiscal outputs including supporting the Budget, Medium Term Financial Strategy, and Spending Review processes.

Key responsibilities during the twelve-month duration of the post include:

• Resource spending analysis and advice, supporting development of the Scottish Budget and review of multi-year spending forecasts and allocations.
• Provide strategic financial advice to senior officials and Ministers on spending priorities, pressures and trade-offs
• Lead portfolio engagement, with portfolio budgeting leads with engagement with policy teams, finance leads and public bodies to understand spending drivers and risks
• Analyse and review financial returns and analysis, ensuring robust data on forecasts, pressures, savings and delivery plans
• Drive improved understanding of public spending, this could include areas such as supporting place-based and preventative budgeting approaches
• Support cross-government decision making, aligning resources to priorities such as Public Service Reform and Programme for Government commitments
• Ensure fiscal discipline and value for money, including identifying opportunities for reprioritisation and efficiency

Success Profile

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on.

Experience:

• Evidence strong financial or analytical background, with the ability to interpret complex data and provide clear advice
• work at pace and manage competing priorities within tight deadlines
• demonstrate strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills; and
• provide clear communication at varying levels of seniority and audiences, including drafting concise briefings and submissions

Behaviours

• Seeing the Big Picture - Level 4 
• Communicating and Influencing - Level 4 
• Delivering at Pace - Level 4 
• Leadership - Level 4 

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - 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. This post is based in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh.

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.

Further Information

Further information about this opportunity is available from Stephanie.Knight@gov.scot

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 23:59pm on Friday 6 November.

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 9 November, however this may be subject to change.

Please ensure you have agreement with line manager prior to application.

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.

Apply before: 06/11/2026 (23:59). This role is open to substantive staff from core SG only.