Scottish Government Recruitment
Finance Officer
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Job description
Are you keen to help provide financial support for students in Further and Higher Education?
This role supports the effective decision-making and stewardship of public money. As the fiscal environment becomes more complex, there is a need for continuing development of financial reporting and successful candidates will play a key role in supporting this work.
The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government based within Saughton House. The Agency has historically been responsible for the administration of student financial support to eligible students studying a course of Higher Education within the UK. SAAS supports approx. 160,000 students annually with the administration circa £1.5 billion of financial support. More information on SAAS can be found on our website https://www.saas.gov.uk. From August 2026, SAAS took on the responsibility for Further Education Student Support (FESS) (£130m).
The post sits within the Finance Team of SAAS and will supports the delivery of FESS. The job will be fast paced and have opportunities to work closely with teams across SAAS – particularly Policy, HR and Communications as well as colleagues within the Scottish Government.
Responsibilities
- Administration of the grant offer process for Programme Grants (FESS, EMA).
- Input into annual guidance published.
- Ensuring payment information is up to date and correct.
- Making payments on Oracle.
- Collation of returns from institutions on spends for programmes, initial analysis of this information.
- Input into annual processes for programme spends (In Year Redistribution).
- Collation of audit returns.
- Undertaking finance adjustments at month and year ends.
- Monitoring the mailboxes for queries.
- Working flexibly across the team and shifting direction quickly to meet changing priorities and demands.
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.
Technical / Professional Skills:
- Change management - Awareness
- Data analysis - Working
- Understanding forecasting - Awareness
- Understanding governance - Awareness
You can find out more about the skills required, here: Finance Professions Capability Framework
Experience
- Experience in reviewing information from a range of data or information sources to draw out key findings and recommendations.
- Ability to evidence good written and verbal communications skills, and experience of engaging with colleagues or stakeholders at all levels. [SN1.1]
- The ability to work on your own with minimal supervision, alongside managing your own workload and competing deadlines.
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Behaviours:
- Making Effective Decisions - Level 1
- Changing and Improving - Level 1
- Delivering at Pace - Level 1
- Working Together - Level 1
Find out more about Success Profiles.
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 750 words) providing evidence of how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above. Both the CV and the supporting statement provided will be assessed against the criteria for the role.
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.
Skilled Worker Sponsorship being offered
This role has been assessed as eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship and is therefore being advertised with the option of sponsorship where required. Any offer of sponsorship remains subject to the individual meeting all other relevant Home Office eligibility and compliance requirements at the time of appointment.
Skilled Worker Sponsorship being offered at reduced rate
This role has been assessed as eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship only where a reduced salary threshold applies. Sponsorship may therefore be offered to candidates who meet the Home Office criteria for a reduced rate (for example, but not limited to, New Entrant eligibility), subject to all other relevant eligibility and compliance requirements at the time of appointment.
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.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 26th October 2026 in person at Saughton House, Edinburgh. However this may be subject to change.
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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.
Qualifications
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 Code and 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.
Working pattern
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 aim to 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.
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, and read about the Government Vetting Charter, or about all the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.
Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application.
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.
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