Scottish Government
Further Education Student Support Communications and Outreach Officer
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The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. The Agency is responsible for the administration of student financial support to eligible students studying a course of Higher Education within the UK. SAAS supports approximately 160,000 students annually with the administration of over £1 billion of financial support.
SAAS has taken on the administration of Further Education Student Support. This is an entirely new function for the Agency and is part of Post-School Education and Skills Reform. SAAS will become the single funding body for student support in Scotland.
This post sits within the Policy, Strategy and Governance Directorate of SAAS and will support the administration of Further Education Student Support (FESS), including Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) to eligible students studying at college. The role will also contribute to wider outreach, stakeholder engagement and communications activity across the Directorate.
The successful candidate will play a key role in developing and delivering communications, stakeholder engagement and outreach activity to support the transition of FE student support to SAAS. Working closely with colleagues across SAAS, the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Government, colleges and third sector partners, the postholder will help raise awareness of the support available to learners and ensure stakeholders receive clear, accessible and timely information.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a significant change programme, helping to shape how SAAS engages with learners, colleges and partners as it expands its role as Scotland's single funding body for student support and to develop operational development and delivery skills.
More information on SAAS can be found on our website https://www.saas.gov.uk/.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities
- Deliver and support the development of a programme of outreach and engagement activities and presentations providing student funding advice and information sessions for learners, parents, carers and relevant stakeholders.
- Support the development and implementation of communications and engagement plans to raise awareness of FE Student Support to internal and external stakeholders.
- Collaborate with colleagues to develop and maintain accessible guidance, presentations, digital content and stakeholder communications relating to new FE initiatives.
- Liaise with business areas to plan, support and deliver FESS related internal and corporate communications, aligned with our overarching Internal Communications Strategy.
- Support engagement with new and existing stakeholder networks to raise awareness of FE funding.
- Work with the Policy and Communication teams to review content for the Student Information Scotland (SIS) website.
- Support gathering and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data from outreach activities to identify trends to improve the student experience.
- Work flexibly across the Policy, Strategy and Governance Directorate supporting wider communications, engagement and policy delivery priorities.
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QUALIFICATIONS
Success Profiles
Success Profiles have been developed by the Professions and can be found in the Job Profile for the individual role.
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 of:
- Developing and delivering communications, stakeholder engagement, outreach or customer information activities.
- Education funding, student support or the Further Education sector would be advantageous but is not essential.
Behaviours
- Delivering at Pace (Level 2)
- Changing and Improving (Level 2)
- Communicating and Influencing (Level 2)
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here https://www.gov.scot/publications/success-profiles-candidate-guide/pages/behaviour-levels/.
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 1000 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.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and Presentation.
Expected Timeline (Subject to change)
- Sift - week commencing 12th October 2026
- Interviews - week commencing 19th October 2026
- Location - Online via MS Teams
This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only (external candidates and staff from UK Other Government Departments are not eligible to apply for this vacancy).
This is a Fixed Term Appointment for 2 years.
A driving licence would be preferred but is not essential.
Skilled Worker Sponsorship
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.
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Recruitment Principles
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles [https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-principles/] and we investigate any complaints [https://www.gov.scot/publications/recruitment-candidate-guide/pages/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 [https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/about-us/], observing the Civil Service Code [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-code/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 [https://www.jobs.gov.scot/what-we-offer].
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules [https://www.gov.scot/publications/recruitment-candidate-guide/pages/nationality-requirements/].
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. Candidates should note that SAAS operate a hybrid policy of a minimum six days per month (at least one day per week) in the office (Saughton House). If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
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 [https://www.jobs.gov.scot/an-inclusive-organisation] and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments [https://www.jobs.gov.scot/requesting-adjustments-2] 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 [https://www.jobs.gov.scot/].
Read our Candidate Guide [https://www.gov.scot/publications/recruitment-candidate-guide/pages/introduction/] for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot [recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot]
Apply before 23:55 on Sunday 11th October 2026
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