Scottish Government
International Trade Official

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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
Business Area/Directorate – Inward Investment Unit, Exports & Inward Investment Division, Directorate for International Trade & Investment
Location – Atlantic Quay, Glasgow / Victoria Quay, Edinburgh
Working Arrangement –
Staff in roles compatible with hybrid working should aim to spend 40% of their contracted working time working in person at their contractual workplace. More information can be found within Hybrid Working Policy [https://scotsconnect.sharepoint.com/sites/saltireredirect?siteId=mylifeandcareer&pageId=8c5a454f-11b6-4349-a97e-96ba6acf3f51&pageParams=working-in-person-hybrid-working]
Grade - B2
Advert type - Level Transfer
Duration - Permanent
Eligibility -
Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer from Core SG only.
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.
Overview
We have an opportunity for a B2 to join the Inward Investment Unit on a permanent basis to support delivery of policy which sits at the centre of the Scottish Government’s work to deliver Scotland’s Inward Investment Plan, helping position Scotland as a world-leading destination for high-value, sustainable investment. This is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to broaden their international experience and join a fast moving policy area.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Key responsibilities
- Act as the first point of contact for enquiries to the team, providing advice and appropriate signposting.
- Shape high-quality briefings supporting high-profile inward investment activity in Scotland and internationally, including overseas engagements and play a key role in ministerial engagement, providing official support at meetings.
- Own and maintain the Inward Investment Unit’s suite of core briefing materials and portfolio of inward investment success stories that showcase Scotland’s competitive strengths.
- Draft clear and concise responses to MiCases, Freedom of Information requests, and Parliamentary Questions (PQs), while offering insightful input and advice to wider policy teams.
- Maintain and contribute to essential team management information, including the Divisional Forward Look and team engagement tracker, ensuring information is current and accurate.
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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:
Work autonomously to proactively manage workloads to meet deadlines.
Behaviours:
- Communicating and influencing – (Level 3)
- Delivering at pace - (Level 3)
- Working with others – (Level 3)
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide [https://www.gov.scot/publications/success-profiles-candidate-guide/pages/behaviour-levels/]
QUALIFICATIONS
Working Pattern
This post is a full-time role, but we welcome applications from staff with different working patterns, proposed working patterns will be assessed 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 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.
Further Information
Further information about this opportunity is available from Amanda Dutton [Amanda.Dutton@gov.scot].
How to Apply
Please submit 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 Wednesday 23 September.
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 [https://www.gov.scot/publications/recruitment-candidate-guide/pages/use-of-ai-tools/] for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an informal discussion.
Discussions are scheduled for w/c TBC.
For any questions relating to your expression of interest please contact Amanda Dutton
Recruitment Principles
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles [https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/document/02a-recruitment-principles-april-2018-final/?d102_cookies_enabled=all] and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.


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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 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/].
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 [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-baseline-personnel-security-standard], or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide [https://www.gov.scot/publications/recruitment-candidate-guide/pages/pre-employment-checks/].
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.
Apply before: 23/09/2026 (23:59). This role is open to substantive B2 colleagues from core SG only.
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