Scottish Government
Policy Manager - Low Income Benefits
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Expression of Interest (EOI) Opportunity
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 Manager-Low Income Benefits
Business Area/Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Location
Atlantic Quay / Victoria Quay
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
B3
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
This is an exciting role in a high-profile area involving regular engagement with Ministers, Parliament and external stakeholders. The wider unit contains three C1-led teams providing policy support across a total of 7 devolved benefits delivered by Social Security Scotland. This post will be largely focussed on our low income family benefits – Best Start Grant, Best Start Foods and Scottish Child Payment and will work flexibly with colleagues to provide support across the range of devolved benefits targeted at people on low incomes – payments which play a pivotal role in the Scottish Government’s mission to tackle child poverty.
The post holder will work closely with analysts, stakeholders and colleagues to identify trends and drive improvement across the entire range of Scottish Government low-income benefits, in line with Ministers’ Public Sector Reform Strategy.
Following a busy period in which the teams have been concentrating on developing the Two Child Limit Payment, the team will be working with Social Security Scotland and SGLD over the next year to plan and deliver a suite of legislative and technical changes with a view to a much clearer and simpler customer journey that ensures people receive all support they are entitled to, as well as potentially implementing proposals contained in the Scottish Budget or the next iteration of the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Typical Duties & Responsibilities
- Engage with stakeholders, clients and analysts to ensure a robust evidence base for Ministerial advice, covering the feasibility, desirability and affordability of policy options relating to the Five Family Payments.
- Developing and refining the policy approach in the live environment and leading on any necessary legislation to ensure delivery of the policy intent.
- Overseeing the delivery of effective support to Ministers, through timely and efficient provision of correspondence, Freedom of Information requests, Parliamentary Questions, visit support and other relevant business
- Lead on respective policy areas, including drafting of high-quality advice on policy development, maintenance of core briefing and lines, and reacting to various ad-hoc commissions.
- Collaborative work with wider Unit to progress the key findings from evaluation reports and help shape the future development of SG low-income benefits.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
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.
Professional/Technical Requirements:
- Policy Context & Purpose - Level 1
- Policy Delivery & Systems - Level 1
- Working With Ministers - Level 1
- Parliament & Law - Level 1
Behaviours - Level 3:
- Communicating & Influencing
- Working Together
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
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 SSD_WFP@gov.scot [SSD_WFP@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 Tuesday 15 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.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an informal discussion.
Discussions are scheduled for w/c TBC.
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.
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: 15/09/2026 (23:59). This role is open to substantive B3 staff in core SG only.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location