Scottish Government
Policy Official
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Policy Official
Business Area/Directorate
Education Directorate
Location
Edinburgh with hybrid working in line with Scottish Government policy.
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.
Grade
B2
Advert Type
Level transfer
Duration
Permanent
Eligibility
Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer from core SG only. Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to work in a high profile area at the heart of the Education Directorate, in a varied and interesting post supporting the delivery of both longstanding and new policy.
The Teaching Workforce Unit is part of the Workforce, Quality and Wellbeing Division which plays a key role in the Scottish education system, leading policy on teachers, school leadership, health and wellbeing and equalities. The work of the unit is highly varied and offers an excellent opportunity to work in a fast paced environment with extensive engagement with other policy teams, Ministers, and education stakeholders. This Unit is responsible for delivering the Government’s 2026 manifesto commitments to take forward a Teacher Jobs Guarantee and to maintain Pupil Teacher Ratios.
Responsibilities
- Liaising with Initial Teacher Education providers to secure student teacher intakes data and building this into a detailed and accessible data collection to inform annual teacher workforce planning process.
- Providing secretariat to various meetings throughout the year and building and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships.
- Supporting the team leader to take forward the development of a new teacher workforce strategy.
- Taking forward work, on behalf of the team, to collaborate with marketing colleagues to develop a marketing campaign to enhance teacher recruitment.
- Supporting the senior policy official and team leader in engaging with Ministers, developing briefings and submissions.
- Lead on MiCases and FOIs and other business of government tasks, ensuring timely delivery and that deadlines are met.
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Minimum Time in Post
You will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of three years unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade. You must discuss your intention to apply with your current line manager to help ensure release dates can be agreed.
Success Profile
Experience
- Strong planning and organisational skills with ability to deliver a varied workload, responding quickly and flexibly to manage competing priorities.
- Experience of building and maintaining good working relationships with a range of stakeholders, both internally and externally.
Behaviours
- Delivering at Pace (level 3)
- Making effective decisions (level 3)
- Communicating and Influencing (level 3)
- Working Together (Level 3)
Working Pattern
This post is a full-time role, but we welcome applications from staff with different working patterns. 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.
Qualifications
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.
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How to Apply
Vacancies close at 23:59pm on Thursday 8 October.
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, applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
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.
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).
Equality Statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
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: 08/10/2026 (23:59). This role is open to substantive B2 staff from core SG only.
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