Scottish Government
Priority Projects Lead
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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 – Priority Projects Lead
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
Grade – C1
Advert type – Level Transfer
Duration - 10 months
Eligibility - Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer from Core SG only.
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.
Overview
The Scottish Government has serious ambitions to transform Scotland’s economy. The Directorate for Jobs and Wellbeing Economy is here to coordinate and deliver the Scottish Government's economic strategy, lead strategic interventions across government on the economy and the labour market, and drive the Fair Work agenda.
The Economic Growth Unit is part of the Economic Growth, Delivery and Finance Division within the Directorate but works across the DG and wider portfolio. The unit provides capacity to address policy questions and ministerial priorities which cut across the DG Economy portfolio and wider Scottish Government. It contributes to setting the Scottish Government’s overall economic strategy, playing a key role in shaping and steering the Economic strategy, including PfG Economy chapters. It is a flexible, responsive unit capable of quickly tackling emerging questions and issues across the broad spectrum of economic policy. The priority projects team is a dynamic and impactful part of DGE, deploying skilled people to lead high-priority, complex projects across DGE and beyond to support delivery of the economic growth mission. Projects typically last around 3 months and provide team members with a combination of high-profile policy development experience and exposure to a diverse range of economic issues. The team comprises of 2 C1 posts (including this role), 2 B3, 1 FS/GDP, and 1 B2.
This is a temporary position of up to 10 months to cover maternity leave. The role sits within the Economic Growth Unit’s priority projects team and is focused on delivering high-profile, complex projects that support the Scottish Government’s economic growth mission. The post-holder will work across DGE and wider SG, engaging Ministers, senior officials, policy teams, analysts, delivery partners and external stakeholders to understand issues quickly, shape evidence-based solutions and drive progress.
The post holder will lead and coordinate priority projects, agree project plans and remits, provide clear advice and progress updates, manage risks, and report on outcomes. The role also involves building collaborative relationships, supporting wider economic strategy and delivery, helping maintain the future project pipeline, and managing B-band staff within fast-moving project teams. It requires strong policy judgement, communication, project delivery, stakeholder engagement and leadership skills, with economic policy experience desirable but not essential.
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RESPONSIBILITIES
Key responsibilities
- Briefing and advice (for senior officials and/or Ministers)
Use excellent written and verbal communication skills to distil complex ideas into clear and concise advice to senior civil servants and Ministers in relation to project milestones and final outputs - Participation and engagement (with partners, stakeholders, public)
Engage with ministers and wider stakeholders to understand issues quickly and align project objectives and expected outcomes - Collaboration with other areas within government to progress policy outcomes
Build and maintain effective relationships across DGE and wider SG to quickly embed self and project team with established policy teams - Policy design and development (incl. strategy, appraisal, impact assessment, monitoring, evaluation etc)
Identify and evaluate evidence from a range of sources to assess options and make informed recommendations to improve policy outcomes in relation to economic growth - Project and/or Programme management to deliver policy objectives
Lead the delivery of priority projects programme in a timely and effective manner, often within short deadlines and amidst competing priorities - Organisational leadership and management (e.g. division, directorate, corporate)
Lead by example, contributing to the wider work of the Economic Growth Unit and ongoing work with the wider SG to advocate for our economic growth mission. Support Unit Head in developing and maintaining future project pipeline - People management and development (line and/or team management)
Manage one or more B-band staff, working closely with other C1 colleague to support team members in their project work and to respond to corporate correspondence, ministerial briefing, PQs etc.
QUALIFICATIONS
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:
- Policy Context and Purpose (Practitioner Level 2)
- Policy Delivery and Systems (Practitioner Level 2)
Experience:
The role requires experience leading high-profile, cross-cutting policy work in complex environments, with the ability to set direction, manage competing priorities, and deliver at pace under senior scrutiny.
Behaviours:
- Seeing the Big Picture - Level 4
- Making Effective Decisions - Level 4
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot
Working Pattern
The post is a full-time role, but staff with different working patterns are invited to apply, and we will assess proposed working patterns 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.
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How to Apply
Please submit an Expression of Interest (maximum 750 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 11:59pm on the date displayed in the table, unless otherwise stated on the job advert.
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 a light touch interview.
Discussions are scheduled for w/c 21st September, however this may be subject to change.
For any questions relating to your expression of interest please contact charlie.hogg@gov.scot
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.
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.
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
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