Scottish Government
Senior Policy Official
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Senior Policy Official
Job Details
Job Title: Senior Policy Official
Business Area/Directorate: Planned Care Policy & Performance Team, Performance and Delivery Centre of Excellence, DG Health & Social Care
Location: Atlantic Quay / St Andrews House
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: B3
Advert Type: Level Transfer Only
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. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
Job Description
Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your leadership skills? Gain experience in the complex, dynamic and politically sensitive environment of health and social care? Then this may be the opportunity for you.
The Planned Care Policy & Performance team sits within the new Performance and Delivery Centre of Excellence. The overarching aim of the work is central to the NHS recovery plan which seeks to address the backlog in care and meet ongoing healthcare needs for people across Scotland.
We have an opportunity for 2 x B3 - Senior Policy Officials to join the Planned Care Team on a permanent basis to support the reduction in waiting times. You will lead a strong team in the delivery of ministerial priorities to improve access to and quality of healthcare, working with partners to achieve the recovery of planned care across NHS Scotland.
You will work in collaboration with several stakeholders across the Directorate including the Unscheduled Care and Flow Teams. You will also work closely with the East and West Sub-National Structures and the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) to deliver planned care actions including PfG commitments.
You will have line management responsibility, ensure regular monthly conversations are held and staff have the capacity, capability, information and skills to deliver the work required, including support with sensitive correspondence.
You will be required to be flexible and adaptable as the team develops.
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting implementation of planned care priorities and productive opportunities to support waiting times to return to balance.
- Line management for policy officers, providing leadership, direction, performance management and development support to ensure delivery of planned care and waiting times reductions.
- Developing high quality briefings for Ministers, ensuring they are aware of key issues and next steps, including supporting media lines on priority areas.
- Building strong relationships with the East and West Sub-National Structures and the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD), liaising closely on planned care delivery commitments.
- Supporting effective relationships with colleagues across the Division, Directorate and wider Scottish Government to support coordinated delivery across the health and social care system.
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Success Profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on, you should provide evidence of how you meet these in your statement.
Experience Required:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail and experience of providing high quality advice to Ministers or senior officials.
- Experience of collaborative team working, with a continuous improvement approach to deliver upon shared outcomes.
- Strong planning and Leadership skills, including the ability to balance competing priorities to meet deadlines in a high pressure, fast paced environment.
- Behaviours:
- Changing and Improving – Level 3
- Communicating and Influencing – Level 3
- Developing Self and others – Level 3
- Making Effective Decisions – Level 3
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.
Further Information
If you have specific questions about the role, please contact Ernesta Noreikiene - Ernesta.Noreikiene@gov.scot. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
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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 6 October.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by panel. Shortlisted candidates who are considered to have the skills and experience will be invited to interview with the hiring manager and another panel member. The panel will recommend the candidate considered most suitable for the post.
Interviews will be scheduled w/c 20 October, however, this may be subject to change.
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 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.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Apply Before
06/10/2026 (23:59). This role is open to substantive B3 staff from core SG only.
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