Scottish Government

Overview Locations Edinburgh, United Kingdom Glasgow, United Kingdom (Hybrid) Working Pattern Full Time Number of Openings 1 Apply Before 03/09/2026, 11:59 PM Role summary Do you want to work in an internationally-facing team that works to improve Scottish Government's approach to transparency, accountability and public participation? This role is based in the Open Government Unit in the Improving Public Engagement Division of DG Corporate. We are a small team with a large scope. This role reports to The Principal Research Officer line manager, alongside another Policy Officer. The team is overseen by the Head of Open Government. Our work focuses on developing and delivering Scotland's Open Government Action Plan in collaboration with national and international civil society partners, with the aim of improving Scottish Government's approach to transparency, accountability and public participation. Responsibilities As a Senior Open Government Policy Officer you will focus on the establishment and management of a new Participation Dynamic Purchasing System and of a new Participation Champions Network. In this role, you will lead work that involves applying procurement processes, supporting public participation and engagement, and collaborating with partners to drive improvement and change in line with our Open Government ambitions. Lead the establishment and management of a new Participation Dynamic Purchasing System Co-lead the establishment and management of Participation Champions Network Provide specialist information, guidance and support to policy colleagues planning their work, including development and delivery of training Support across Open Government Action Plan development and delivery: leading the collaborative work with commitment teams, stakeholder engagement, delivery of milestones under Participation commitment Deliver corporate requests and ad-hoc priorities to a high standard: minuting, briefing, PQs, FMQs, correspondence, FOIs Qualifications and skills Success Profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Technical / Professional Skills: Public Participation and Engagement (Practitioner) Understanding of procurement and its role in policy decisions (Practitioner) Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. 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 an interview and presentation. 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, 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. 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. 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). 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 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 23:59 on 9 March 2026.This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only.

A governmental organization in Scotland is looking for a Senior Open Government Policy Officer to enhance transparency and public engagement. This role involves creating a new Participation Dynamic Purchasing System and leading a Participation Champions Network. Ideal candidates should have expertise in public participation and an understanding of procurement processes. The position offers a hybrid work environment and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

A government agency in Edinburgh is seeking a Business Support Administrator. This role involves supporting around 350 legal professionals, assisting with court preparations, and managing legal documents. As part of a Modern Apprenticeship, the candidate will gain an SVQ qualification in Business Administration. The position is full-time with hybrid work options, offering opportunities for skill development in a dynamic legal environment. Interested applicants should submit a CV and a 750-word statement demonstrating their suitability.

Would you like the opportunity to grow, develop your analytical skills and build resilience working in a high-profile team responding to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry? The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is a major public inquiry that was established under statute and is independent of the Scottish Government. The purpose of the Inquiry is to raise awareness of the abuse of children in care, and in particular, to identify systemic failures that led to abuse happening. The Inquiry may make recommendations to improve legislation, policy, and practice. The Response Unit to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry sits within the Redress, Relations and Response Division of the Directorate for Children and Families, and co-ordinates the Scottish Government's representation to the Inquiry in its capacity as a core participant. To that end, the Unit anticipates and responds to the policy and wider implications of the Inquiry as it progresses. Part of the work of this role involves the analysis of Scottish Government records, as well as evidence which is released confidentially from the Inquiry to the Scottish Government. The work is personally and professionally rewarding but can also be challenging. As well as having access to a very supportive team, there will be bespoke professional support covering resilience and self-care available for staff working in the Response Unit. Responsibilities Analyse a range of material, including historical records relating to the care and protection of children in care, witness statements, inspection reports, social work records, Scottish Government policies etc. Produce high-quality, evidence-based research outputs, including reports and summaries derived from the analysis of a wide range of material and records (detailed above). Contribute insight to the Response Unit's understanding of a wide range of policies, regulations and legislation spanning 1930 to 2014. Build and sustain effective working relationships across teams and internal stakeholders within the Scottish Government to support the delivery of Inquiry-related actions. Enhance analytical practices within the team by promoting efficient approaches to analysis projects, assisting to inform policy coordination and decision-making. Demonstrate flexibility and collaboration by supporting colleagues across a high-performing team and contribute to unit and divisional priorities as needed. Support core functions, including assisting with drafting responses to Ministerial correspondence, Parliamentary Questions, First Minister's Questions (FMQs), MiCases and Freedom of Information (FoI) requests.

Overview Do you want to shape how Scotland measures what truly matters and turn strategy into results across government? This is a high-impact leadership role at the heart of government, offering a unique opportunity to shape strategic direction and drive organisational coherence. As Head of Delivery and Performance Transformation, you will lead the design and implementation of data-driven delivery, performance and accountability systems for the Scottish Government. You will collaborate across the organisation and the wider public sector to align these systems with the National Performance Framework and the Public Service Reform Strategy contributing to a coherent and consistent approach to accountability across public services in Scotland. The Strategy and Delivery Directorate (SDD) supports Ministers and senior leaders in setting Scotland's strategic direction. We provide insight, analysis, and delivery support to help shape policy and respond to emerging challenges. This role sits at the centre of that effort, working with stakeholders across Scottish Government and wider public services to develop delivery, performance and assurance systems that improve consistency, transparency and accountability. Responsibilities Engage regularly with stakeholders across Scottish Government, local government, public bodies and community planning partnerships to co design approaches to performance, assurance and delivery. Utilise strong working relationships with local government, the third sector and delivery partners to share expertise, understand operational realities and strengthen the link between national priorities and local implementation. Coordinate activity that improves accountability across multi level government and complex systems, ensuring alignment between national policy, local delivery bodies and external partners. Lead the development and embedding of intelligence led performance and accountability mechanisms that demonstrate a clear link between policy development and measurable delivery outcomes. Work with teams across the Strategy and Delivery Directorate to develop delivery and performance dashboards and reporting tools that support transparent and outcome focused decision making. Ensure performance and accountability frameworks become a practical and widely understood tool for policy teams, embedding delivery thinking at the start of policy development. Support wider organisational capability building around delivery, performance and assurance to embed best practice into policy development and implementation. Engage with Ministers, Senior Civil Servants and external leaders ensuring, alignment between policy ambition and delivery feasibility. Undertake line management responsibilities.