Senior Open Government Policy Officer

• Locations Edinburgh, United Kingdom Glasgow, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
• Working Pattern Full Time
• Number of Openings 1
• Apply Before 03/09/2026, 11:59 PM

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.

• 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

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.

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.

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.