General Information

The Scotland Office supports the Secretary of State for Scotland, promoting the best interests of Scotland within a stronger United Kingdom. It ensures Scottish interests are fully and effectively represented at the heart of the UK Government, and that the UK Government's responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland. This role sits within the Policy Division of the Scotland Office and will be based in Edinburgh. The Policy Division is made up of three teams: International Affairs and Security, Domestic Policy, and Local Growth and City Deals. This role sits within the International Affairs and Security Team (IAS). It plays a key role delivering the Brand Scotland agenda, a priority of the Secretary of State for Scotland. IAS covers a diverse range of high profile policy areas, within the context of our core function to support Ministerial priorities. As such, the post-holder will be required to work flexibly, collaborating within and across teams on new policy areas and priorities as they arise. Responsibilities This is a fast paced, high output and varied role, including, but not limited to:

• Lead on Defence-related issues, own the strategic relationship with MOD, the armed forces and defence industry
• Lead on Defence ministerial correspondence and advice.
• Support delivery of "Brand Scotland", a key ministerial priority, particularly on defence trade and investment.
• Supporting the delivery of international trade missions.
• Providing advice and support to the Secretary of State, Ministers and Special Advisors on defence and security policy areas.
• Working closely with other Whitehall departments including the Ministry of Defence to advise on policy developments, in particular devolution assessments and ensuring UK Government policy decisions are relevant, applicable and impactful in a Scottish context.
• Represent the Scotland Office in Whitehall and externally at meetings, working groups, events and with key stakeholders;
• Drafting Cabinet Committee, Ministerial and official correspondence on policy issues. In addition, preparing responses to correspondence, Parliamentary Questions and FOI requests as well as briefing for meetings, visits and events to the expected standard and within timeframes;
• Some travel within the UK and internationally will be required, The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended). Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet. Flexible working hours The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy., As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team. For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos. Diversity & Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Redeployment Interview Scheme Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'. MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.


• Proven strategic thinking and practical delivery skills, with the intellectual curiosity to understand the wider context within which you work;
• Excellent communication and influencing skills;
• Excellent drafting skills. The role will require drafting ministerial advice and correspondence
• A good knowledge of either the defence, national security or international policy landscape
• A track record of building constructive and impactful relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including Other Government Departments and industry partners
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and delivering events would be a bonus
• A commitment to learning and developmenEssential criteria
+ Ability to prepare clear and succinct policy advice, recommendations and briefings to Government Ministers, Special Advisors and senior colleagues. + Excellent written and verbal communication skills. + Strong communication and interpersonal skills involving a wide range of stakeholders, both internally and externally, at all levels. Must be confident in dealing with senior stakeholders including ministers. + Ability to think strategically, making links across organisational and subject boundaries to deliver shared outcomes. + Strong planning and organisation skills including the ability to balance competing priorities to meet tight deadlines. + Ability to travel frequently within Scotland and to London. Desirable criteria + Experience of working in a fast-paced environment, with high levels of personal autonomy. + Experience of working in one or more policy areas simultaneously, or a demonstrable ability to quickly develop a credible level of expertise and judgement. + Experience of working with industry stakeholders + Experience in or a keen interest in defence and international relations.

The national salary range is £35,335- £37,847. London salary range is £40,014 - £42,859. Your salary will be dependent on your base location, The MoJ offers a range of benefits: Annual Leave Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. Pension The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best. Training The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities. Networks The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. Eligibility Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition. Vacancies advertised "cross-government" are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules. Support
• A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
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