Senior Scrutiny Officer (Climate Change)

Environmental Standards Scotland’s (ESS) role is to monitor, investigate and secure public authorities’ compliance with environmental law in Scotland. We also scrutinise the effectiveness of environmental law and policy in Scotland and how it is implemented and applied. In our investigative and analytical reports, we may also identify instances where we consider there to be gaps in environmental protection legislation. ESS is an independent non‑ministerial office, accountable to the Scottish Parliament and overseen by a non‑executive board. It is part of the Scottish Administration and its employees are civil servants. ESS’ role is expanding to take on two new roles: scrutinising the Scottish Government’s delivery against the new statutory biodiversity and nature restoration targets which will be set under the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026, and scrutinising local authorities’ reporting against climate change duties as set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the Head of Department and Principal Scrutiny Officer to develop an effective approach to how ESS will scrutinise local authorities’ implementation of their climate change duties.
• Identifying, summarising, interpreting and presenting evidence on the way in which local authorities in Scotland implement their climate change duties.
• Identifying and engaging with relevant stakeholders to access support, advice and opinion on climate change best practice.
• Obtaining, by way of written requests for information, calls and meetings, research and consultation with other staff, all substantive, relevant information pertinent to matters under consideration.
• Identifying potential issues for investigation.
• Assisting in the planning and managing of the team in achieving planned outputs as agreed with the Head of Department and Principal Scrutiny Officer.
• Assisting the Head of Department and Principal Scrutiny Officer in providing high quality information on any aspect of the work of the team.
• Working collaboratively and flexibly with colleagues across ESS on key operational work streams to support the development of effective and efficient processes and systems within ESS.
• Representing ESS, and supporting and co‑ordinating relationships with key external senior stakeholders in central and local government and the wider environmental sector.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience of using analytical skills to explore issues and reach decisions based on evaluating a range of evidence, preferably in relation to legally complex matters involving the implementation and interpretation of law.
• Proven experience in developing and maintaining strong working relationships with internal and senior external stakeholders.
• Proven experience of producing high‑quality, formal, written reports that are clear, comprehensive and which have withstood scrutiny.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, including the ability to balance competing demands.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working in environmental science, law, policy or regulation.

Qualifications / Experience

We are looking for candidates with a minimum of four years proven experience working in a scrutiny‑focused organisation (for example: inspection, audit, regulatory, or evaluation).

Person Specification

• Experience of working in a team at pace to deliver high‑quality products or service.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to establish strong working relations with a range of internal and senior external stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to work independently to deliver at pace, without sacrificing quality.

Behaviours

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

• Salary: £49,401.
• Environmental Standards Scotland contributes £14,311 towards your membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit pension scheme.
• Enrolment in the Civil Service pension scheme.
• Flexible working options and flexitime.
• 25 days annual leave with an increase to 30 days after two years of reckonable service, plus 11.5 days of public and privilege holidays.
• Six months full pay for maternity, adoption or shared parental leave, five weeks full pay for paternity leave and paid leave for any antenatal appointments.
• Range of paid special leave including leave for carers and bereavement leave.
• Strong commitment to investing in the personal and professional development of all staff.
• Dedicated wellbeing support and services for all staff, including access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Exceptional workplace adjustment support to remove barriers to enable staff to achieve their full potential.

Working Hours and Location

Full‑time roles consist of 35 hours per week; part‑time, job‑share or compressed hours are also available with a minimum requirement of 28 hours per week over at least four days. Minimum 40% of working time a month will be spent at the designated office (Thistle House, Edinburgh Haymarket). Hybrid working is a non‑contractual arrangement and may be accommodated subject to business requirements.

Nationality & Visa Requirements

Visa Sponsorship is not offered for this role. This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals; nationals of Commonwealth countries with the right to work in the UK; nationals of the Republic of Ireland; nationals of EU, EEA, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein with settled or pre‑settled status or who applied for status by the deadline of the EU Settlement Scheme; relevant EU/EEA/Swiss/Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service; related family members; individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme on or before 31 December 2020; Turkish nationals and certain family members.

Equal Opportunities

Environmental Standards Scotland is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from a wide range of backgrounds.