Senior Policy Officer (Grade E3) in Edinburgh

To develop and lead the delivery against SFC’s statutory duties and strategic framework in relation to student interests and high-quality learning and teaching. This role will support SFC to better understand the student, learner and apprentice experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the implementation of SFC’s approach to student interests, including the creation of opportunities for students, learners and apprentices to engage with and participate in the work of SFC.
• Identification of current student interest priorities to support focused and meaningful action to reduce or remove barriers to success.
• Work with others to develop student interests related external communications activity, including the development and implementation of a range of engagement events and activities.
• Develop and lead the implementation of the SFC’s approach to reporting on the outcomes of student interests activity.
• Support colleagues to understand the impact of funding and wider policy decisions on students, learners and apprentices.
• Maintain and develop knowledge of the tertiary system and relevant policy areas.
• Research, produce and present briefing notes, reports, presentations and papers as required for SFC senior management and key internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the management of relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and represent SFC at external meetings, conferences and other events.
• Work in partnership with the Internal Communications Officer to lead the student interests internal communications activity.
• This post may include management of funding through the Strategic Investment and Infrastructure Fund and line management of staff and paid student interns.
• Contribute flexibly to the work of the wider directorate and other groups in SFC as appropriate.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise:

Essential:

• Experience of community engagement and/or working in partnership with service users.
• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Excellent research, analytical and reporting skills.
• Strong organisational and project management abilities.
• Experience of managing and developing staff.
• Demonstrable policy development or implementation experience.
• Degree level education (SCQF level 9) or equivalent experience.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in partnership with students, learners and/or apprentices.
• Knowledge of the further and/or higher education sector.
• Experience of delivering training or similar activities.

Terms and Benefits:

• Normal full-time hours of work are 35 per week with flexible working arrangements considered.
• Annual leave entitlement of 30 days pro-rata, plus public and privilege holiday entitlement of 13 days pro-rata.
• A flexible approach to hybrid working.
• Annual pay review within the framework of the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy.
• Eligibility to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
• Support for continuous professional development.
• Support for health and wellbeing, including generous occupational sick pay.
• Support for travel to and from work.

General information for applicants for SFC roles:

You must already be eligible to work in the UK to apply for these roles. SFC do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skills Worker License and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. We are pleased to support applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, socio-economic background, gender, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief.