Want to build influential relationships and help support the delivery of a Minister's priorities?
Please note there are x2 vacancies available.
We are looking for two highly organised and enthusiastic individuals to join a busy and high-profile Private Office, supporting the Advocate General at the heart of Government. This is a varied and fast-paced role that offers the opportunity to work closely with the Minister, balancing competing priorities while helping to identify and implement improvements to ways of working. Success in the role will require strong attention to detail, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, and confidence in building a sophisticated understanding of the stakeholders, organisations and issues relevant to the Advocate General's work. You will play a key role in developing effective relationships and communicating with the Minister, senior officials across Government, including No.10, and a range of external stakeholders, enabling the office to anticipate and respond quickly to emerging issues.
The Advocate General is a UK Government Minister and Law Officer. She provides legal advice to Government departments on a wide range of issues, including human rights and constitutional matters. She is the Government’s principal legal adviser on Scots law and the Scottish devolution settlement. She is also a member of a Cabinet committee and undertakes parliamentary work on behalf of Government. The Advocate General is based in Edinburgh, with regular visits to London.
In addition to supporting the Advocate General, the Office of the Advocate General (OAG) is the UK Government’s Scottish legal team. It has staff based in Dover House in Whitehall and Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh.
Private Office is an energetic, small but busy team with exposure to a wide variety of the most high-profile and interesting matters within Government. It is the interface between the Minister and her department, wider Government and external stakeholders. Private Office currently comprises a Senior Private Secretary and Assistant Private Secretary based in Whitehall, and two Assistant Private Secretaries based in Edinburgh.
Responsibilities:
Contribute to the delivery of a professional and high-quality private office service to the Minister: leading on logistics for meetings and engagements; timely provision of information and briefings; support for meetings and engagements; making travel arrangements; effective and strategic diary management, including leading regular meetings with the Minister to coordinate the diary.
Develop and maintain strong relationships across the department, wider Government, and external stakeholders, being assertive and confident in advocating and driving forward the Minister’s priorities as well as protecting and promoting her interests.
Engage with the wider office and other departments to secure the timely provision of effective advice and support to the Minister.
Lead on various portfolio areas in Private Office.
Contribute to delivery of the wider responsibilities of Private Office as appropriate, including cover for the Senior Private Secretary.
Post holders will be based in Queen Elizabeth House, Edinburgh. The roles involve:
Some travel to London, and occasional travel accompanying the Advocate General on visits to other parts of the UK or abroad.
Some evening and weekend working, with a team rota for evening and weekend duty.
In-person working when business needs require and in accordance with in office attendance policy.
Responsibilities
Success Profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on.
Experience:
Experience of working within a private office environment is desirable, but not essential.
Proven experience of developing effective working relationships with Ministers and/or senior officials, using strong communication, interpersonal and team working skills.
Behaviours:
- Working together – Level 3
- Making effective decisions – Level 3
- Delivering at pace – Level 3
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) providing evidence of how you meet the behaviours and experience listed in the Success Profile above. Both the CV and the supporting statement provided will be assessed against the criteria for the role.
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 some form of secondary assessment.
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 31 August 2026 however this may be subject to change.
Qualifications
Recruitment Principles
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.
Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered
Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
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 observing the Civil Service Code and 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.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Working pattern
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).
In addition to the standard pre-employment checks, this vacancy will also require all candidates to obtain National Security Vetting (NSV) at Security Check (SC) clearance level. This type of check normally includes meeting a minimum UK residency period, which for SC level is 5 years.
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.
Equality statement
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 commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further information
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.
This post is open to Internal Scottish Government candidates and Common Citizenship organisations only.
Apply before Sunday 16 August 2026 at 23.59.
Assistant Private Secretary to AGS employer: Scottish Government
The Scottish Government offers a dynamic and supportive work environment, where you can make a significant impact on customer service and safeguarding across Scotland. With a strong focus on employee development and innovation, you will have access to numerous growth opportunities while working alongside a dedicated team committed to excellence in public service. Join us in shaping a high-performing organisation that values collaboration and strives for transformative results.
