Community Learning and Development Policy Officer

Do you want to help transform the life chances of vulnerable people? Community Learning and Development (CLD) is a life-changing approach that provides essential support to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged learners in Scotland. Your role as a Policy Officer will place you at the centre of this important and high-profile work, at a time when CLD policy is going through once in a generation reform.

You will help lead the SG effort to develop and grow a strategic approach to drive change by engaging with SG policy teams in education, health, social justice and other areas; CoSLA; Education Scotland and the CLD Standards Council. You will be responsible for developing innovative approaches to fully integrate CLD practice using evidence gathered from a range of sources.

The CLD team is responsible for youth work, adult learning and ESOL delivery. The team’s top priority is preparing to implement the recommendations of the major independent review concluded last year to deliver better outcomes for CLD learners and practitioners.

As a key member of a small and friendly team that places high value on removing barriers related to equality and poverty, you will be supported to develop high quality skills related to the policy profession. The post links to a broad range of core skills and will provide you with the opportunity to work across the SG and build networks with a wide range of partner organisations.

• Take responsibility for discreet areas of work to develop CLD policy.
• Provide support across the CLD policy team through preparation of Ministerial briefings, correspondence and communications to stakeholders.
• Drafting briefs, Ministerial and official replies, PQs, and FoI requests.
• Drafting and preparation of official documents (including guidance, publications).
• Coordinate and communicate information related to media/social media activity.
• Work across other the Scottish Government and its agencies to progress policy outcomes.
• Assist with gathering, analysing and presenting data related to grant outcomes and objectives.
• Collaborate with the CLD team and other policy areas to offer insight on monitoring outcomes for learners who need most support.
• Proactively identify, source and analyse information in order to produce concise and accurate reports to draw out key findings that support decision-making.
• Develop innovative approaches for the future of CLD policy demonstrating the impact of services in achieving outcomes for people who need most support.
• Offer Ministerial advice on implementing the recommendations from the Learning: For All. For Life report published in July 2024.
• Support cross policy colleagues on policy initiatives which create better join up across SG.
• Provide secretariat support for the national Strategic Leadership Group, working closely with the Minister and CoSLA leaders to keep the group focused on actions and outcomes.

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

• Policy Context and Purpose - Level 1 (Developing)
• Data, Analysis and Scientific Advice - Level 1 (Developing)
• Governance and Project Delivery - Level 1 (Developing)
• Communicating and Influencing - Level 2.

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.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for mid-February however this may be subject to change.

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.

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. From October 2025, the Scottish Government will require staff in hybrid-compatible roles 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.