International Delivery and Performance Advisor in Edinburgh

This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity, available on a lateral move basis only. Applications are open to Core Scottish Government employees only.

Working Arrangement – Staff in roles compatible with hybrid working should aim to spend 40% of their contracted working time working in person at their contractual workplace. More information can be found within Hybrid Working Policy.

Grade - B2

Advert type - level transfer

Duration - Permanent

Eligibility - Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer from Core SG only. 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.

Overview: The Directorate for Culture and External Affairs (DCEA) brings together the Scottish Government’s work on Culture, Population and Migration, International Climate Change, External Affairs and International Development. The Directorate leads engagement at home and internationally to enhance Scotland's reputation, increase sustainable economic growth, pursue strategic interests overseas and strengthen international partnerships. This post sits within the International Strategy and Reputation Division, which works to strengthen Scotland’s international impact through coordinated delivery, effective performance management, and clear demonstration of outcomes across the international network.

Role Purpose: The postholder will play a key role in supporting delivery, performance and insight across Scotland’s international network, ensuring that activity is effectively tracked, measured and communicated. Working closely with analysts and the B3 International Network and Delivery Project Manager, the role will help strengthen how the organisation monitors progress, demonstrates impact and supports informed decision-making across international work.

Responsibilities:

• Performance Management and Delivery Tracking: Work with analytical colleagues to support a structured approach to setting objectives, tracking delivery and measuring outcomes across international activity. Lead routine monitoring and reporting processes, ensuring timely, accurate and consistent performance information. Support development of monitoring and evaluation approaches, improving how impact is evidenced.
• Reporting and Insight: Work with the B3 to contribute to reporting on international activity, ensuring outputs are clear, evidence-based and accessible. Collate and analyse information on international network activity, finance and key achievements. Provide insight to support senior leaders’ understanding of performance, risks and opportunities.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve approaches to measurement, reporting and use of data. Support increased transparency, consistency and professionalism in how international activity is tracked and communicated. Contribute to embedding more outcomes-focused ways of working.
• Governance and Senior Engagement Support: Support the B3 with preparation for International Board and Ministerial Group meetings, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information is available. Contribute to the development of briefing materials and performance summaries for senior stakeholders.
• Policy, Briefing and Corporate Responsibilities: Maintain up-to-date briefing on the international network, including key developments and achievements. Undertake FoIs, Parliamentary Questions (PQs), Ministerial Correspondence (MICASE) and briefing duties as required. Work flexibly across the team to support priority areas.
• Line Management: Line manages a B1 International Strategy and Public Diplomacy Policy Officer, supporting their development, performance and contribution to team objectives.

Qualifications:

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.

Behaviours: Working together – Level 2, Making effective decisions – Level 2, Communicating and influencing – Level 2.

Experience: Experience of supporting or delivering performance management, monitoring and evaluation activity, with strong analytical skills to interpret data and generate meaningful insights. Ability to produce clear, concise briefings and reports for senior audiences. Ability to work at pace, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs to tight deadlines.

Technical: Governance and Project Delivery – Level 2 – Practitioner, Evaluation – Level 1 – Developing.

Working Pattern: The post is a full-time role, but staff with different working patterns are invited to apply, and we will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for this post. There may be occasional travel to engage with staff in our international network to better understand and inform the operational aspects of this role. 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.

Further Information: Further information about this opportunity is available from lynsey.cullen-gibson@gov.scot or Kathryn.gosling@gov.scot.

How to Apply: Please submit an Expression of Interest (maximum 750 words) outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team. Please align this to how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above.

Vacancies close at 11:59pm on the date displayed in the table, unless otherwise stated on the job advert.

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 a light touch interview and a presentation. Discussions are to be confirmed.

You should also confirm that you have discussed this opportunity with your line manager and that they would be content to release you if the application is successful.

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.

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.

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). 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.