Policy Official - C1 in Edinburgh

This opportunity is only open to applicants who are currently 'Priority Movers'. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered. We have a permanent C1 post which sits within the Population Health Directorate, Public Health Capabilities Division.

The role leads policy and governance work relating to the statutory funeral sector inspection and enforcement regime established under the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 and the Burial and Cremation (Inspection) (Scotland) Regulations 2025. While inspectors are now being appointed, there remains a material programme of outstanding legislative and implementation work required for the inspection and enforcement regime to be fully operational. Several provisions of the 2016 Act are not yet commenced. This post plays a central role in progressing those provisions, supporting completion of implementation and helping to realise the full benefits of legislation already passed. This work also reduces the inefficiencies and risks associated with prolonged partial delivery of the regime.

The team’s focus is on the effective operation, governance and assurance of the national funeral sector inspection system. The role provides oversight of inspection activity while maintaining appropriate separation between independent inspectors and Ministerial governance. The postholder provides leadership within the policy area, works closely with inspectors and internal partners (including legal and communications colleagues), and provides advice and assurance to senior officials and Ministers. The role includes leadership and oversight responsibilities but does not involve carrying out inspections.

The postholder will lead and manage policy, legislative and governance activity relating to funeral sector inspections, including:

• Briefing and advice - Providing clear, evidence based advice to senior officials and Ministers on the operation of the inspection and enforcement regime, legislative progress, emerging risks and options for action.
• Correspondence - Overseeing and contributing to Ministerial correspondence, briefings, Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information responses relating to funeral sector inspections and implementation of the 2016 Act.
• Drafting and preparation of official documents - Leading the drafting and quality assurance of inspection related guidance, reports and published materials, including content for the national inspection register.
• Communications activity - Working with communications colleagues on inspection related publications, announcements and handling of sensitive or high profile issues.
• Participation and engagement - Engaging with inspectors, sector representatives and other stakeholders to support understanding of the inspection regime and forthcoming legislative changes.
• Collaboration across government - Working closely with legal advisers, policy colleagues and other directorates to progress commencement of outstanding legislative provisions and support effective governance.
• Policy design and development - Using learning from inspections, enforcement and appeals to inform policy development, future legislative amendments and guidance updates.
• Policy delivery - Leading delivery of governance, assurance and implementation activity required to move the inspection and enforcement regime from partial to full operation.
• Development and instruction of legislation - Leading and supporting work to commence outstanding provisions of the 2016 Act and to develop or amend secondary legislation as required.
• Governance and risk management - Leading governance arrangements for inspection activity, including quality assurance of inspection reports, oversight of enforcement action, and identification and escalation of sector wide risks linked to partial implementation.
• Project and programme management - Managing workstreams related to legislative commencement, system development and ongoing improvement of the inspection regime.
• Organisational leadership and management - Providing leadership within the policy area, setting direction and priorities, and contributing to wider divisional and directorate objectives.
• People management and development - Providing professional leadership and oversight to inspection services, supporting effective ways of working while respecting inspector independence.
• Development of the Policy Profession - Contributing to policy capability through sharing learning, supporting good practice and developing colleagues.

This role is a permanent level transfer position.

Applications for this position will only be accepted from C1 grade employees. Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words). Vacancy closes at 11:59pm on Sunday the 31st May.

All applications will be invited to an informal discussion with the hiring manager. Informal discussions are to be confirmed.

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact donna.mcleod@gov.scot. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.