Scottish Attainment Challenge Policy Officer

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

Location: Victoria Quay

Working Arrangement: This post is based in Victoria Quay and in line with our current ways of working, our team follows a flexible, hybrid working approach. The team works from Victoria Quay at least two days per week.

Duration: 6 Months

Eligibility: Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer. 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: This role is at the forefront of delivering the high-profile Scottish Attainment Challenge (SAC), the Government’s flagship programme to close the poverty-related attainment gap. The post will be based in the Attainment and Achievement Policy Unit, in a friendly and supportive team which manages the Scottish Attainment Challenge programme and its funding streams, including Pupil Equity Funding (PEF), Strategic Equity Funding (SEF), Care Experienced Children and Young People (CECYP) funding and some national programmes.

This is an exciting time to join the policy area, with the opportunity over the coming months to be involved in activities to engage with the education system to shape potential options for the long-term future of the policy to meet the needs of the incoming Government. In supporting this work in this cross-cutting policy area, you will have the opportunity to work with a range of internal and external partners and stakeholders, including Education Scotland, local authorities, third sector, and organisations representing young people and parents & carers, as well as colleagues across government.

This role will include work across all the main funding streams of the Scottish Attainment Challenge (up to £200m p/a) and supporting a suite of policy and operational communications activities. The policy unit is also responsible for the SAC Framework for Recovery and Accelerating Progress, which includes a requirement for local authorities to set local stretch aims for raising attainment and closing the poverty-related attainment gap. The policy unit oversees that process, aggregating and publishing those local stretch aims for progress in closing the poverty-related attainment gap.

The SAC programme is delivered jointly with Education Scotland. A key feature of this role is close partnership working with Education Scotland colleagues. The Unit comprises a C3 Unit Head, 2 x C1 team leaders, 2 x B3s, 2 x B2s (including this post) and 2 x B1s. Applicants must be flexible, adaptable, and proactive, learning quickly from on-going partnership working.

Responsibilities:

• Support the management of the team’s various grant functions for PEF, SEF, CECYP and national programmes, with oversight of processes for recording and processing grant payments, including drafting and issuing grant letters.
• Developing and delivering a process for recording, sharing, and reviewing local authority plans for tackling the poverty-related attainment gap and for supporting care experienced children and young people, including their “stretch aims” for progress and their financial plans, liaising with relevant team members, Education Scotland colleagues and local authorities.
• Support the delivery of the communications and engagement strategy for the SAC programme, including activities to highlight the impact it’s having on children and young people, in co-ordination with policy workstream leads, Education Scotland and communications teams.
• Lead on the planning and delivery of visits for Ministers and Senior Officials, collaborating as required with colleagues in Education Scotland and the wider Education Directorate; as well as local authorities and schools. This will include opportunities for the post-holder to visit schools, local authorities, and other education settings.
• Working collaboratively across the wider unit, supporting work undertaken across the PEF, SEF and CECYP programmes; and on future plans for the programme.
• Engage with and support key stakeholders, including a number of third sector partners to support their work as part of the SAC programme, and liaise with SAC related networks, such as the “Virtual School Headteacher Network” to support care experienced children and young people; and similarly work with colleagues across other policy areas on shared objectives related to closing the poverty-related attainment gap.
• Contribute to work to develop cross-policy relationships covering, for example, additional support for learning, early learning and childcare, social justice and community learning and development.
• Engaging in the business of government, providing policy briefing to ministers and senior officials, lines to take, responses to PQs and MACCS and FOI requests related to the Scottish Attainment Challenge.
• Line management responsibility for B1 member of staff.

Qualifications:

• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads to meet competing deadlines, responding to immediate requests when required.
• Ability to use a range of information and data to identify and make informed decisions & recommendations to senior officials and/or Ministers.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with a wide range of internal / external stakeholders.
• Track record of working closely with others to identify and implement.

Behaviours Being Tested:

• Making Effective Decisions – Level 3
• Communicating and Influencing – Level 3
• Working Together – Level 3
• Delivering at Pace – Level 3

Further information about this opportunity is available from Lorna.Campbell3@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. Vacancies close at 11:59pm on the date displayed in the table, unless otherwise stated on the job advert.

Interviews: To be confirmed.

Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed by panel. Shortlisted candidates who are considered to have the skills and experience will be invited to interview with the hiring manager and another panel member. The panel will recommend the candidate considered most suitable for the post.