Policy and Business Support Assistant - Modern Apprenticeship

Policy and Business Support Assistant – Modern Apprenticeship

Join to apply for the Policy and Business Support Assistant – Modern Apprenticeship role at The Scottish Government

The Scottish Government provided pay range

This range is provided by The Scottish Government. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Are you looking for an opportunity where you can make a real difference, while working in a supportive and inclusive environment with limitless career options? The Directorate for Public Service Reform is primarily responsible for ensuring Scotland’s public services are fiscally sustainable in the long‑term and people across the country can access the support they need, where and when they need it most. It focuses on reforming public and third sector services to support vulnerable communities and, ensure there is the right infrastructure in place to help the most vulnerable in our communities and deliver the ambitions of the resource spending review. The Directorate promotes a positive working environment rooted in civil service values, with a strong emphasis on learning, development, and collaboration. We have two modern apprenticeship posts available. One of these will sit within the PSR Strategy, Programme and Governance Unit and the other will sit within the Public Bodies Support Unit. These are exciting posts designed to provide a unique opportunity to join a high profile and complex policy directorate. Bespoke tailored inductions and training will be provided on all aspects of each role and individuals will receive support and coaching from the directorate Business Management Unit. In addition to this, both post‑holders will work towards obtaining an SQA Qualification (SVQ) in Business and Administration.

Responsibilities

• Manage a shared mailbox, ensuring emails are allocated and processed promptly.
• Commission policy information from internal and external stakeholders, ensuring timely responses.
• Arrange unit meetings, commissioning papers in advance and organising logistics.
• Maintain unit distribution lists and policy briefing tracker.
• Support external events by providing administrative and logistical assistance.
• Carry out general ad‑hoc tasks as required, in line with the role.
• Provide Information Management Support Officer (IMSO) support to the directorate, responding to requests in a timely manner.
• Raise purchase orders, receipt and submit to Finance for payment, ensuring prompt processing in line with Scottish Government (SG) policy.
• Manage the directorate budget tracker, ensuring accuracy and preventing duplicate payments.
• Act as a Requisitioner for processing invoices and grant payments using PECOS and Oracle systems.

Success Profile

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

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing – Level 1
• Working Together – Level 1
• Managing a Quality Service – Level 1
• Developing Self and Others – Level 1

How To Apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the four Behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. Stage one (application sift): Candidates will have their applications assessed against all success profile criteria listed above unless there is a large number of applications, in which case, the following process will apply: An initial sift will be conducted using the CV and supporting statement on the Communicating and Influencing Behaviour as listed above. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed against the rest of the Behaviours. Stage two (interview and in‑tray exercise): If successful at application sift, you will be invited to an interview and in‑tray exercise where we will test all criteria 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. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 1 December 2025, however this may be subject to change.

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.

Apply Before

Apply Before: 4 November 2025 (23:59)