Policy Official

The purpose of this time-limited role is to work with the DYW Employer Network (EN) and stakeholders across government to design and implement a more sustainable model for the employment of staff and delivery of outcomes for the DYW EN. 

DYW is a flagship government intervention aimed at connecting young people and schools to employers. The Employer Network currently oversees activity organised by regional and school coordinators, via a network of grant-administered host relationships. 

As part of the reform agenda, and within PfG, Ministers have set out their intention to improve the quality of career support including in schools; improving the work of DYW, including by putting this on a more sustainable footing is an important element of these commitments.  

In addition to working with the network and Ministers to agree and implement a model for change, the post holder will work with closely with partners including the Careers Team, Education Reform Directorate and Education Scotland to ensure that the work of the EN contributes meaningfully to the overall careers offering in schools. 

This is an exciting post which will suit someone experienced, capable of building strong relationships across and beyond government and focused on developing and delivering tangible propositions that can be translated into change plans for implementation.   

This is a 24-month fixed-term role.

Responsibilities

•    Lead on building and maintaining positive stakeholder relationships by working with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the DYW Employer Forum and Lead of the DYW National Team on options for the future sustainability of the Developing the Young Workforce Employer Network. 

•    Contribute to the development of policy and strategy for post school education and skills reform 

•    Gathering and analysing evidence / data

•    Working with stakeholders to explore, assess and test potential options for change

•    Designing new systems / identifying ways to improve existing ones and leading that change 

•    Prepare briefing and advice (for senior officials and/or Ministers)

•    Manage the drafting and preparation of official documents (including guidance, publications) and contribute to communications activity (incl. media, speeches, visits)

•    Contribute to policy design and development (incl. strategy, appraisal, impact assessment, monitoring, evaluation etc)

•    Tender advice on policy specific areas of reform to, or through, a member of the Senior Civil Service (usually Divisional Head level)
 

Success profile

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

Experience 

• Candidates should be able to demonstrate experiencing of policy development and external stakeholder management. 

Key Behaviours 

• Working Together – Level 3
• Delivering at pace – Level 3
• Communicating and influencing – Level 3
• Changing and Improving – Level 3

You can find out more about Success Profiles here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide -

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 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.  

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 an interview and presentation. 

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 8 December however this may be subject to change.

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, 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. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Working Pattern

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.

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.

This post is open to Internal Scottish Government candidates and Common Citizenship organisations only.