Senior Scrutiny Officer; Climate Change

Job Summary

Environmental Standards Scotland’s (ESS) role is to monitor, investigate and secure public authorities’ compliance with environmental law in Scotland. We also scrutinise the effectiveness of environmental law and policy in Scotland and how it is implemented and applied. In our investigative and analytical reports, we may also identify instances where we consider there to be gaps in environmental protection legislation.

ESS is an independent non‑ministerial office, accountable to the Scottish Parliament and overseen by a non‑executive board. It is part of the Scottish Administration and its employees are civil servants.

ESS’ role is expanding to take on two new roles: scrutinising the Scottish Government’s delivery against the new statutory biodiversity and nature restoration targets which will be set under the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026, and scrutinising local authorities’ reporting against climate change duties as set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

• Supporting the Head of Department and Principal Scrutiny Officer to develop an effective approach to how ESS will scrutinise local authorities’ implementation of their climate change duties.
• Identifying, summarising, interpreting and presenting evidence on the way in which local authorities in Scotland implement their climate change duties.
• Identifying and engaging with relevant stakeholders to access support, advice and opinion on climate change best practice.
• Obtaining, by way of written requests for information, calls and meetings, research and consultation with other staff, all substantive, relevant information pertinent to matters under consideration.
• Identifying potential issues for investigation.
• Assisting in the planning and managing of the team in achieving planned outputs as agreed with the Head of Department and Principal Scrutiny Officer.
• Assisting the Head of Department and Principal Scrutiny Officer in providing high quality information on any aspect of the work of the team.
• Working collaboratively and flexibly with colleagues across ESS on key operational work streams to support the development of effective and efficient processes and systems within ESS.
• Representing ESS, and supporting and co‑ordinating relationships with key external senior stakeholders in central and local government and the wider environmental sector.

• Proven experience of using analytical skills to explore issues and reach decisions based on evaluating a range of evidence, preferably in relation to legally complex matters involving the implementation and interpretation of law.
• Proven experience in developing and maintaining strong working relationships with internal and senior external stakeholders.
• Proven experience of producing high‑quality, formal, written reports that are clear, comprehensive and which have withstood scrutiny.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, including the ability to balance competing demands.

• Experience of working in environmental science, law, policy or regulation.

We are looking for candidates with a minimum of four years proven experience working in a scrutiny‑focused organisation (for example: inspection, audit, regulatory, or evaluation).

• Experience of working in a team at pace to deliver high‑quality products or service.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to establish strong working relations with a range of internal and senior external stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to work independently to deliver at pace, without sacrificing quality.

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Salary: £49,401. Environmental Standards Scotland contributes £14,311 towards your membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit pension scheme. (Find out what benefits a Civil Service pension provides).

• Enrolment in the Civil Service pension scheme.
• Flexible working options and flexitime.
• 25 days annual leave with an increase to 30 days after two years of…