Senior Policy Advisor: Local Growth and Place Division

This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.

The national salary range is £42,914 - £46,182, London salary range is £49,325 - £53,081. Your salary will be dependent on your base location

Working Pattern

Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working

Vacancy Approach

Cross Government

Location

Edinburgh, London

Region

London, Scotland

Closing Date

01-Sep-2026

Post Type

Loan

SEO

Number of jobs available

1

Reserve List

12 Months

Job

21054

The Scotland Office supports the Secretary of State for Scotland, promoting the best interests of Scotland within a stronger United Kingdom. It ensures Scottish interests are fully and effectively represented at the heart of the UK Government, and that the UK Government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland.

This role sits within the Social, Rural and Fiscal (SRF) Policy Team in the Local Growth and Place Division of the Scotland Office.

The SRF team covers a diverse range of policy areas, including departmental account management for DCMS, DfE, DHSC, MoJ, DEFRA and elements of MHCLG and HMT. As such, the post-holder will be required to work flexibly, collaborating within and across teams on new policy areas and priorities as they arise.

The successful candidate will be expected to support and lead on a wide variety of work including researching, monitoring, and advising Ministers on emerging policy issues and opportunities for Scotland; and building relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the department has oversight and input on issues relating to Scotland.

This is a great opportunity for any individual who is keen to use their initiative to identify and deliver impactful change in Scotland; enjoys working in a fast paced environment with a lot of autonomy and exposure to seniors and Ministers.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Leading the Account Management (i.e. regular engagement, opportunity and risk tracking, information management etc.) for DCMS, DfE, DHSC, MoJ, DEFRA, MHCLG and HMT. You will be allocated specific departments, however, to ensure resilience cross-team we also operate flexibly across accounts.

Advising the Team Leader, the Deputy Director, Director, SpAds and Ministers on issues relating to your accounts.

Picking up ad hoc policy design and delivery support for wider team and Divisional priorities.

Leading correspondence, Write-Rounds and external engagement on policy areas that fall within the policy areas of your accounts.

Strong communication and writing skills - with close attention to detail and ability to adapt styles appropriately in line with audience needs;

Experience in policy influencing and policy development (inc. research and analysis);

Strong understanding of cross-UK government delivery processes and departmental decision-making structures;

Understanding of Scottish devolution and policies.

Experience of working with or engaging with policy areas of some / all of the following departments: DCMS, DfE, DHSC, MoJ, DEFRA, MHCLG and HMT.

Experience of external stakeholder engagement and management and Government communications.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay…