Policy Official - C2

This opportunity is only open to applicants who are Scottish Government employees, and are currently 'Priority Movers'. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.

We have an opportunity for a C2 to join the Critical Energy Resilience Unit to lead the Scottish Government’s response to challenges associated with energy resilience, and ad hoc business continuity issues in the oil and gas sector. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who has extensive experience in cross government engagement in the pursuit of securing alignment between UK Government and Scottish Government priorities for transitioning industries.

This role is also suited to someone who has a proven track record of working with external commercial advisers to devise and implement a response to businesses in distress, ideally in the energy sector. Lastly, this role is suited to someone who thrives when engaging with SCS and senior Ministerial level to secure outcomes that deliver on the priorities of the Scottish Government and represent value for the taxpayer.

The Critical Energy Resilience Unit is one of four units within the Energy Industries Division and leads the Scottish Government’s approach to securing Scotland’s energy security and resilience. Through often high pressure, high profile and time sensitive activities, the Unit develops policy and through partnership working seeks to meet the needs of Scotland in relation to energy security.

Scotland remains reliant on a range of energy sources to ensure functioning of society, public services and the economy. The Critical Energy Resilience Unit works across a range of external partners, extensively with the UK Government, other Scottish Government departments and external agencies to develop and implement plans in relation to energy security. The Unit also has responsibility for leading the Scottish Government’s approach to distressed energy intensive businesses across Scotland including spearheading engagement with business leaders, commercial advisers and enterprise agencies.

The work of the unit is high profile, with significant levels of political, stakeholder and media attention, and are cross-cutting in nature as they interact with wider energy strategy, climate change and economic objectives across Directorates. There is therefore an expectation of regular and extensive out of hours working including in response to crisis situations. There is likely to be some expectations of travel.

The Unit (including this post) is a team of six, including three C1s who will be managed by this jobholder). There is currently no budget associated with the work.

This role is central to providing Ministers with assurance and support on the full range of energy resilience issues with particular lead on gas, road fuels and leading inter-governmental and cross governmental planning and assurance activity.

• Lead the Scottish Government’s approach to planning and assurance in relation to energy security – all fuels, electricity and gas.
• Lead and coordinate cross Government and agency working to develop, prepare and implement emergency plans in response to catastrophic energy related situations
• Lead senior and strategic engagement with the relevant UK Government departments to align areas of planning and operate between the devolved and reserved landscape
• Have strategic oversight across the preparation of critical briefing materials that would be utilised by senior Ministers and officials in response to emergency situations.
• Lead the Scottish Government’s approach to seeking solutions to distressed energy intensive businesses including securing funding, supporting the negotiation of commercial…