Policy Officer; Carers

This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity, available on a lateral move basis only. Applications are open to Core Scottish Government employees only.

Job Title – Policy Officer (Carers Benefits)

Location – Glasgow (AQ5) or Edinburgh (VQ)

Working Arrangement – Staff in roles compatible with hybrid working should aim to spend 40% of their contracted working time working in person at their contractual workplace. More information can be found within Hybrid Working Policy

Grade – B2

Advert type – Level Transfer

Duration – Up to 12 months (maternity leave cover)

Eligibility – Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer

Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered

Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.

Scotland’s unpaid carers play a vital role supporting family and friends, and for the country and economy as a whole. This role is an excellent opportunity to play a key part in the Carer Benefits Unit responsible for the ongoing delivery and improvements of Scottish Social Security benefits for unpaid carers, including Carer Support Payment, Scottish Carer Supplement, Carer Additional Person Payment and Young Carer Grant.

The Carer Benefits Unit sits within the Social Security Policy Division of the Social Security Directorate. The Unit is made up of two teams that work closely together, The Carer Benefits Live Team and Futures Team. We’re an inclusive and welcoming unit that places a strong emphasis on well-being, learning and development. Team members work flexibly across the two teams given the interactions between the two areas of work, and this post could include work across one or both areas.

You will be based in the Futures Team, considering future carer benefit policy developments and support continuous improvements. You will work directly with the Senior Policy Officer to collaborate with Social Security Scotland as well as legal, analytical, finance and other social security and wider SG policy colleagues to ensure these key benefits are delivered in line with policy and regulations.

You will also be engaging externally and supporting communications to improve awareness, understanding and take up of the support available.

As the Policy Officer role is within the Futures team which works to consider future developments in carer benefits policy, the role would suit someone who can contribute to the development of policy that is closely informed by operational, technical and delivery insight. You will have experience of working with internal and external key stakeholders to gain insight for policy development.

The successful candidate should therefore be able todemonstratepositive and proactive relationship management skills. The role will also require analytical and strategic thinking, and the navigation of often complex policy scenarios to map out effective policy solutions. You will be required to contribute to the production of timely, high-qualityadvice to Ministers such as briefings, policypapersand external publications which set out the Scottish Government’s position on the relevant policy areas.

It would suit a proactive individual and could provide significant development opportunities for the right candidate.