Policy Advisor

Location

Aberdeen | United Kingdom

Job description

Are you interested in a varied role that involves developing policy, working with legislation and engaging with a range of stakeholders?

If the answers to the above are yes then we have an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of Scotland’s future.

About us

Food Standard Scotland (FSS) was established by the Food (Scotland) Act 2015 as a non-ministerial office, part of the Scottish Administration, alongside, but separate from, the Scottish Government. Our primary concern is consumer protection – making sure that the food is safe to eat, ensuring consumers know what they are eating and improving nutrition. Please click on our website for more information on FSS:

FSS has a wide and diverse remit which covers all aspects of the food chain which can impact on public health – aiming to protect consumers from food safety risks and promote healthy eating. Our mission is to be Scotland’s leading authority on food safety, standards and healthy eating; using data and evidence to provide assurance and advice that inspires consumer confidence and improves public health.

The Policy Advisor post forms part of the FSS Policy and Regulatory Affairs Division which has responsibility for a wide range of food and feed safety and standards policy, including the provision of independent advice to Scottish Ministers, businesses, enforcement authorities and consumers.

The role

The role in the Food and Feed Safety branch provides lead policy expertise on specific areas of food and feed safety and hygiene legislation, primarily the retained European and national Regulations in these areas. Gaining a working knowledge of wider international standards and approaches is also becoming increasingly important. As a Policy Advisor, the work will involve significant internal and external collaboration and engagement, both within FSS and with a wide range of Scottish and UK government departments, enforcement authorities, and stakeholders.

•Lead on policy development and delivery of new food and feed safety and hygiene legislation at Scottish, UK and International levels.
•Develop subject specific knowledge and expertise in policy areas.
•Lead on the preparation of Ministerial submissions, briefing, impact assessments, consultations, and guidance material.
•Lead on the preparation of draft Scottish legislation and work with solicitors from the Scottish Government Legal Directorate.
•Lead on the drafting of documents, including submissions, consultations, correspondence and other written material as required.
•Lead on handling and responding to external stakeholder enquiries.

Competencies

Self-Awareness

Analysis and Use of Evidence

Communications and Engagement

Improving Performance

No specific qualifications required for this post.

Essential Criteria

1. Strong planning and organisational skills, including the ability to balance competing demands.
2. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
3. Ability to engage confidently with a range of people, including a proven ability to build effective working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
4. Strong research and evidence analysis skills.

Provisional Interview Dates 

To be confirmed. 

Location

This post will be based at Pilgrim House, Aberdeen. In line with our current way of working, our team follows a hybrid working approach, where colleagues use a mix of office based and remote working (working from home) depending on the requirements of the role and personal circumstances.

Some travel within the UK may be required depending on the nature of the work e.g. starting key projects such as new legislation or guidance material.

How To Apply

For further information on this vacancy please download and review the “Person Specification” which you will find below.

To apply, you must fully complete and submit an online application via this website before the closing date using evidence based examples to demonstrate your knowledge/skills (300 words). Remember, your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion.

To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Josep Campins at [email protected]

The Scottish Government is a diverse and inclusive workplace and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please let us know via [email protected]  

As part of any recruitment process, Scottish Government and associated public bodies collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants and applicants for public appointments.

Personal information you provide in the recruitment process will be made available to Scottish Government and our additional data processors.

Job tags

Salary

£27k - £39k per annum