About the role

Lead SFC’s Public Affairs function providing strategic government relations and enhancing SFC’s reputation. Advise senior colleagues and oversee organizational engagement with government and parliament.

Responsibilities

Deliver high quality, bespoke briefings for senior colleagues, including briefings for parliamentary committees.
Provide well-evidenced advice across all areas of stakeholder engagement, with a particular focus on government and parliamentary relations.
Lead the government and parliamentary relations function, ensuring that government and parliamentary key engagements are reflected in the organisation’s operational plans.
Oversee an effective and responsive parliamentary monitoring process (e.g. tracking Parliamentary Questions, committees, debates etc.) to identify where interest lies in SFC-related issues and ensure appropriate follow-up.
Ensure SFC makes appropriate input into parliamentary inquiries and co-ordinate written and oral evidence ensuring that those giving evidence are appropriately briefed.
Take a leading role, with support from External Affairs and Policy colleagues, in the development and delivery of SFC advice and messages for government and parliamentary audiences.
Deputise for the Head of External Affairs (Deputy Director) as required.

Experience of stakeholder engagement and influencing within a complex political environment, particularly with parliament, representative bodies, national government and agencies.
Experience of the development and delivery of advice and key messages for internal and external stakeholders.
A demonstrable understanding of the current Scottish and UK political and government operating environment.
Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
Ability to analyse, understand and respond to complex issues in an appropriate manner, demonstrating good judgement in a politicised environment.
Effective organisation and project management skills to respond to a diverse and changing workload.
Highly developed people and leadership skills: including influencing, negotiating and relationship management, and a proven track record of leading and managing people effectively.
Educated to degree level (SCQF Level 9) or equivalent.

Normal full-time hours of work are 35 per week. We will consider flexible working arrangements.
Annual leave entitlement of 30 days pro-rata. Public and privilege holiday entitlement of 13 days pro-rata.
A flexible approach to hybrid working, giving you flexibility to work from home anywhere in the UK for some of the time while also maintaining regular in-person contact with colleagues.
Annual pay review: approved within the framework of the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy and negotiated with our recognised trade union, Unite.
Eligibility to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Support for continuous professional development: as a part of SFC, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for continuous learning and professional development.
Support for health and wellbeing, including generous occupational sick pay, free access to confidential advice and support through our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
We provide support to SFC employees with Volunteering Days.
Support for travel to and from work, including a salary sacrifice cycle loan scheme, cycle storage and shower facilities, an interest-free loan for bus or rail season tickets and free office car parking for employees on a first-come basis.