Improving Mental Health Services Division – Senior Policy Advisor

Be part of a newly redesigned Mental Health Directorate and help drive high-priority policy that improves access to specialist mental health services across Scotland.

The Mental Health Directorate has undergone a significant re-design this is to ensure we are better aligned with current priorities and are able to provide an agile response to changing landscapes in the future. The Directorate has three divisions and we are looking for four Senior Policy Advisors to work within the Improving Mental Health Services Division to help meet the Divisions aim which is to improve the quality of and access to specialist mental health services.

We are looking for enthusiastic focused individualsto lead on high priority policy areas with a mix of fast paced reactive work and longer-term policy development. Evidence of effective team working and a strong track record in stakeholder collaboration are essential as all of the posts involve working across different policy areas and with stakeholders such as NHS Boards Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs) COSLA third sector and professional bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland.

General (Across all Roles)

• Proactive engagement with key internal stakeholders including regular access to Ministers providing high quality advice;
• Managing relationships with external stakeholders building relationships navigating difficulties and engaging with tact and sensitivity;
• Critical appraisal of policy options ensuring any appraisal is good quality independent free from bias and well informed;
• Deployment of good project management skills to manage progress across policy responsibilities identifying and mitigating risk;
• Corporate activities including supporting Ministers PQs FOIs and MiCases;
• Finance oversight of budgets associated with policy responsibilities which may include financial allocations to NHS Boards grants to third sector partners and regular financial reporting to relevant teams.

Delivery Unit Senior Policy Advisor

Work as part of the Delivery Unit to scope develop and deliver a range of high-profile ministerial priority projects. This will include developing work plans theories of change collating and analysing complex data engaging with delivery partners and stakeholders and monitoring progress against project objectives to agreed timeframes and budgets. Provide targeted support both independently and as part of the Delivery Unit to NHS Boards and HSCPs working to improve mental health service the first instance this will include understanding national performance and barriers to discharge and creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and sharing of best practice.

Intelligence Oversight and Interventions Senior Policy Advisor

Establish and implement a renewed process by where performance and progress ofNHSBoards is considered in the round ensuring there are the appropriate mechanisms to bring in all evidence and intelligence when considering performance of the mental health system. Lead on the development of a database where all intelligence data metrics and corporate records are kept relating toNHSBoards and their delivery partners. Using this database to inform other key strands of work both within the team and across the wider Directorate and Government.

Mental Health Workforce Senior Policy Advisor

Leading and co-ordinating engagement with stakeholders including NHS Boards and COSLA to support development of policies aiming to ensure that mental health workforce is diverse skilled supported and sustainable (this includes supporting the refresh of the Strategys combined Delivery and Workforce Action Plan and development of the Target Operating Model for mental health services).Working with colleagues to co-ordinate and engage with stakeholders to support the implementation of the Framework for Collaboration as part of the PfG commitment in relation to Mental Health and Policing. Collaborating with partners proactively driving the key role of the mental health workforce with colleagues across DG Health and Social Care and external partners to ensure that mental health careers are attractive with inclusive and diverse routes to recruitment and clear progression pathways. Undertaking critical analysis and develop robust evidence to support senior management and Ministerial decisions ensuring the right workforce numbers with the rights skills to provide the right support at the right time and in the right place to help implementation of the Service Renewal Framework.

For more information on this role or any other please contact Shannon ORourke or Lewis McGarry

• Policy Context and Purpose Practitioner level

Understand the policy process. Develop expertise within the policy area to operate credibly and effectively. Embed cross-cutting policy objectives and responsibilities.

You can find out more about the skills required here: Policy Profession Standards Annex

• Experience of advising and supporting senior officials and/or Ministers as well as working with a range of external stakeholders

• Making effective decisions Level 3
• Seeing the bigger picture Level 3
• Communicating and influencing Level 3 (this criteria will only be assessed at interview not at sift)

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