Policy Official B2

This post is within the Safer Communities Directorates Safer Communities Division which includes sponsorship of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and the Community Safety Policy and Protection Units. The post specifically sits within the Community Protection and Resilience team who deliver policy interventions to reduce crime and make communities feel safer. As part of this work the team deliver the CashBack for Communities grant programme.

As the team approach the beginning of Phase 7 of Cashback for Communities on 1^st April 2026 the team has been restructured to support a 30% increase in the size of the CashBack programme budget to 26 million over 3 years and a wider range of community partners. This post will lead day to day parliamentary business related to CashBack and support wider CSPPU teams who share similar policy priorities. This includes including the preparation of Ministerial briefings and correspondence general correspondence responses FMQ Parliamentary Question responses and responding to Freedom of Information/Environmental Information Regulation and SPICE requests.

The post will also work closely with our grant administration partner (currently Inspiring Scotland) over see day to day compliance activity e.g grant claims change of use impact reporting and provide support to the CashBack Programme Manager on management of overall portfolio delivery performance and stakeholder influencing.

The role requires good organisational and time management skills as well as excellent interpersonal verbal and written communication skills which will enable the successful candidates to build strong positive relationships within the Directorate Division grant administration partner and funded delivery partners.

This post does not carry any line management responsibilities.

Responsibilities:

• Preparing high quality responses to CashBack for Communities related correspondence including Ministerial responses Micase general correspondence responses FMQs Parliamentary Questions and responding to Freedom of Information etc.
• Preparation and submission of briefings in advance of official and Ministerial meetings and liaising with wider Directorate and colleagues to ensure the appropriate information is provided/included.
• Liaising with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance and timely completion of with grant administration and finance activities.
• Co-development and delivery of the learning and insight programme that wraps around grant delivery
• Working with internal and external stakeholders to share the CashBack story and learning and insights from Impact Reporting Phase evaluation and ongoing insight work
• Maintenance of all Impact Assessments that relate to the CashBack programme

• Support for the CashBack for Communities Programme Manager on overall performance management of the programme and support for the Team Leader on wider influencing work.

Working pattern

This role is a permanent level transfer position at B2 grade.

The team is based in Edinburgh with some flexibility to work in Atlantic Quay in line with Hybrid Working guidance you will require to spend 40% of your monthly time either in the office out in support of Ministers or with external stakeholders. The Unit operates a policy of a weekly anchor day for all staff in St Andrews House Our Edinburgh on a Wednesday. Location flexibility between SAH and AQ is offered on the second day but day and timing may vary depending on business need and external commitments.

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive B2 employees.

Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role relevant skills and experience and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words).

Vacancies close at 12:00pm onWednesday 11th March

Selection Process

All applications will be invited to an informal discussion with the hiring manager.

Informal discussions are to be confirmed

Further Information

If you have specific questions about the role please

Read ourCandidate Guidefor further information on our recruitment and application processes.

Introduction - Recruitment: candidate guide -