Policy Officer B3

This opportunity is only open to applicants who are currently Priority Movers. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.

Job Description:

Would you like to help shape the future of Scotlands colleges and drive change Colleges play a vital role in breaking down barriers to access education and ensuring Scotland has the skills to thrive as a nation. Our Division is working closely with the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and the college sectoron Public Service Reform priorities to think creatively about options for change and reform. Colleges sit within the public sector and are mainly funded by the Scottish Government via the SFC.

Within the range of work youll be involved in you will play a lead role and work closely with the SFCto co-ordinate SG policy input as it leads work with the college sector to develop and deliver a 10 year College Infrastructure Investment Plan due to publish in autumn 2026. You will do this in collaboration with partners like the Scottish Futures Trust and colleagues across areas of government getting valuable experience in delivery approaches for national priorities. This will include considering the role of alternative funding models. You will lead on drafting ministerial advice on policy and funding options and supporting cross government ministerial discussion.

While this strategic work progresses colleges are also considering with SFC how to manage a number of immediate estate related challenges. You will be involved in providing analysis of options from a college capital perspective and in strengthening financial management oversight of the financial risks that might escalate to SG from these challenges.

Based within the Governance and Assurance Division of the Scottish Governments Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate this post is based in the College Capital and Finance teamand includes line management responsibility. The team has a mix of finance and policy experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Team Leader and Unit Head with cross government and stakeholder engagement as we collaborate with SFC on the development of the 10 year College Infrastructure Investment Plan. This will involve forming excellent working relationships with colleagues and partners co-ordination and drafting of submissions providing high quality briefing and providing support at meetings as appropriate.
• Support the Team Leader and lead as required on planned and reactive work related to college finance and SG infrastructure funding to colleges.
• Serve as the first point of contact for college finance enquiries from stakeholders colleagues and ministers. This area has significant media and stakeholder interest. This will involve leading your small team to provide policy input high quality Micases FMQs media enquiries and PQs within set deadlines.
• Lead day to day financial management oversight of the in-year estate and capital challenges SFC is managing. Feed into Directorate monthly financial monitoring engagement with SFC and Finance Business Partners. And collaborate with colleagues on policy options to address these.