Policy Advisor

Job Title Policy Advisor

Business Area/Directorate - Policy and Regulatory Affairs Division

Location Pilgrim House Aberdeen

Working Arrangement Our standard working hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the post. This role is hybrid compatible.

FSS employees currently work in a hybrid fashion. FSSs Head Office is based in Pilgrim House in Aberdeen and travel to meetings at this office would be expected on occasion. We do invite applications from outside this area and there would be opportunities to work from an alternative Scottish Government building.

Grade- B2

Advert type - Level Transfer and TP

Duration - Up to 12 months

Eligibility - Expressions of interest are invited from eligible staff in Bands A - B for this vacancy.

We have an opportunity for 5 x B2 Policy Advisors to join the Policy and Regulatory Affairs Division of Food Standards Scotland on a temporary basis for up to 12 months to support delivery of SPS related policy legislation and implementation. This is an ideal development opportunity for someone looking to broaden their experience in policy.

On 19^th May 2025 the UK and EU agreed to pursue a new Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary (SPS) Agreement based on dynamic agreement with EU rules. The SPS Agreement will cover key areas that FSS has policy responsibility for in Scotland including food and feed safety food labelling and food compositional standards and nutrition related food standards.

FSS is currently providing technical support in the UK-EU negotiations through close working with the Scottish and UK Governments and the Food Standards Agency (FSA). FSS has also strengthened its internal governance to plan for and resource the necessary work that will be needed to implement and operationalise the SPS Agreement in our areas of responsibility including any legislative changes that may be required in Scotland. The UK Government is working towards a mid-2027 start date for the new agreement which is informing our planning assumptions.

These temporary vacancies (up to 12 months) will either be working directly on FSS led SPS related policy legislative and implementation matters or backfilling areas which will be heavily impacted by SPS such as Regulated Products (food and feed products which require authorisation before being placed on the market). They offer a unique development opportunity to grow develop and test your policy skills in a fast paced environment.

While almost all food law in Scotland is derived from EU law there have been some changes since the UK left the EU in 2021. Therefore a keen eye for detail will be needed to develop effective arrangements which enable businesses to understand their responsibilities support enforcement officers and protect consumers.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Develop subject specific knowledge and expertise to support SPS Agreement development and implementation in lead FSS policy areas
• Lead on the preparation and delivery of SPS related Scottish secondary legislation working with solicitors from the Scottish Government Legal Directorate
• Lead on the preparation of Ministerial submissions correspondence briefing impact assessments consultations guidance material and other written material as required
• Lead on four nation coordination with policy officials in FSA Defra and DHSC in subject specific areas as required.
• Lead on handling and responding to external stakeholder enquiries.

Person Specification

• Strong planning and organisational skills including the ability to balance competing demands.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• 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.
• Strong research and evidence analysis skills