International Relations Desk Officer (Canada and Australasia)

This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity available on a lateral move basis only. Applications are open to Core Scottish Government employees only.

Job Title International Relations - Desk Officer (Canada and Australasia)

Business Area/Directorate International Relations Population and Migration Division Directorate for Culture and External Affairs.

Location Victoria Quay Edinburgh or Atlantic Quay Glasgow

Working Arrangement Staff in roles compatible with hybrid working should aim to spend 40% of their contracted working time working in person at their contractual workplace. More information can be found within Hybrid Working Policy

Grade- B2

Advert type - Level Transfer

Duration - Permanent

Eligibility - Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer from Core SG only

Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered

Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.

Overview

This role sits within the Scottish Governments International Relations Unit and is responsible for advancing Scotlands interests and relationships primarily with Canada Australia and New Zealand. The post-holder will play a key role in strengthening bilateral relationships supporting overseas offices and delivering Scottish Government priorities in relation to diaspora engagement and international collaboration.

The role is outward-facing and relationship-driven requiring close working with overseas offices (particularly the SG Canada Office based in Ottawa) diplomatic missions in the UK Scotland House London and a wide network of internal and external stakeholders. It also involves a strong corporate element ensuring high-quality support to Ministers and contributing to the Scottish Governments official record.

The post holder will lead on the development and management of Scotlands bilateral relationships with Canada Australia and New Zealand while also contributing to wider team objectives such as the Scottish Government diaspora engagement policy.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the central link with the Canada Office ensuring alignment with SG priorities; build and manage relationships with the Canadian High Commission Quebec Representation and key provinces; facilitate ministerial and stakeholder engagement; and identify collaboration opportunities across cultural economic and policy areas.
• Lead engagement with both High Commissions develop relationships with key partners (including SDI and FCDO) and support ministerial engagement inward visits and joint initiatives.
• Support delivery of the Scottish Connections framework including secretariat support and fund administration; promote initiatives across Canada and Australasia; and embed diaspora objectives in policy and geographic work.
• Deliver high-quality briefings correspondence parliamentary material and FOI responses; support ministerial activity; and maintain accurate corporate records.
• Work collaboratively across teams and with Scotland House London; contribute to team resilience and knowledge sharing; and embed equality diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work.

Success Profiles

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on.

Experience:

• Experience working with internal and external stakeholders
• Experience supporting Ministers and working on corporate products such as briefings PQs and FOIs.

Behaviours:

• Seeing the big picture (level 3)
• Delivering at pace (level 3)

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here:Success profiles: candidate guide -

Working Pattern

This post is a full-time role but we welcome applications from staff with different working patterns proposed working patterns will be assessed against the business requirements for this post.

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for please contact us.

Further Information

Further information about this opportunity is available from Olivia Pires ()

How to Apply

Please submit an Expression of Interest (maximum 500 words) describing how your skills qualities and experience make you suitable for the role. You should make particular reference to and structure your supporting statement around the Success Profile noted in the job advert.

Vacancies close at 11:59pm on the date displayed in the table unless otherwise stated on the job advert.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application but all statements and examples provided must be truthful factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others or generated by artificial intelligence and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see ourcandidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment this will consist of an informal discussion.

Discussions are to be confirmed.

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation we adhere to theCivil Service Commission Recruitment Principlesand we investigate anycomplaints received in relation to recruitment cases.

About us

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education health the economy justice housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of theUK Civil Service observing theCivil Service Codeand working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more aboutwhat we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service we uphold theCivil Service Nationality Rules.

Security checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks Identity Right to work Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on theUK Government website or read about the different levels of security checks in ourCandidate Guide.

Equality statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Find out more about our commitment todiversity and how we offer and supportrecruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

Find out more about our organisation what we offer staff members and how to apply on ourCareers Website.

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