Chief Social Policy Adviser

Location: Edinburgh or Glasgow

[2-3 year Fixed Term Appointment or secondment]

This is an outstanding opportunity: with a chance to influence, advise and guide the Scottish Government and help shape core public policy and services at a time of unprecedented challenge, as we recover and renew in response to the COVID pandemic.

Job Description 

As Chief Social Policy Adviser you will provide expert social science advice to Ministers and senior policy advisers. You will report directly to the Director General - Communities and will work collaboratively with a broad range of Scottish Government Directorates and external stakeholders on a variety of issues.

This is a unique opportunity for an exceptional leader in social science to ensure that social policy research and evidence supports the Scottish Government’s ambitious programme for Covid recovery and tackling child poverty.

As well as having primary responsibility for ensuring access to high quality social science advice across Scottish Government, you will also have a unique opportunity to champion the role of social science both within and outside of the Scottish Government. Maintaining links with your academic or research field and with the research community more broadly, is encouraged.

You will embody the Civil Service values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. 

This is envisaged as a full-time post but there is scope for flexibility for job share or alternative working patterns, including part-time hours by mutual agreement.

GatenbySanderson is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Scottish Government on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please click Apply. Alternatively for a confidential discussion, please telephone Paul Aristides on 07964 827000, Michael Dobson on 07891 142 325 or Olivia Robinson on 0113 205 6298 (during office hours).

Applications should be received by midnight on Sunday 16 January. 

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people and aim to employ a diverse workforce, which reflects the people of Scotland.