12659 - Senior Policy Adviser

Ministry of Justice; Brighton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK Government Department is looking for a Senior Policy Adviser to lead responses to key economic challenges in Scotland. The role involves engaging with multiple stakeholders to ensure effective representation of Scotland's interests and influencing energy policy for a sustainable future. Strong communication and strategic thinking skills are essential to navigate complex policy environments. Candidates should be prepared for a demanding but rewarding position, benefiting from unique exposure to government operations and decision-making processes.

Qualifications

• Ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Capacity to deliver in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of policy development processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Department’s response to Grangemouth and related economic shocks.
• Engage on North Sea oil and gas transitions to Net Zero.
• Build relationships with UK and Scottish Government departments.
• Attend cross-government meetings and represent the Scotland Office.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Strategic thinking

Strong planning and organisation skills

Job description

Senior Policy Adviser (SEO) – Scotland Office

Are you good at forming professional relationships? Able to get to the nub of policy matters and propose solutions that will have real impact? Looking for a role where your creativity and communication skills will be valued, and where you will have the autonomy to work on interesting projects supporting a key UK Government priority?

If you are ready to take the next step in your career, then we are looking for an enthusiastic and talented person to join our busy and friendly Energy and Net Zero team located in the Domestic Policy Group of the Policy Division in the Scotland Office, based in Edinburgh or London.

The Scotland Office supports the Secretary of State for Scotland to deliver the Prime Minister’s priorities in Scotland. We are Scotland’s voice in Whitehall and the UK Government’s voice in Scotland, and we ensure Scottish issues are fully and effectively represented at Westminster and across Government. That gives us a job like few others in government.

The Energy and Net Zero team is responsible for providing ministers, special advisers and senior officials with advice on energy and net zero matters as they relate to Scotland. The team plays a crucial role in shaping UK energy policy and influencing how it will impact Scotland. As such the Energy and Net Zero team is involved in a wide range of issues, including investment in and the development of clean and low‑carbon energy projects and innovative green technologies in Scotland; the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan; the future of North Sea oil and gas; and the transition to Net Zero.

The post holder will have two primary responsibilities: leading the Department’s response to the closure of Grangemouth oil refinery, and other related special situations, with flexibility to adapt as priorities change or arise (75%); and leading the Department’s engagement on the future of North Sea oil and gas and the transition to Net Zero, with flexibility to adapt as priorities change or arise (25%).

Grangemouth oil refinery closed in early 2025 and has been identified by the Prime Minister as the highest priority for the Scotland Office, so this is a high‑profile area of work within the Department. You will coordinate officials from a number of other government departments—Cabinet Office, Number 10, HMT, DESNZ, DBT, DSIT, Defra and DfT—to influence them to ensure UKG supports a long‑term economic future for the industrial site. You will also work with the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise, who, together with UKG, are leading work to support new prospective businesses set up at Grangemouth and to create jobs. Elements of this role also involve other special situations on business failure, such as the recent closure of the Fife Ethylene Plant in Mossmorran, and you will work with colleagues in HMT and DBT to assess the economic impact in Scotland and advise the Secretary of State on any intervention the Government should take.

The Government is committed to managing the North Sea in a way that ensures a fair, orderly and prosperous transition to Net Zero, whilst recognising that domestic oil and gas will continue to have a role in the UK’s energy mix for decades to come. You will lead the Department’s engagement with DESNZ and HMT and external stakeholders on a range of issues currently affecting the oil and gas sector, including taxation and licensing, and support for workers and their communities to transition to clean energy roles in future. You will also lead the Department’s engagement on industrial decarbonisation, including carbon capture and storage and hydrogen production, and will work closely with DESNZ and external stakeholders to ensure government policy takes account of the opportunities available in Scotland. Linked to this, you will also liaise with DESNZ and DFT on broader policy to tackle carbon emissions from homes, buildings and vehicles in Scotland.

This is a challenging and demanding SEO role with flexibility as priorities change, but a rewarding one—the previous post holder has gone on to secure promotion. Working in a small department like the Scotland Office provides unrivaled experience of working with ministers and special advisers not offered in a larger department, and you will also get unrivaled exposure to the inner workings of Whitehall.

Key responsibilities for the role:

• Lead the Department’s response to Grangemouth, Mossmoran and related economic shocks, with the flexibility to adapt to changing/arising priorities (75%).
• Lead the Department’s engagement on the future of North Sea oil and gas and the transition to Net Zero, with the flexibility to adapt to changing/arising priorities (25%).
• Build trusting and strong relationships with other UK Government departments and the Scottish Government.
• Develop a strong network across Whitehall, to advise on policy developments, in particular devolution assessments and ensuring UK Government policy decisions are relevant, applicable and impactful in a Scottish context.
• Quickly develop a strong grasp of the policy priorities and objectives for the Secretary of State, and the ability to source and use the expertise of policy officials across Whitehall to progress these.
• Represent the Scotland Office in cross‑government meetings and at meetings, working groups, and other events with external stakeholders.
• Draft briefing and correspondence.
• Line management of x1 HEO.

Essential Criteria:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills involving a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external, at all levels.
• Ability to think strategically, making links across organisational and subject boundaries to deliver shared outcomes.
• Strong planning and organisation skills including the ability to balance competing priorities to meet tight deadlines.