Senior Policy Manager (Building Standards Procedures)

The Scottish Government; Livingston; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Scottish Government is seeking a Senior Policy Manager in the Building Standards Division to develop policies, guidance and legislation for Scotland's building standards system. You will work with local authorities, construction partners and policy colleagues to strengthen the system and implement Grenfell Inquiry recommendations.

Based in Scotland, the role involves liaison with Local Authority Building Standards Scotland, delivering improvements through the Building Standards Futures

Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience of the building standards system and related processes.
• Experience in developing policy, guidance and legislation for the construction sector.
• Ability to lead cross‑government and cross‑sector collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Review application of building standards legislation and guidance and develop improvements to the procedures underpinning delivery of the building standards system.
• Provide an effective point of contact between the division and Local Authority Building Standards Scotland and the Scottish Building Standards Hub for joint working on shared goals for the verification service.
• Provide support on recommendations arising from the Grenfell Inquiry on construction products regulation and assuring impartiality and accountability to the public in relation to delivery of the building standards system.
• Develop research specifications and deliver projects that provide an evidence base for improvements and carry out public consultation on proposals for legislative change where required.
• Prepare briefing on building standards related matters for Ministers and other parts of Scottish Government.
• Respond to correspondence from the public and construction professionals about the procedural aspects of the building standards system and providing advice where required.
• Administer statutory casework including applications for ‘Relaxation’ and ‘Ministerial Views’ relating to compliance with building regulations.
• Lead on an annual workforce data collection exercise to understand the challenges facing the building standards workforce and inform new policy approaches.
• Work proactively with the Competency Steering Group to deliver an interim competency assessment process for the profession and carry out a review of the new approach to inform future arrangements.

Skills

Leadership

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in built environment or construction related subject

Job description

Are you interested in a job that directly relates to the delivery of an essential public service that ensures our buildings are safe places to live and work?

Building Standards Division in the Building Safety and Standards Directorate is looking for a construction professional with working knowledge of the building standards system. The division is responsible for developing and maintaining the policies and legislation for the building standards system in Scotland. You will work across the division to develop changes that will strengthen the building standards system so that Scotland’s buildings are safe, sustainable and energy efficient.

A key feature of the Senior Policy Manager role, which sits in the Procedures and Workforce Team, will be frequent working with local authorities in their role as building standards verifiers, external partners in the construction sector, and policy colleagues in related business areas in Scottish Government. You will be responsible for developing and maintaining the policies, guidance and legislation to ensure the procedures that underpin the building standards system remains fit for purpose. This is an important time for the division as it delivers key improvements to strengthen the building standards system overseen by the Building Standards Futures Board and responds directly to the recommendations in the Grenfell Inquiry’s final report.

This is a rewarding post in a supportive team that provides opportunities to use your technical knowledge and experience of the building standards system when developing options for change and when leading on regular liaison with building standards professionals in local government.

Responsibilities

• Review application of building standards legislation and guidance and develop improvements to the procedures underpinning delivery of the building standards system.
• Provide an effective point of contact between the division and Local Authority Building Standards Scotland and the Scottish Building Standards Hub for joint working on shared goals for the verification service.
• Provide support on recommendations arising from the Grenfell Inquiry on construction products regulation and assuring impartiality and accountability to the public in relation to delivery of the building standards system.
• Develop research specifications and deliver projects that provide an evidence base for improvements and carry out public consultation on proposals for legislative change where required.
• Prepare briefing on building standards related matters for Ministers and other parts of Scottish Government.
• Respond to correspondence from the public and construction professionals about the procedural aspects of the building standards system and providing advice where required.
• Administer statutory casework including applications for ‘Relaxation’ and ‘Ministerial Views’ relating to compliance with building regulations.
• Lead on an annual workforce data collection exercise to understand the challenges facing the building standards workforce and inform new policy approaches.
• Work proactively with the Competency Steering Group to deliver an interim competency assessment process for the profession and carry out a review of the new approach to inform future arrangements.

Qualifications

Construction professional with a qualification in a built environment or construction related subject. Other equivalent qualifications may be considered, if you are in any doubt please contact to discuss.

Success profile

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

Technical / Professional Skills

Provide details of your background as a construction professional, including any professional membership(s) held

Experience

Knowledge, understanding and experience of the building standards system and the procedures that underpin the system. For example, working as a design or construction professional submitting applications for building warrant or as a verifier within local authority building standards.

Behaviours

• Leadership – level 3
• Working together – level 3
• Communicating and Influencing – level 3

Find out more about Success Profiles.

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.

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints 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 the UK Civil Service, observing the Civil Service Code and 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 about what we offer.

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

Working pattern

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.

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 the UK Government website, and read about the Government Vetting Charter, or about all the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application.

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 to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

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

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.