Policy Team Leader - Qualifications Scotland

Are you looking for a role that puts you at the centre of delivering transformational change in Scotland’s education and skills system?   

Education and Skills Reform is at the heart of delivering an education system that is fit for the future for the people of Scotland. The Education Reform Division is focused on delivering Ministerial commitments replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority with a new qualifications body, Qualifications Scotland, alongside refocusing Education Scotland, creating a separate inspectorate body, and establishing a new Centre for Teaching Excellence. These reforms are underpinned by new legislation through the Educations (Scotland) Bill which is currently progressing through Parliament.

The Qualifications Scotland Policy Team oversees a range of activity relating to the establishment of Qualification Scotland, including implementation of the activities following the successful passage of the Bill.  Working as part of the Education Reform Programme, you will take lead in overseeing: the implementation of the required commencement orders and regulations once the Bill becomes an Act; the development of new user Charters and Committees to be established within Qualifications Scotland; and transition and longer term transformation activity required to both establish Qualifications Scotland and ensure it delivers the longer term programme ambitions.

• Providing policy advice on Part 1 of the Educations (Scotland) Bill / Act which underpins the establishment of Qualifications Scotland.
• Delivery of all relevant regulations and commencement orders relating the Qualifications Scotland elements of the Education (Scotland) Bill / Act.
• Lead a joint project with SQA to oversee the transition from SQA to Qualifications Scotland.
• Ensure the new Charters and Committees to be co-designed with users within Qualifications Scotland comply with legislative requirements and meet Ministerial ambition.
• Lead a Review of where the Accreditation Function within SQA / Qualification Scotland should be located (subject to the final provisions within the Bill / Act).
• Provide engagement with other parts of SG with an interest in Qualifications Scotland policy including, Post School Education Reform and Qualifications Reform.
• Provide advice to Ministers on Qualification Scotland policy.
• Lead on FOIs, PQs, and Ministerial correspondence relating to Qualifications Scotland.

Success Profile

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

Experience:

• Experience of working on the development and implementation of primary legislation in a policy delivery context.
• Experience of delivering policy thought collaborative working with public bodies.

Behaviours:

• Seeing the Big Picture – Level 4
• Delivering at Pace – Level 4
• Changing and Improving – Level 4
• Communication and Influencing – Level 4
• Leadership – Level 4

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot

How to apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 18th / 25th August however this may be subject to change. 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, 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.  We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for,  please contact us.

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.