Tourism Policy Advisor

Job Description

Are you organised to respond to competing priorities? 

You will be part of the Directorate for Business and Better Regulation, in DG Economy, within the Tourism and Hospitality Unit. Tourism and hospitality play a vital role in the support of Scotland’s inclusive economic growth. They are a key foundation of Scotland’s everyday economy, which together with retail provides employment, service and opportunities for communities, visitors and tourists alike. 

This is a great opportunity to be at the heart of the Scottish Government’s approach to working with business at a time of significant economic challenge and change. You will work closely with colleagues across DGE and beyond, delivery partners, stakeholders and Ministers. You will have the opportunity to work on a broad range of policy issues and priorities (i.e. Fair work, innovation, community empowerment, sustainable transport, and other emerging areas). 

Responsibilities

• Provide policy and operational support to the tourism and hospitality team for: 
  • Development and delivery of SG priorities for Fair Work in the Tourism and Hospitality sector, including formal response to Fair Work Convention Inquiry Report into the Hospitality Sector (in collaboration with the B3 who will be leading on that)
  • The Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group (THILG) in liaison with VisitScotland (Co-chaired by Minister for Business)
  • SG input and stewardship of Scotland’s national tourism strategy, Outlook 2030 (overseen strategically by the THILG) and its measurement
  • A broad range of policy initiatives (i.e. community-led tourism, innovation, visitor management, etc.)
• Direct support to Ministers, including development of opportunities, preparation of briefing and on the ground presence, on stakeholder engagement in key areas of tourism and hospitality policy.
• Act as Action Officer for caseload management of correspondence, PQs, FMQs, FOIs, etc. in an area of high visibility on public and business scrutiny.
• Provide input, advice and support to a broad range of policy areas (i.e. Visitor Levy, Cruise Ship Levy, sustainable transport, aviation route development, etc.) across government working on issues which affect the visitor economy
• Support efficient working practices within the Unit, including around email traffic, ownership of individual events and meetings, corporate frameworks, etc. 

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:

1. Policy Context and Purpose - Level 1
2. Working with Ministers – Level 1 
    

You can find out more about the skills required here: Policy Profession Standards Annex 

Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing - Level 2
• Working Together - Level 2
• Delivering at Pace - Level 2
   

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 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. 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 our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and a presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 22nd September 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 and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. From October 2025, the Scottish Government will require staff in hybrid-compatible roles 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 checksSuccessful 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, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate 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 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.

Apply before; 27th August (23:59) This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship organisations only