Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to work on the Deputy First Minister's Increasing Investment Programme?

The Investment Unit, which sits in the Investment & Financial Services Division within the Directorate for International Trade & Investment have multiple exciting opportunities for Senior Policy Advisors. The Investment Unit was established in 2024 to attract private investment for projects of scale to Scotland as we transition to Net Zero. The programme of work to drive greater investment is led by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic in her role as cross-portfolio ‘Investment Champion’.

Three roles are available within the Investment Unit

Senior Policy Advisor – Financing Mechanisms and Data Insights
Senior Policy Advisor – Financing Mechanisms and Investment System
Senior Policy Advisor – Investment Pipeline

The Financing Mechanisms and Data Insights and Financing Mechanisms and Investment System roles sit within the Investment Landscape, Financial Instruments and Markets team. The team leads identifying, co-ordinating and potentially testing funding, financing or risk sharing approaches that may accelerate future infrastructure projects. As one of the priority sectors for the increasing investment programme, the team are the lead point of contact in the Investment Unit on transport investment issues connected with the Programme, working with colleagues in Transport Scotland and bringing in expertise from across the Division and partner organisations.

The Investment Pipeline role sits within the Commercial and Technical, Portal and Pipeline Projects team. The team leads on the development and ongoing management of the pipeline and online portal which represent two of the main projects of the overall Investment Unit. This work requires broad cross-government and cross-agency engagement and close interaction with the rest of the Unit, particularly on areas like investor engagement.

Responsibilities

Develop knowledge and expertise on private capital investment in Scotland including across key sectors like offshore wind, energy storage, renewables, property and housing.
Maintain a core narrative for all areas of responsibility (core brief, ministerial submissions and briefings, maintaining investor profiles, MiCases, PQs, FOIs as and when required).
Represent the Investment Unit and Directorate across Scottish Government to drive improvements in attracting private capital investment at scale to Scotland.
Support the design, development and implementation of key policies and programmes of work.
Take ownership for delivery of specific policy and/or programme activity, providing direction, influencing and leading colleagues as needed (including external partners).
Build and maintain trusted, credible networks across our organisation and with a wide and diverse range of external stakeholders.
Lead on briefings/submissions and provide policy guidance and advice to Ministers and other senior stakeholders, ensuring that materials provided meet the highest quality standards, are delivered on time and align with Ministerial preferences.
Coach and support colleagues’ drafting skills – including briefings/submissions for Ministers, FMQs, PQs, media lines and FOIs.
Ensure policy delivery supports the development of impact assessments.
Be proactive in seeking personal development opportunities.
Deputise for the Team Leader as required.

Success profileSuccess profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Technical / Professional Skills:

Policy Delivery and Systems – Practitioner
Governance and Project Delivery – Practitioner

You can find out more about the skills required here.

Experience

Experience of working across the Scottish Government and across government agencies, including the Enterprise Agencies, is preferable.

Behaviours:

Making Effective Decisions – Level 3
Working Together – Level 3

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk) How to applyApply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement of no more than 1000 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 presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 8th September. However this may be subject to change. About usThe 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 patternOur 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. Equality statementWe 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 informationFind 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 31st August (23:59). This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship organisations only.