Fish Health, Science and Innovation Policy Manager

Job Description

Are you interested in supporting innovation and the use of science in food production?

Aquaculture is one of the most valuable economic sectors of Scotland’s marine economy, especially in highland and island areas.    

The Farmed Fish Health and Innovation team plays a key part in the sector’s continued development, innovation and high standards of health and welfare and continuous downward pressure on adverse environmental impacts. 

The Fish Health, Science and Innovation Policy Manager provides support to Marine Directorate’s response to the Rural and Island Affairs Committee report into salmon farming of January 2025 and to the wider work of the aquaculture policy team. You will contribute to the design and implementation of new long term arrangements for the support of aquaculture innovation, particularly in the context of a changing climate. 

The role also involves working closely with the Fish Health Inspectorate and science colleagues in multi-discipline teams to deliver evidence-based outcomes and policy elements of discrete projects identified as priorities within the Directorate’s Annual Delivery Plan.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Delivery Lead to design, negotiate and implement long term support for the coordination and funding of aquaculture innovation.
• Contribute to Marine Directorate’s response to the report of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee including considering how science is, and should be, used in the regulation of aquaculture. 
• Contribute to the development of a statutory welfare code for farmed fish and cleanerfish liaising closely with the Fish Health Inspectorate and Science colleagues. 
• Work to progress workstreams on fish health and mortality data and reporting in order to enhance transparency and usability for stakeholders. 
• Contribute to wider aquaculture policy development across Marine Directorate including engaging with external stakeholders as required.
• Lead on submissions and briefings to Ministers as required. 
• Contribute to the team’s management of correspondence and communications activity.

Success Profile

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

Professional / Technical Skills:

1. Policy, Context and Purpose – Practitioner

• Embed cross-cutting policy objectives and responsibilities Understand the policy process.
• Develop expertise within the policy area to operate credibly and effectively.

1. Data, Analysis and Scientific Advice – Practitioner

• Commission, understand, and use data, evidence, and advice from expert analytical sources.

You can find out more about the skills required here

Experience

• Experience in policy development or operational delivery relating to the support of science or innovation, aquaculture production or animal welfare.

Behaviours

• Seeing the bigger picture – Level 3
• Working together – Level 3
• Communicating and influencing – Level 3 
• 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 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 10 November 2025 however this may be subject to change.

Apply before 23:59 on 26 October 2025.  This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only.

 

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 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, 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.