Fish Health & Biosecurity Policy Manager
Scottish Government.com
Office
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Full Time
Job description
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and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.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 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 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. 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 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.
Are you looking for a role where you will contribute to the protection of animal health?
Aquaculture is one of the most valuable economic sectors of Scotland’s marine economy. Ensuring high standards of biosecurity for imports and exports of live aquatic animals is key to protecting our domestic sector from various diseases.
The Farmed Fish Health and Innovation team plays a key part in ensuring the ongoing contribution of farmed fish and shellfish to the economy, and the protection of Great Britain’s high health status as an international trading partner are key outcomes of the work.
The Fish Health & Biosecurity Policy Manager leads the development and review of live aquatic animal health, trade and disease management policies to protect our domestic sector and improve trade biosecurity. You will work 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.
- Take leading roles in a number of fish health workstreams, working closely with scientist and fish health inspector colleagues to deliver Ministerial priorities in a high profile and reactive area.
- Lead in cross SG discussions with the UKG in relations to EU agreements impacting the fish health policy area.
- Represent the Scottish Government within the Aquatic Animal Health Policy Group (AAHPG), a post Brexit formal policy development group which brings together the UK and devolved governments to promote cross border policy development and alignment, leading on policy elements of AAHPG deliverables as they arise,
- Work alongside the Fish Health Inspectorate to update disease contingency plans to ensure the Scottish Government is prepared in the event of a listed disease outbreak
- Represent live aquatic animal health policy in wider Scottish Government animal and plant health forums implementing post Brexit and EU issues.
- Lead on submissions and briefings to Ministers as required, as well as providing a high quality service in relation to FOI, EIR and correspondence.
- Support legislative reform.
- 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.
- 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 aquaculture production, animal welfare or bio-security.
- Seeing the bigger picture – Level 3
- Working together – Level 3
- Communicating and influencing – Level 3
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 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 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. 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 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.
Fish Health & Biosecurity Policy Manager
Office
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Full Time
October 9, 2025