London (region), Scotland Job Summary Office locations Dover House, 66 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2AU Queen Elizabeth House, 1 Sibbald Walk, Edinburgh EH8 8FT The position of Director for the Scotland Office represents an exceptional and strategically vital opportunity to engage at the very heart of government. This is a critical role during a pivotal time for the Scotland Office, which is intensifying its efforts to serve as Scotland’s definitive voice within the UK Government while simultaneously championing the UK Government's interests across Scotland. The Office is now playing a key role in delivering the UK Government’s missions in Scotland. Through building relationships, making devolution work well and by focussing on four key priorities Economic Growth Green Energy Brand Scotland Tackling Poverty This position can be based at any of the following Locations: Dover House, 66 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2AU Queen Elizabeth House, 1 Sibbald Walk, Edinburgh EH8 8FT Job Description For full details about the Role, Key Responsibilities and Person Specification, please download and review the Candidate Information pack For full details about the Role, Key Responsibilities and Person Specification, please download and review the Candidate Information pack Person specification In addition to the extensive delivery responsibilities, the successful candidate will assume the vital role of Accounting Officer (AO) for the department, bearing ultimate accountability for the department’s actions and financial stewardship and scrutinised by Parliament through the Scottish Affairs Committee. This position encompasses additional AO responsibilities for the Advocate General for Scotland— the UK Government’s legal team, a separate Ministerial department governed under joint arrangements—alongside direct oversight of the Boundary Commission for Scotland (BCS). The Scotland Office comprises approximately 80 staff members, while the Office of the Advocate General (OAG) is supported by around 50 personnel. The postholder will have direct line management responsibility for five Deputy Directors, leading a multi-disciplinary team. With a budget of approximately £15 million per annum, which includes OAG and BCS funding, the Scotland Office also plays a crucial role in administering the block grant to the Scottish Government. The department’s Annual Report and Accounts, which the Director personally endorses, reflect the high level of transparency and accountability inherent to this role. The Scotland Office is also the UK Government lead for City and Growth deals worth £1.4bn. As the most senior civil servant within the department, the successful candidate will provide expert and impartial advice to Ministers, supporting the Secretary of State in Cabinet preparations and in delivering follow-up actions. This multifaceted role represents not only a significant level of responsibility but also an unparalleled opportunity to effect transformational change in the operational and political landscape in Scotland. As head of the Scotland Office, the successful candidate will play an integral part in advancing the UK Government's overarching strategy towards the nations, the United Kingdom, and the complexities of devolution. This role demands close collaboration with key government colleagues, particularly within the Cabinet Office, the Office of the Advocate General for Scotland, the Wales Office, and the Northern Ireland Office. The postholder will be expected to have an ability to forge extensive networks and collaborate widely with partners across all UK Government departments, Scotland, and the Scottish Government. The post holder occupies a key leadership position among the wider UK Government staff in Scotland, actively supporting and advancing the Government’s Places for Growth Agenda—a critical initiative aimed at promoting economic development across the UK. This role not only enhances the stature and influence of the Scotland Office but also drives significant progress in the Government's engagement across Scotland. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity. Diversity & Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Additional Information Please view our candidate information pack for full details about the role, key responsibilities person specification, and the criteria you will be assessed against throughout the recruitment process. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, and feel that you meet the criteria, we would welcome your application. Alongside your salary of £98,000, Ministry of Justice contributes £28,390 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Access to learning and development A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Annual Leave Public Holidays Season Ticket Advance For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page. Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ Selection process details For full details of the Selection Process and Recruitment Timeline, please view the Candidate Information pack. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise. As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above. Security Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact Name : SCS Recruitment Team Email : scsrecruitmentjustice.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : scsrecruitmentjustice.gov.uk Further information Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. I you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiriesgov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/ https://scsrecruitment.tal.net/vx/appcentre-1/brand-0/spa-1/candidate/so/pm/1/pl/3/opp/338-338-Director-Scotland-Office/en-GB