Description An exciting opportunity to join a growing and high-profile policy area has arisen within the Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate. Based in the Disease Control Branch in the Animal Health and Welfare Division, this role will afford you the opportunity to play a key role in developing strategic policy that supports the development of the wider rural economy in Scotland as well as working with a range of Scottish Government colleagues, industry stakeholders and other partners. The branch develops policy, drafts and implements legislation and provides advice on animal health, to ensure healthy farm (and domestic) animals in Scotland. This role will involve work on (but not limited to) endemic cattle and pig diseases (including bovine and non-bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, Johne’s disease and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS)). This is a fast-paced area of work, especially when there are disease outbreaks in the UK to manage and will require you to engage with, and work collaboratively with a variety of industry stakeholders to ensure policy decisions are evidence based and proportionate. If there is a suspected or confirmed animal disease outbreak, you will likely be part of the team that leads Scotland’s response which may involve a period of intense activity, long hours and close Ministerial and public attention until the disease is eradicated. Responsibilities This role will support the Animal Health and Welfare Division’s Disease Control Branch to develop and implement future policy in Scotland. There will be a degree of flexibility in the advertised role, in terms of objectives, given the fluidity of our work, and changing priorities due to the risk of animal disease incursion. The responsibilities listed below are not exhaustive, but give a good indication of what is expected to be achieved by this role: Lead on the development of policy and legislation, consulting with delivery partners and the Scottish livestock industry to ensure legislation is fit for purpose and meets required policy objectives. Drafting legal instructions and working with SG Legal Directorate. Produce ministerial submissions and briefings, draft replies to ministerial correspondence, parliamentary questions and media queries relevant to policy. Represent the Scottish Government at meetings with other Government Departments and stakeholders. Assist in the control and eradication of animal disease outbreaks. Work with delivery partners and industry stakeholders on the development and operation of exotic disease policy to ensure its effectiveness in the event of an outbreak. Participate in contingency planning training exercises for animal disease outbreaks, to ensure contingency plans are fit for purpose, and identify and deliver lessons identified from exercises. Assist in the development and delivery of events / projects / communication strategies, to promote biosecurity and disease prevention in the Scottish rural and livestock sectors (including small-scale keepers and larger industry bodies). Qualifications Success Profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Experience Previous experience working in a policy environment including: drafting submissions and PQs briefing Ministers stakeholder engagement working with consultations responding to MiCase enquiries working with legislation. Behaviours Communicating and Influencing - Level 3 Making Effective Decisions - Level 3 Delivering at Pace – Level 3 You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here Success Profiles How to apply Apply online before midnight 28 April 2025, 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. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an Interview and Written Analysis Exercise. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 12 May 2025 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. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. 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.