Description Are you looking for a highly varied role in a policy area that is a priority for ministers, and attracts significant political and public interest? This is a business-critical role ensuring accountability and statutory compliance for the £90m Discretionary Housing Payments budget. It involves financial management and policy development to support the Scottish Government’s mitigation of UK Government welfare reforms, such as the bedroom tax, benefit cap, and local housing allowance. These policies contribute to key national priorities, including the PfG, the Best Start, Bright Futures child poverty plan, and the Ending Homelessness Together action plan, playing a direct role in responding to the housing emergency. The post-holder will oversee the forecasting, budgeting, and allocation of funds to local authorities, working closely with the Scottish Fiscal Commission, Exchequer, DG Finance, COSLA, and local government finance teams. They will engage with statisticians, analysts, and local authority leaders to ensure effective financial planning and distribution. Collaboration is required across Local Government, Housing, Social Security, Tackling Child Poverty, Social Justice, and Legal Services, as well as with third-sector stakeholders, the Department for Work and Pensions, and other devolved administrations. Additionally, the post-holder will coordinate the Scottish Government’s response to the forthcoming Housing Affordability Working Group report, supporting the Housing to 2040 commitment to develop a shared understanding of housing affordability. Responsibilities Develop and enhance Discretionary Housing Payment policy to better support ministers’ ambitions in relation to tackling child poverty and ending homelessness. Analyse Discretionary Housing Payment spending and other data to identify opportunities for better utilisation of funds. Lead on the annual cycle of budget development, Accountable Officer approval, funding allocation, funding disbursement, spending return compilation, and accounts finalisation. Contribute to the development of policy around the housing element of universal credit, including the abolition of the bedroom tax, the implications of UK Government benefit cap and Local Housing Allowance rate policies. Liaise with the Department for Work and Pensions to understand the impacts of changes to reserved welfare policy where they affect housing support in Scotland. Support relationship management with key stakeholders, particularly with local authorities to improve delivery and uptake of Discretionary Housing Payments. Assist in coordinating the secretariat for the Housing Affordability Working Group and the development of the Scottish Government response the working group’s report and recommendations. Provide high-quality, timely advice and briefing to senior officials and ministers. Coordinate team responses to FOIs, correspondence at various levels, and PQs. Qualifications Success Profiles: Success 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 Context and Purpose – Level 1 Working with Ministers – Level 1 Behaviours: Seeing the big picture – Level 3 Making effective decisions – Level 3 Communicating and influencing – Level 3 Managing a quality service – Level 3 How to Apply Closing date Wednesday 26th March 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. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and a presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 7th April 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. This post is location neutral (homelessness unit staff currently work in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee) and in line with our current ways of working, our team follows a hybrid working approach, where colleagues use a mix of office based and remote working (working from home) depending on the requirements of the role and personal circumstances. 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.