Description Job Description Are you looking for an opportunity to work right at the heart of government and in close proximity to the First Minister in a challenging, fast-moving and rewarding role? You will support the Head of First Minister’s Questions Team to lead the rest of the team and ensure the FM is supported to the highest standard each week. In addition to this you will engage with officials of all grades right across Government and partner bodies to access, compile and interrogate information. You will also be required to understand the current political context and engage face-to-face with the First Minister, senior Ministers and special advisors. You will play a key role to ensure that the First Minister is prepared for the weekly parliamentary question session, understanding the issues which might be raised by the opposition and preparing the FM to answer questions through written and oral briefing. Responsibilities Providing a comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date briefing pack to the First Minister for the weekly FMQ sessions. Working with colleagues at all levels across the organisation to commission and draft high-quality written submissions, ensuring the Scottish Government’s position is clear and robust. Liaising with other members of the FM Policy Unit, special advisers and policy colleagues to horizon scan and plan for matters that might arise at FMQs. Contributing to FMQ prep sessions and orally briefing the First Minister on issues that may come up at FMQs. Closely monitoring running issues to ensure the briefing is relevant and any updates are provided to the First Minister. Line managing other members of the FMQ team, which at present comprises a Head of Team, 2 FMQ Managers, a Senior FMQ Officer and an FMQ officer. Managing and improving the wider FMQ process, ensuring that procedures are constantly reviewed to ensure the system is operating effectively. Providing training and feedback to colleagues across the organisation to help raise the quality of briefing provided and help raise political acuity. Responsibilities Success Profile 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: Data, Analysis and Scientific Advice - Level 1 Working with Ministers - Level 2 Parliament and Law - Level 2 You can find out more about the skills required here: Policy Profession Standards Behaviours: Seeing the Big Picture - Level 4 Communicating and Influencing - Level 4 Making Effective Decisions - Level 4 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 750 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 presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 14th May however this may be subject to change. Qualifications 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. Some out of hours working will be required as part of this role – particularly across Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. When parliament is sitting, you will be required to work late on Wednesday evening and from very early on Thursday, as part of the FMQ briefing cycle. Additional hours worked on these days can be offset by reduced hours elsewhere in the week to remain consistent with contracted hours - For example, many of the FMQ team take Fridays off. 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 Office attendance of a minimum of 3 days a week is required with the successful candidate attending St Andrews House on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and attending Parliament on Thursdays. Due to the nature of this post there is a restriction on annual leave being taken when parliament is sitting, these restrictions are lifted when parliament is in recess. 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.