Description Job Description Are you looking for a varied and rewarding role where you can be central in providing the delivery of funds to Scotland's rural community and ensuring that legislation is being complied with. If you looking for a challenging and varied role where you can utilise your operational delivery skills and are passionate about developing people and delivering a high quality service, then this is the role for you. RPID teams of professional agricultural, customer service and administrative staff are based in a network of 17 offices located around rural Scotland. These teams manage the implementation of agricultural, environmental and rural policies, process applications for funding and provide high quality customer service. As a Senior Agricultural Officer you will be responsible for leading, supporting and providing guidance to staff on a wide range of casework ensuring payment and inspection targets as well as dealing with tasks that are emerging through the Agricultural Reform Programme. You will actively manage and develop staff, assessing and delivering performance and training requirements and take responsibility for the health, safety and wellbeing of staff. Due to the nature of this role, a considerable amount of driving is involved therefore a valid driving licence that enables the candidate to drive in the UK is mandatory. Responsibilities Responsibilities Manage and develop staff, assessing and delivering performance and training requirements and take responsibility for the health, safety and wellbeing of staff. Develop detailed operational knowledge in a co-ordinator and scheme manger role that may be within your area or lead a specialist team across the Area Offices. This would include Basic Payment Scheme payments, land inspections, livestock inspections as well as approval of agri- environment schemes. Work with other delivery partners and stakeholders in the wider rural economy including representing RPID at meetings which may involve speaking to stakeholders/farmer/crofter groups. Participate in the management and delivery of plant health inspections, if required. Carry out appeal reviews and ensure all appeals are carried out within the guidance and legislative deadlines. Encourage, identify and promote improvement of processes carried out by the business by constant communication and engagement between RPID Area Office and HQ teams. Represent and carry out tasks on behalf of the Principal Agricultural Officer. Monitor and support teams to ensure work is being carried out in an efficient manner. Qualifications Qualifications Valid driving licence which enables you to drive in the UK - Please confirm in your CV/Personal Statement that you hold this qualification. Success Profile: Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Professional / Technical Skills: - Connections and communication – Builds and uses relationships and networks to share insights, customer views, and learning about the issues affecting service and delivery effectiveness and impact ( Practitioner level) Delivery and decision making at speed – Assesses and resets workloads as priorities change and supports team to sustain their resilience under pressure ( Practitioner level) Experience Experience of working within an operational delivery environment including organising and supporting teams to deliver processing or inspection activities. Detailed understanding of Scottish agricultural and the rural sector including practical experience of working in the sector. Behaviours Working together – Level 3 Managing a quality service – Level 3 You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here Success Profiles How to apply Apply online before midnight 9 April 2025, providing a CV and Supporting Statement of no more than 1500 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 28 April 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.