Description Are you looking for a role where you can have a real impact on Scotland's International Education Strategy? The International Higher Education Unit leads the Scottish Government's approach to attracting and welcoming international students, staff, and researchers to our world leading universities and colleges. The International Higher Education Unit Team sits with the Skills Division of Lifelong Learning and Skills (LLS). This is an area of government where you can make a real difference. It involves working on a wide range of interesting issues and with diverse stakeholders. Support for staff-welling and development is a key priority of the Directorate. The Directorate is responsible for policy and funding for universities, colleges, research, skills and apprenticeships, and community learning and development in Scotland, with an annual budget of around £3 billion. This is an exciting time to join the Directorate as it embarks on a 10-year journey to transform Scotland’s education and skills system. Scotland’s International Education Strategy sets out our collective aim to create the conditions for our universities and colleges to continue to flourish, ensuring international competitiveness and the resilience to deliver a sector that continues to underpin Scotland’s economic prosperity, cultural diversity, and open and welcoming reputation. The International Higher Education Team Leader will play a critical role in ensuring the delivery of the priority actions within the IES. Responsibilities Lead and manage a team to deliver high profile work in a fast paced environment. Work collaboratively to ensure policy join-up across the Scottish Government, especially with the Directorate for Culture and External Affairs. Provide high quality support to Ministers and senior Scottish Government officials, including drafting speeches, answering PQs, and co-ordinating briefings. Lead key areas of work prioritised in the International Education Strategy, in particular, further developing and delivering the Scottish Education Exchange Programme. Develop and refine the policy approach to re-joining Erasmus in collaboration with the EU Relations Team and other key stakeholders, and lead on any associated Ministerial engagement. Build and maintain effective relationships with external partners to delivery the aims of the IES. 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. Experience: Working with confidence with Ministers and senior officials in the Scottish Government and partner organisations, providing clear, concise and insightful advice, both in writing and face-to-face. Behaviours: Seeing the bigger picture - Level 4 Leadership - Level 4 Developing self and others - Level 4 Making effective decisions - Level 4 For more information on success profiles see here; Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot How to apply 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 presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 12th May 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.