Description Are you passionate about creating the conditions for children and families in Scotland to thrive? The Children and Families Directorate is committed to making Scotland the best place in the world to grow up. We work across Education and Skills, Health and Social Care, and Justice to promote wellbeing, early childhood development, children’s rights, and keeping the Promise to care-experienced children. Our mission is to collaboratively drive transformational change to improve the lives of children, young people, and families. This post sits in the Strategy Unit within the Director’s Office. The team provides strategic support to the Director and Senior Leadership Team, develops and delivers the Directorate’s mission, vision, and objectives, and leads on cross-cutting priorities like coordinating responses to the Covid Inquiries. You will work collaboratively with teams across the Directorate, other areas of Scottish Government, and external stakeholders. This role requires a sound understanding of policies aimed at improving outcomes for children and families, strong organisational skills, resilience, and the ability to handle competing priorities effectively. Responsibilities Provide strategic support for achieving the Directorate’s mission, vision, values and objectives through a programme of continuous improvement. Support strategic external engagement and communications, including through the work programme of the Children and Families National Leadership Group. Build and maintain effective relationships across the Directorate and across relevant policy areas within Scottish Government. Co-ordinate and provide briefings for a variety of meetings and engagements. Support the co-ordination of the Directorate responses to the Covid Inquiries. Providing leadership and effective line management, ensuring staff are supported to meet their objectives and that their wellbeing is supported. Success Profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Qualifications Technical / Professional Skills: Policy, context and purpose- Practitioner You can find out more about the skills required here: Policy Profession Standards Behaviours: Making effective decisions- level 4 Changing and improving- level 4 Communicating and influencing- level 4 Working together- level 4 You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here. 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 17/02 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. Based in Edinburgh, the role follows a hybrid working model, combining office attendance approximately once a fortnight (subject to business needs) with remote working. This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on Scotland’s children and families. 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.