Senior Policy Officer (Grade E3) (Maternity Cover)
| Company: | Scottish Funding Council |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £49,938 to £58,134 a year |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | Edinburgh, EH12 5HD |
| Working pattern: | Hybrid - 4 days remote |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Posting date: | 6 Nov 2026 |
| Closing date: | 22 Nov 2026 |
Summary
Our ambition is for Scotland to be the best place in the world to learn, educate, research and innovate, so that all of our nation can flourish.
Our purpose is to create and sustain a world-leading system of tertiary education, research and innovation that changes lives for the better, enriches society and supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
In this role you will act as SFC's key contact for a portfolio of colleges and universities. This will include regular engagement with the institutions, monitoring of their delivery of SFC’s Outcomes Framework, managing key relationships, and providing written and oral briefings, advice and guidance both within SFC and externally, including to Scottish Government Ministers and officials.
This is a temporary position providing maternity cover.
Interviews are expected to be held week commencing 30 November 2026 (via Teams).
Key Responsibilities
Working as part of a team, lead engagement across a portfolio of colleges and universities, including regular engagement on the delivery of the designated priorities in the Outcomes Framework through the Assurance Model process.
Maintain current knowledge on a portfolio of institutions and use this information to monitor college and university contributions towards SFC’s Ouctomes Framework, and to brief colleagues and to respond to external queries, including from Scottish Government officials and Ministers.
Work with teams across SFC on a range of topics relevant to your portfolio of institutions, including monitoring and evaluating data and evidence to inform the assessment of institutional risk, and helping to identify/facilitate priority changes and developments and work to ensure their delivery. As part of the assurance process, bring together SFC teams for institutional case conferences.
Contribute to the development and implementation of SFC policy and practice, specifically on good governance:
Support the AD (Assurance and Outcomes, Governance) on the development and implementation of SFC’s good governance outcome within the Outcomes Framework (OF) and Assurance Model (AM) for Scotland’s colleges and universities, and respond to specific institutional governance issues.
Support the Regional Lead of the Highlands and Islands region on matters that relate to wider reform within the region.
Contribute to the development and implementation of SFC policy and practice, including the ongoing evaluation and enhancement of OFAM.
Write and present policy and strategy papers at committee and board level.
Contribute to external communications, and internal and external guidance.
Represent SFC at external meetings, conferences and other events, including giving presentations, chairing and facilitating discussions when required.
Essential requirements
It is important through your CV / Cover Letter that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria: Essential: Strong interpersonal skills, including experience of representation and negotiation. Proven ability to analyse, understand and respond to complex issues in an appropriate manner, demonstrating good judgement. Strong organisational and project management abilities to cope with diverse and changing workload in a politicised environment. Ability to interpret, analyse and explain complex information to audiences with varying degrees of expertise. Ability to think and act strategically. High-level oral and written communication skills. Ability to manage and develop staff. Good IT skills. Strong policy development or implementation experience. Degree level education (SCQF level 9) or equivalent experience.
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