Description Job Description Would you like an exciting opportunity to work in an interesting and relevant policy area which has a real impact on the health and wellbeing of the population? The pharmacy profession is entering one the largest changes in its history with newly qualified pharmacists graduating as independent prescribers from August 2026. As part of the Pharmacy Policy Team you will engage with a range of internal and external stakeholders across a wide breadth of Health and Social Care related topics. You will have responsibility for aspects of the core activities related to the delivery of NHS community pharmacy services, workforce and education and training for the pharmacy profession. You will work on the developing the Scottish Government strategy and supporting infrastructure for Independent Prescribing Pharmacists (August 2026). You will work with senior SG colleagues, health board colleagues and support Ministers. Together all of these services play an important part by: Improving healthcare access for the public as they do not need an appointment to see their pharmacist. Being a key member of the team shaping the role of pharmacy within the Primary Care Multi-Disciplinary Team. Making best use of the workforce by more fully using the skills of community pharmacists and the pharmacy team. We support a range of activities that underpin the delivery of pharmaceutical care, across community, primary care and hospital pharmacy. Responsibilities Lead on the policy support for the national pharmacy workforce forum and the commissioned programmes of work that underpins its work. Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to lead, maintain and deliver pharmaceutical services, including service developments, workforce planning, digital and data developments and community pharmacy contract negotiations. Take forward the policy support for pharmacy digital and data capabilities, including the digital prescribing and dispensing pathway (DPDP) and the development and use of data to underpin service design and delivery. Responding to requests from Ministers, Communications and colleagues, ensuring the development of timely and high quality briefing on relevant aspects of pharmacy policy. Provide leadership on aspects of the policy to develop a new community pharmacy contractual arrangement and funding model, Health Board planning framework based on the pharmaceutical care needs of local populations and that also aligns with the wider reform work. Develop a strategic approach to joint working and positions to ensure pharmacy is aligned with the primary care and the wider reform programmes are to ensure an effective, person centred and integrated health and social care system. Line management of three/four senior policy managers. 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: Participation and Engagement (Practitioner Level) Policy Delivery and Systems (Practitioner Level) You can find out more about the skills required here: : Policy Profession Standards Annex Experience: Prior experience of engaging with a wide range of stakeholders is essential, more often than not with conflicting views. Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing (Level 4) Working Together (Level 4) Leadership (Level 4) Developing self and others (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 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 w/c 18 August 2025 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. About Pharmacy and Medicines Division Our Division, which is part of the Chief Medical Officer’s Directorate, is led by the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Professor Alison Strath, and has responsibility for the governance of the safe, efficient and effective use of medicines in NHS Scotland and for NHS pharmaceutical practice in the community, primary care, secondary care and public health. The Unit is headed by Head of Pharmacy Policy, a Team Leader (this post), four Senior Policy Managers, one Policy Manager and one Policy Officer. You will work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders across the UK, including Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS), Health Boards, NHS National Services Scotland (NSS), Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), Public Health Scotland (PHS), and the other Devolved and UK Government officials to progress policy and drive forward improvement in this high profile and high priority area. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to progress policy development and leadership experience in a collaborative and positive environment. Working Pattern and Location You will be based in St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh although hybrid working will apply, however some attendance in the office and travel to meetings will be required. The is a full-time role, but people with different working patterns are encouraged to apply, and we will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for this post. Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. 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.