Details
Reference number
450258
Salary
£52,420 - £55,041
A £312 tax-free working from home allowance is also payable annually.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Other
Contract type
Fixed term
Length of employment
12 months
Business area
TEC - Planning and performance
Type of role
Business Management and Improvement
Working pattern
Full-time
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Edinburgh
About the job
Job summary
About the Electoral Commission
The Electoral Commission is the UK's independent body overseeing elections and regulating political finance. Everything we do is about ensuring trust, participation, and integrity in the democratic process.
As we enter a bold new chapter under our five-year Corporate Plan, we are increasing our workforce and transforming how we plan and deliver core services. This post plays a central role in that journey.
Job description
About the role
As Manager for Scotland (maternity cover), you'll play a pivotal role in delivering the Commission's strategic priorities and deputise where appropriate for the Head of Electoral Commission, Scotland. This is a high-profile position where your duties are likely to include:
* Leading and inspiring a talented team to deliver projects and operational plans in accordance with the Commission's Corporate Plans.
* Representing the Commission at senior external meetings, including Scottish Parliament Committee members.
* Building strong relationships with Ministers, MSPs, political parties, and key stakeholders.
* Overseeing exciting communications, partnerships and engagement work.
* Overseeing policy development and research, scrutinising legislation and advising on electoral reform.
* Managing budgets and contributing to corporate governance and planning
As the team is going through a period of growth and change, the exact distribution of functions may change over the period of the cover role. This will be discussed with the role holder.
Person specification
About the team
Our Scotland team is collaborative, expert, and passionate about strengthening democracy. We work closely with colleagues across the UK to ensure the devolved perspective is fully understood and reflected in all the Commission's work, and, in turn, that we are connected to, and represent, the wider work of the Commission. You'll join a supportive environment where your expertise and leadership will make a real impact.
Who we're looking for
You'll be an experienced leader with a strong understanding of Scotland's political and governmental systems and the wider UK context. You'll thrive in a role that demands strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage complex, high-profile issues under public scrutiny. You will be able to balance delivery with building supportive relationships and creating a cohesive, inclusive culture.
Essential skills and experience:
* Leadership and management experience and/or knowledge of good management practice
* Experience of building, or making a significant contribution to, a cohesive and inclusive culture
* Experience of building productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders in a complex environment, including at senior levels
* Excellent written and oral communication skills
* Strong organisation and planning skills, with an ability to work well under pressure and manage time of self and others effectively
* Ability to inspire confidence in the team, colleagues at all levels and external stakeholders
* Ability to make good judgments about complex and high-profile issues
Desirable skills and experience:
* Experience of policy development, preferably in the public sector
* Experience of communications and public affairs
* Experience of working in a relevant field, such as government, a regulator or the wider electoral community
* Knowledge of the framework in which the Electoral Commission operates, electoral administration and/or political finance
* Budget and project management experience
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £52,420, The Electoral Commission contributes £15,186 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Why work for us?
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of elections and political finance in Scotland. You'll gain exposure to senior decision-makers, influence policy, and develop in a respected national organisation.
We offer:
* Flexible working and hybrid model (40% office attendance minimum).
* 28 rising to 30 days annual leave + bank holidays.
* Civil Service pension scheme (28.97% employer contribution).
* Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
How to apply
We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. To help reduce unconscious bias and ensure all applicants are assessed solely on their skills, knowledge and experience, we use an anonymous recruitment process.
When applying, please provide an anonymised CV which omits your protected characteristics and any personally identifiable information:
Do not include:
* Your name, address, phone number, email or other contact details
* Your date of birth or age
* Gender, ethnicity, nationality or other personal identifiers
* A photo of yourself
* Remove educational dates as these are a clear indication of your age
* There is no requirement to include your primary education details.
Do include:
* Your employment history including employers and dates of employment
* Explanation for gaps in your history
* Your duties, responsibilities and achievement
If your CV contains personal details (such as your name or contact information), we will be unable to consider your application. Please double-check your documents before submitting, including the file name you use to save and upload your CV.
Supporting disabled applicants
The Electoral Commission is proud to be a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. As part of this commitment, we aim to prioritise interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria listed in the job description.
There may, however, be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. For example, during periods of exceptionally high application volumes or seasonal recruitment activity, the Commission may need to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both disabled and non-disabled applicants.
If you have a disability and would like to be considered under this commitment, please indicate this when you apply. We also welcome requests for reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process or within the workplace.
Key dates
* Application deadline: Sunday 22nd February (23:59)
* Interviews (1st stage): Week commencing 2nd March
* Interviews (2nd stage): Week commencing 16th March
This is a fixed-term contract to cover a period of maternity leave, expected to last for 12 months or until the return of the substantive post holder if this is before the expected end date. Appropriate notice in accordance with your terms and conditions will be given.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
* Name : Talent Acquisition Team
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
Raising a Concern About the Recruitment Process
At the Electoral Commission, we are committed to delivering fair, inclusive, and transparent recruitment. Our recruitment practices are guided by Civil Service values and comply with the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant legislation.
If you have concerns about the way a recruitment process has been conducted, we encourage you to raise them with us.
How to Make a Complaint
If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our recruitment process, you can contact us directly by email:
Please include the following information:
The job title or reference number
A clear explanation of your concern
Any relevant supporting information
Your preferred contact details
We aim to respond to all complaints within two working days.
Our Commitment
All complaints are treated seriously and in confidence. They are handled in line with our Recruitment Policy and the relevant provisions of the Equality Act 2010, Employment Rights Act 1996, and the Data Protection Act 2018.
If you require this information in an alternative format, or need additional support, please contact us at or call