Description Job Description Are you looking for a new challenge that offers the opportunity to work in an area responsible for a range of policies and approaches focused on reducing offending? The Community Justice Division is responsible for a range of policies and approaches which are focused on reducing reoffending. This includes reducing the use of imprisonment through greater use of community sentences and other interventions; working with the Justice Social Work, Scottish Prison Service and other partners to ensure that rehabilitation opportunities are available for those who receive a custodial sentence; and supporting the successful reintegration of people leaving prison. As a Finance and Policy Officer, you will have the opportunity to acquire Finance and policy skills along with a technical understanding of high profile areas within Scottish Government. The team currently consists of a C1,3 x B3s, 3 B1s (including this post) and an A3. Responsibilities Provide support to Finance Manager with daily financial transactions, which include monitoring, reporting, and analysing grant applications and claims. Process payments and finalise budget transactions. Prepare grant allocation letters, gather information from grant returns, managing grant funding and produce monthly reconciliation returns that identify any variances in expenditure. Communicate financial information with a wide range of stakeholders both internal and external stakeholders, including local authorities, third sector organisations and other policy areas across Scottish Government to ensure the team’s budgets are managed effectively. Oversee general funding queries received, preparing draft replies which are clear and concise, consulting with staff across the team and wider division, whenever necessary. Provide advice and draft submissions on finance and grant funding applications. This includes drafting advice on annual changes in funding for local authorities and third sect grant applications, including drafting of grant offer letters. Provide cross directorate support to policy areas involved in reducing the use of custodial sentencing and alternative diversions from prosecution which includes attending meetings, drafting minutes and contributing to policy development. Oversight of the divisional mailboxes and complete administrative tasks such as, raising Purchase Orders and arranging meetings. Provide first drafts for Parliamentary Questions, MiCases, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and Subject Access Requests (SARs). 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. Experience Building and applying knowledge – learn about the community justice funding administered, the budgetary process, including grant applications and the administration and processing of grant offers Strong organisational skills - ability to prioritise work and carry our tasks in a precise and accurate manner with minimal supervision. Behaviours: Behaviours are listed in the Profession Job Profile, marked with a star (*). each of these need to have the Level included – this is based on the grade (see Job Advert Guide for further information). Making Effective Decisions - Level 2 Working Together - Level 2 Communicating and Influencing - Level 2 Managing a Quality Service - Level 2 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 750 words which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples 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, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment. Artificial intelligence (AI) within the recruitment process 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. Working pattern Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. From October 2025, the Scottish Government will require staff in hybrid-compatible roles to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. Security checks Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions). You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide. 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. Apply before 23:59 on 3 September 2025. This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only.