Description Job Description The Food & Drink Division is responsible for developing and implementing policy to accelerate growth of a sector that is a major contributor to the Scottish economy and for leading on progress towards a Good Food Nation. The work is supported by Scotland’s new industry led Food and Drink Strategy – Sustaining Scotland. Supplying the World - launched by the First Minister in June 2023. We have two B3 posts available in the Food and Drink Industry Growth Team. This is a highly reactive area and the team is often the first port of call on new and emerging issues impacting the wider food and drink sector. The first role is on the Industry Growth side which supports the delivery of the industry led Food and Drink Strategy through partnership working with the wider Scotland Food and Drink Partnership. The team supports the Scottish Development International Export Plan and also runs a number of specific programmes within the wholesale and food and drink retail sectors. This involves significant engagement with a wide range of stakeholders and policy colleagues around Scottish Government and UK Government. Your role will be to provide support and often lead on the financial sponsorship of Scotland Food and Drink in delivering the Strategy. There will also be frequent engagement within the food and drink retail sector with the aim of increasing volume of Scottish produce within the retail setting. You will also be responsible for a number of grant funded programmes within the wholesale and convenience sector. The second role is in the Industry Development Team which supports a range of specific industry bodies and sectors including the iconic whisky sector. The team has significant engagement with Ministers and a wide range of stakeholders and policy colleagues around Government. The team is also responsible for sponsorship of the newly established Scottish Pubs Code Adjudicator. Your role will be to lead on the sponsorship of the Adjudicator which will include responsibility for statutory reviews. You will lead on engagement with Food and Drink Federation Scotland and the seafood, bakery and venison sectors. You will also lead on Scottish Government's involvement in issues concerning the wine sector. Both roles involve exposure to Ministers including through ministerial visits and events, parliamentary work and government systems such as MiCase and Parliamentary Questions (PQs). This is a small team and so in both roles, there is a need for flexibility around the work to be done, especially during busy periods or when colleagues are on leave. Responsibilities Role 1 responsibilities Sponsorship of Scotland Food and Drink in their delivery of the Food and Drink Strategy – Sustaining Scotland: Supplying the world. Ongoing monitoring of the grants the team is responsible for across the wholesale and food convenience sectors. Engagement in and monitoring of the Food and Drink Export plan, funded by Scottish Government (SG) and delivered by Scottish Development International. Development and monitoring of capital grants schemes to food and drink producers Support for the food and drink sector in Scotland through ongoing liaison with key stakeholders across the industry as and when issues arise. Work as part of a small team responsible for policy development around Geographical Indications, taking forward actions required throughout the panel process with Ministers and UK Government. Building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of SG colleagues and other government administrations to ensure policy cohesion within Scotland and across the UK. Leading on or supporting activity related to PQs, press queries, ministerial briefings and speeches as well as supporting ministers at meetings and events arranged with stakeholders. Role 2 responsibilities Sponsorship of the newly set up Scottish Pubs Code Adjudicator, ensuring that there is an efficient and rigorous public body assurance and oversight process in place. Lead on day-to-day management of Scottish Government’s relationship with the body. Oversight of the loan provided by SG and establishment of the industry levy that is due to be introduced by the Adjudicator. Ongoing monitoring of the Scottish Pubs Code Adjudicator and Scottish Pubs Code operation, and leadership of the statutory reviews, the first of which is due from March 2026. Support for the food and drink manufacturing industry in Scotland through ongoing liaison with Food and Drink Federation Scotland. Support for the seafood processing sector, working with colleagues in SG Marine and Seafood Scotland. Involvement in the Seafish public body levy review work, working with UK Government and SG colleagues and industry as appropriate. Policy development on wine regulations, taking forward the wine reform package in liaison with Defra and SGLD. Support for the venison and bakery sectors, in liaison with Scottish Venison and Scottish Bakers. Building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of SG colleagues and other government administrations to ensure policy cohesion within Scotland and across the UK. Leading on or supporting activity related to PQs, press queries, ministerial briefings and speeches as well as supporting ministers at meetings and events arranged with stakeholders. Qualifications 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: Policy Context and Purpose - Level 1 – Developing (Criteria being tested - Understanding the policy process). Participation and Engagement - Level 1 – Developing (Criteria being tested - Participation by stakeholders in the policy process). Working with Ministers - Level 1 - Developing You can find out more about the skills required here: Detailed Descriptors Experience: Policy experience is essential. Behaviours: Delivering at Pace – Level 3 Communicating and Influencing - Level 3 Working Together - Level 3 You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot How to apply Apply online before midnight 30 June 2025, 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. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 14 July 2025 however this may be subject to change. In the event of a tied interview/assessment score, merit order will be determined by score in Working Together and Policy Experience criteria. 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. 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.