Description Job Description An exciting opportunity has arisen to support the Scottish Government’s ambitions to prevent hate crime through building cohesive, resilient and supportive communities. This is a high profile, cross-cutting policy area which attracts keen Ministerial, Parliamentary and media interest. The successful applicant will require a focus on delivery, the ability to work at pace and a pro-active and engaging approach with stakeholders. Hate Crime and Faith and Belief policy areas have a shared focus on building cohesive communities that ensures Scotland is a peaceful, resilient and inclusive society for all, and are led by the same Team Leader. The team sits within the Mainstreaming and Inclusion Division of the Equality, Inclusion, and Human Rights (EIHR) Directorate. You will lead the development and delivery of our approach to maintaining and building cohesive communities as set out within the Hate Crime Strategy and associated Delivery Plan. This work considers cohesive communities, particularly through the lens of community tensions and preventing hate crime across protected characteristics, working with colleagues across the Directorate and wider SG to ensure a joined up and holistic approach. Tensions can be fuelled by a wide range of factors and more recently we see the increasing impact geopolitical events are having on our communities, so as a priority you will lead the further development and refinement of our reassurance role. You will work in partnership with a broad range of internal and external partners and, as such, will need to maintain and develop networks and relationships both within and outside of the Scottish Government to drive this agenda. Responsibilities Ensure a cross-cutting and cross-portfolio approach to building cohesive communities as a means of preventing hate crime that is rooted in prevention, promoting equality, and fostering good relations within and between communities. Lead on a programme of work to deliver activity to support prevention and community cohesion, including as set out in Scotland’s Hate Crime Strategy and associated Delivery Plan, working closely with the B3 Strategy Manager and relevant policy colleagues. Lead and coordinate Scottish Government’s approach towards tackling Islamophobia and Antisemitism, including a specific focus on raising awareness of our approach. Lead on community reassurance in response to significant incidents such as terror attacks or significant hate crime, working across the Scottish Government and with external stakeholders. Oversee the Scottish Government’s response to Holocaust Memorial Day in Scotland. Provide high quality, politically acute and timeous briefing and advice to Ministers and senior management, as well as oversight of MiCases, PQs and Parliamentary correspondence where necessary. The postholder will also be expected to support the work of the wider Division as required. Line Management responsibilities of of one member of staff, and a support role for a member of staff who works 50% with this policy team and 50% with the faith and belief policy team. 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: 1. Participation and Engagement - Level 2 Practitioner Enable participation by stakeholders in the policy process. Seek enhanced transparency and openness - Uses collaborative and direct approaches to encourage stakeholder participation from the earliest opportunity, throughout the development and implementation of the policy; plans when and how engagement will take place. Develops communication and public engagement skills; builds confidence in representing policy area, individually and as a policy team. Deliver effective external communication – Analyses input from stakeholders, consultation or participation and uses this to inform the evidence base when providing advice (e.g. to ministers, senior officials or Parliament). Engage expert of analytical and communication colleagues where relevant. 2. Working with Ministers - Level 2 Practitioner You can find out more about the skills required here: Overview and Detailed Descriptors Behaviours Working together – (Level 3) Communicating and Influencing - (Level 3) Making effective decisions - (Level 3) Delivering at pace – (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 19 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 7 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 Communicating and Influencing 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.