Description
Are you ready to play a key role in recruiting members of Scotland's judiciary, bringing your administration skills, attention to detail, and ability to earn the trust of senior figures?
The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland (JABS) is the advisory Non-Departmental Public Body that recruits new members of the judiciary. JABS plans and runs recruitment competitions for roles ranging from High Court judges and sheriffs to tribunal members and presidents. The JABS Board then recommends to Scottish Ministers who should be appointed. JABS' programme of work is likely to continue to expand as we take on recruitment for new areas of the justice system which are transferred to within JABS remit, and JABS will be exploring how it can adapt its ways of working to meet demand.
The Business Management Unit (BMU) is a team of Scottish Government staff seconded to JABS to support the Board in delivering these competitions. You will play a vital role at the heart of the process, helping to ensure high-calibre candidates for judicial offices are recommended through robust, high-quality processes.
You will provide key support to judicial recruitment competitions at all stages. You will often be required to provide support to multiple competitions, so the ability to manage competing workloads is an essential skill.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
* Provide support to Appointments Managers running appointment rounds to select applicants for recommendation for judicial office on behalf of the Board. This will involve providing support to the sifting process and making interview arrangements.
* Dealing with email and telephone enquiries and other correspondence from applicants and others appropriately and timeously.
* Work with the Office Administrator to review the appointment documentation and administrative guidelines at strategic times throughout the year.
* Liaise with Board Members to ensure their participation in the various stages of the process and external stakeholders as required
* Assist with preparation for monthly Board Meetings which will include the distribution of the agenda and papers for the meeting and general organisation.
* Supporting the organisation of JABS outreach and other events
* Provide PA support as required to the JABS Chairing Member and Senior Management Team.
* Support the Digital and Continuous Improvement Manager with the maintenance of the JABS website and social media channels.
* Assist Head of Operations and Finance Manager with maintaining financial records and processing payments using SG financial systems.
* Assist Head of Operations and Digital and Continuous Improvement Manager in managing electronic filing systems in line with JABS record management plan.
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.
Experience:
1. Strong administrative and organisational skills, with the ability to plan and prioritise competing workloads using own initiative where appropriate.
2. Experience in dealing with complex information from multiple sources confidently and accurately.
Behaviours
* Communicating and influencing – Level 2
* Working Together – Level 2
* Delivering at Pace – Level 2
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement of no more than 1000 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.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and Presentation.
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
This is a hybrid role, however the post-holders are required to support work of the Board and its members as well as senior BMU staff and will be required to attend our office in Edinburgh as needed.
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 the 16 February 2026. This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only.