General Information
Salary
£42,914 - £46,182
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
Edinburgh
Region
National
Closing Date
19-Sep-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
9119
Descriptions & requirements
Job description
Senior Policy Adviser (SEO), Energy and Net Zero - Scotland Office
Do you have a keen interest in energy and net zero matters?
Are you good at forming professional relationships? Able to get to the nub of policy matters and propose solutions that will have real impact? Looking for a role w your creativity and communication skills will be valued, and w you will have the autonomy to work on interesting projects supporting a key UK Government priority?
If you are ready to take the next step in your career, then we are looking for an enthusiastic and talented person to join our busy and friendly Energy and Net Zero team located in the Domestic Policy Group of the Policy Division in the Scotland Office, based in Edinburgh or London.
The Scotland Office supports the Secretary of State for Scotland. We are Scotland's voice in Whitehall and the UK Government's voice in Scotland. That gives us a job like few others in government. The Secretary of State has identified 'green energy' as one of his priorities, so this is a high profile area of work for the department.
The Energy and Net Zero team is responsible for providing ministers, special advisers and senior officials with advice on energy and net zero matters as they relate to Scotland. The team plays a crucial role in shaping UK energy policy and influencing how it will impact in Scotland. As such the Energy and Net Zero team is involved in a wide range of issues, including: investment in and the development of clean and low carbon energy projects and innovative green technologies in Scotland; the UK Government's Clean Power 2030 Action Plan; the future of North Sea oil and gas and the transition to Net Zero.
You will have the opportunity to lead on a wide variety of work including policy, strategy and relationship management, in a supportive environment. This is a great opportunity for an enthusiastic individual who is keen to use their initiative to conceive and manage projects while collaborating and building trust in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. You will use your knowledge of the devolution settlement to contextualise energy and net zero matters within the current political landscape, and be motivated by having the opportunity to contribute to the prosperity and future wellbeing of Scotland. This role presents great development opportunities.
Key responsibilities for the role:
* Supporting the UK Government's clean power agenda, a key ministerial priority.
Working- ly with other Whitehall departments, including DESNZ, to advise on policy developments, in particular devolution assessments and ensuring UK Government policy decisions are relevant, applicable and impactful in a Scottish context.
* Representing the Scotland Office in cross-government meetings and at meetings, working groups, and other events with external stakeholders.
* Drafting replies to Cabinet Committee, Ministerial and Official correspondence on policy issues. In addition, preparing responses to Parliamentary Questions and FOI requests as well as briefing for ministerial meetings, visits and events, all to the expected standards and within agreed deadlines.
Essential criteria
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills involving a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external, at all levels.
* Ability to think strategically, making links across organisational and subject boundaries to deliver shared outcomes.
* Strong planning and organisation skills including the ability to balance competing priorities to meet tight deadlines.
Desirable criteria
* Ability to prepare clear and succinct policy advice, recommendations and briefings to government ministers, special advisers and senior officials.
* Experience of working in a fast-paced environment, with high levels of personal autonomy.
* Experience of working in one or more policy areas simultaneously, or a demonstrable ability to quickly develop a credible level of expertise and judgement.
* Subject area expertise, such as experience of working in the energy industry or in energy-related policy.
* Line management experience.
We will assess against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Making Effective Decisions (lead)
* Communicating and Influencing
* Delivering at Pace
* Working Together.
Please note the following:
* We will operate a six month reserve list for similar SEO roles which may arise in the Scotland Office.
* We are recruiting using Ministry of Justice terms and conditions, but this is not a MoJ role. For substantive civil servants we are able to offer the MoJ terms or offer the option of a loan agreement with the home department.
* The security clearance required for this role is BPSS.
Additional Information
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements w business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).
For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).
Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, w they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service.
T is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. T are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Eligibility
Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.
Vacancies advertised "cross-government" are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.
Support
* A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
* Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
* For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at
* Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
* Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
* To Transformative Business Services Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-);
* To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-);
To the Civil Service Commission (details available- )
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wver it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
Civil Service Nationality Rules
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) (opens in a new window)
* 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 (opens in a new window)
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.
Contact Information
MoJ:
If you require any assistance please call Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-
Please quote the job reference: 9119
HMPPS
If you require any assistance please call Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-
Please quote the job reference 9119
Job Description Attachment
* SEO Job Description (Job Description Attachment)
Select new file
Application form stage assessments
Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, w all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
500
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Working Together
Interview stage assessments
Interview Dates
Expected: Mid-October
Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Working Together
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)