Deputy Head of UK, EU and International Relations

This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity, available on a lateral move basis only. Applications are open to Core Scottish Government employees only. 

Job Title – Deputy Head of UK, EU and International Relations

Location – Scotland House, London

Working Arrangement – The post is full time, office-based and features regular evening working. This is supported by flexible working options subject to discussion and business need. The Scotland House London team agreement sets out an expectation of 80% in-person activity across engagement in the office and at stakeholder meetings and events.

Grade -  B3

Advert type -  Permanent

Eligibility -  Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer from Core SG only. 

Overview

The Scottish Government’s London office has a fantastic opportunity to join the team representing Scottish interests in London, offering an unrivalled opportunity to combine policy advice, diplomatic engagement and exposure to Ministers and other senior stakeholders.

You will be based at Scotland House London in a distinctive partnership between Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise/SDI, Visit Scotland and Scotland Food and Drink. Scotland House provides a platform for the development of trade and investment links, the deepening of Scotland’s international networks and diplomatic relations, the strengthening of government to government relations and facilitation of collaboration on economic, academic and innovation projects and partnerships.

You will have the opportunity to represent Scotland’s interests in London. You will also work in a cross-agency environment, working within a diverse team to deliver tangible outcomes across a broad suite of policy priorities. As a representative of the Scottish Government, political acuity will be important as you facilitate our engagement with the international community to deliver our priorities as defined in the latest Programme for Government. 

The role will be cross-government and cross-agency, working closely with our platform partner SDI in particular, to support the delivery of a comprehensive work programme to promote top Scottish Government international and economic priorities, providing exposure to international counterparts.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong internal stakeholder networks, engaging with cross-government policy colleagues to build relationships and widen networks to further develop Scotland’s international relations.
• Build, maintain and widen strong external stakeholder networks, including with diplomatic missions, the Scottish diaspora, academia and think tanks to support the aims of the Scottish Government’s refreshed International Strategy.
• Lead the planning and delivery of ministerial programmes and policy promotion events which deliver high profile and meaningful engagements to leverage London networks of influence and promote Scotland’s international priorities.
• Lead delivery of comprehensive and ambitious programmes to grow international partnerships and economic benefits for Scotland in areas of thematic responsibility including Culture & Creative Industries.
• Represent the Scottish Government at a range of levels, and across a diverse spectrum of diplomatic and policy specific networking events, and gather, analyse and report intelligence from a range of sources on UK, European and International current affairs to inform the Scottish Government’s policy agenda. 
• Lead Ministerial briefings and play an active role in Scotland House London’s corporate activity including correspondence (FOIs) and organisational development (Away Day) activity.

Success Profiles

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on. 

Experience

• Working on international priorities of the Scottish Government as outlined in the International Strategy

Technical/Professional Skills: 

• Working with Ministers – Level 2 – Practitioner

See more information on these skills here - Policy Profession Standards       

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing - Level 3 / Senior Executive Officer (SEO) grades or equivalent

• Working Together - Level 3 / Senior Executive Officer (SEO) grades or equivalent

• Delivering at Pace - Level 3 / Senior Executive Officer (SEO) grades or equivalent

• Seeing the big picture – Level 3 / Senior Executive Officer (SEO) grades or equivalent

See more information about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK
 

This role is 3 years with 1 year potential extension, subject to agreement.  Following conclusion of the post, the postholder would remain as part of the Directorate for Culture and External Affairs until a new suitable role is found.

Further Information 

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact Bronach Hughes, Head of UK, EU and International Relations at Scotland House London at [email protected] or [email protected].

Applications for this EoI should be submitted by no later than Friday 11^th September 2026 23:59.

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 a light touch interview. 

Discussions are scheduled for early September however this may be subject to change.

The successful candidate will be expected to take up the post as soon as practicable, subject to release arrangements with their current team and any relocation requirements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their intention to apply with their line manager prior to submitting an application. A short period of remote working is expected prior to relocation to London, with a preference for relocation before the New Year.

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.

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 observing the Civil Service Codeand 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.

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.