Deputy Private Secretary

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 Private Secretary to the Law Officers

Business Area/Directorate – SGLD: Private Office for the Law Officers

Location – Crown Office, Chambers Street, Edinburgh 

Working Arrangement –  This post requires the successful candidate to be based atleast 3 days a week in the Law Officers Private Office in the Crown Office at 25 Chambers Street in Edinburgh although the Scottish Government hybrid working will apply when necessary. 

Grade -  B2

Advert type -  Level Transfer

Duration - Permanent

Eligibility - Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer 

Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered

Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK

An exciting vacancy has arisen in the Private Office.   We’re looking for someone motivated, organised and confident to join the Law Officers’ Private Office as Deputy Private Secretary to the Law Officers (Lord Advocate and Solicitor General).

Private Office sits right at the heart of government, acting as the link between Ministers and officials. You’ll help make sure the Law Officers have the right advice and briefing at the right time, across both Scottish Government and Crown Office business.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a high-profile, fast-paced environment where no two days are the same. You’ll get a real insight into how decisions are made at the highest level, from Cabinet and Parliament through to COPFS business.

It’s a busy and sometimes demanding role, but it’s also hugely interesting, rewarding and a great chance to build your experience, networks and confidence.

You’ll play a key role in keeping the Private Office running smoothly.  

Responsibilities

• Being a reliable and approachable point of contact for the Law Officers, colleagues and stakeholders
• Managing two busy ministerial inboxes (SG and COPFS) and making sure requests for advice and briefing are handled quickly and effectively
• Supporting the Law Officers to deliver their priorities, including leading on complex and high-profile work
• Keeping on top of a wide and varied workload, including:
  • Ministerial submissions
  • Criminal and death casework
  • Correspondence
  • Internal and external engagements
• Helping plan and support visits and engagements (UK and overseas), making sure briefings are in place and follow-up actions are taken
• Making sure the Law Officers’ time is used as effectively as possible, with space to properly prepare for meetings, court work and engagements
• Building strong working relationships across the Scottish Government, UK Government, COPFS and the wider justice sector
• Handling FOI requests for the office 
• Supporting and developing a B1 colleague, helping the team deliver and stay resilient 
• Dealing with sensitive (and sometimes difficult) information with care and professionalism

Person Specification

Experience 

• Experience of building good working relationships with colleagues, being flexible in approach and having confidence to challenge and influence.
• Strong planning and organisational skills whilst managing competing priorities.

Behaviours

• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Communications and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide

Location 

This post requires the successful candidate to be based in person at least 3 days a week in the Law Officers Private Office in the Crown Office at 25 Chambers Street in Edinburgh although the Scottish Government hybrid working will apply when necessary.

Requirement to work outside of normal business hours and be available to work evening, weekend and often public holidays as necessary. Our private office participates in on-call evening and weekend cover of Law Officers mailboxes. This is on a rota basis and attracts an on-call allowance and overtime in accordance with Scottish Government policy.

How to apply

Apply online by providing your CV and expression of interest, which should be no longer than 750 words and should explain why this would be a great opportunity for you at this stage in your career and what you would bring to the role.  

The note should confirm that you have discussed the opportunity with your line manager and that they would be content to release you quickly if the application is successful.

Vacancies close at 11:59pm on the date displayed in the table, unless otherwise stated on the job advert.

Interviews

Interviews to be confirmed.

For information on this post please contact Andrew Corr at [email protected] or Rachael Mclean at [email protected]