Head of Community Empowerment and Governance Reform - C2

This opportunity is only open to internal Scottish Government applicants who are currently 'Priority Movers'. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.   

The Community Empowerment and Governance Reform Unit brings together two critical areas of policy and programme delivery within the Public Service Reform Directorate. Its purpose is to lead the development and implementation of local governance and community empowerment policy, and associated delivery programmes. It leads effective collaboration and cross-government delivery of two significant Public Service Reform commitments: to empower communities and strengthen local democracy and to agree and implement bespoke governance arrangements for island communities.

The postholder will manage a diverse team and ambitious portfolio of work led by four C1 Leads, three B3 Policy Managers with B1 policy and administrative support; working across government, including in partnership with colleagues in Local Government and Health and Social Care Directorates and in close collaboration with wider directorates. 

The role requires regular ministerial and senior official and external/public facing engagement, including building effective relationships with local authority, public sector and third sector partners. Over the next twelve months the focus will be on establishing and leading high profile implementation programmes, providing effective programme management and oversight; support to a matrix teams working across multiple DGs and portfolio areas and leading the development and delivery of effective policy design.  

The postholder will 

• lead the development of the Democracy Matters/community empowerment policy workstream as part the cross-government programme of work to reform local governance arrangements. 
• lead the development and implementation of Single Authority Models, working closely with Local Governance and Health and Social Care reform programmes.
• lead an experienced team responsible for developing and maintaining policy on existing community governance arrangements, including support for community councils, community development, including grant management and support for the community development sector, supporting participatory and deliberative democracy, including the National Participatory Budgeting Support Programme. 

Responsibilities 

• Establishing a cross-government and cross-sector implementation programme for Democracy Matters, putting community empowerment and innovative new approaches to community-led decision-making at centre of design and delivery. 
• Leading engagement with SAMs geographies, including at senior officer level with Local Government and Health and develop a framework for model development which ensures alignment with national reform programmes whilst tailored to bespoke needs of island communities. 
• Undertaking and promoting research and evidence on innovative models for participatory democracy; community governance and community led decision-making. 
• Co-ordinating cross-government policy development including leading ‘virtual team’ comprised of health, social care, Local Government, island policy and wider policy areas. 
• Building strong effective relationships with external partners and stakeholders including local government; community development organisations; equalities groups; public sector partners to develop joint policy and implementation. 
• Managing relationship with COSLA to ensure partnership approach and handle sensitivities
• Identifying and appraising options for sustainable community financing, funding for community development sector, and increasing community capacity. 
• Leading Community Councils policy, support and communications. 
• Working in partnership to redesign the National Participatory Budgeting Programme. 
• Grant management and identifying a sustainable funding approach for community development sector. 

Working pattern

This role is a temporary position with an expected commitment of 12 months.

 How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive C2 employees.

Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words).

Selection Process

All candidates will be invited to an informal discussion with the Hiring Manager. 

Informal discussion dates tbc. 

Further Information

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact [email protected] 

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.