Summary
Consumer Scotland was established by the Consumer Scotland Act 2020 and formally took on its statutory functions and powers on 1 April 2022. As a Non-Ministerial Organisation Consumer Scotland is independent and accountable to the Scottish Parliament. The staff of Consumer Scotland are civil servants.
Consumer Scotland uses data, research and analysis to inform our work on the key issues facing consumers in Scotland. As the statutory body for consumers we work with business, the public sector and consumer champions to put consumer rights, needs and interests at the heart of markets, services and policy. We are committed to working in a way which is fair, transparent, collaborative and evidence-driven.
Consumer Scotland will provide consumer advocacy and advice with a view to –
1. reducing harm to consumers in Scotland
2. increasing confidence among consumers in Scotland in dealing with businesses that supply goods and services to consumers
3. increasing the extent to which consumer matters are taken into account by public authorities in Scotland
4. promoting –
5. sustainable consumption of natural resources, and
6. other environmentally sustainable practices, in relation to the acquisition, use and disposal of goods by consumers in Scotland
7. otherwise advancing inclusion, fairness, prosperity and other aspects of wellbeing in Scotland.
The Policy and Advocacy Officer is a key part of the general consumer advocacy team (covering issues outwith energy, water and post). They will contribute to the development and delivery of the team’s work plan and the organisation’s strategy for working with public and third sector partners, business, the Scottish Parliament and other key stakeholders. The Policy and Advocacy Officer will report to the Head of Policy and Markets.
Job description
The post holder will be responsible for supporting policy and advocacy work into sectors or practices of interest to Consumer Scotland. The post holder is likely to work across a broad range of issues and themes when considering issues affecting consumers in Scotland, including for example, the cost of living crisis, climate change
and the transition to Net Zero and digitalisation. They will be required to collaborate effectively with other teams within Consumer Scotland and stakeholder organisations. There will be a need for flexibility and creativity, particularly as the organisation starts its work and develops its role and functions, and its organisational capacity.
The post-holder will support the organisation’s work by:
• Supporting the Head of Policy and Markets in developing and delivering Consumer Scotland’s policy and advocacy work programme
• Helping to build and maintain an in-depth knowledge of consumer issues across the Policy and Markets Team
• Contributing to the delivery of high quality, evidence-led policy and advocacy work, developing robust, accessible recommendations that can be readily implemented by the relevant organisations. This may include producing reports, consultation responses, briefings and other outputs.
• Being an ambassador for Consumer Scotland, managing and nurturing good relationships with stakeholders to ensure effective engagement and information gathering Working collaboratively with other teams within the organisation and maintaining high standards of integrity and professionalism
Essential Criteria:
• A demonstrable track record of contributing to policy and advocacy work of at least one year’s duration.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with experience of establishing, developing and maintaining positive relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, including the ability to balance competing demands, and use initiative and judgement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, enabling the production and presentation of strategic documents and the analysis of diverse information, cutting through complexity to bring clear, relevant and intelligible findings and recommendations to a range of audiences and stakeholders.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
Benefits
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• Agreed salary ranges for each grade
• A Civil Service pension
• 25-30 days holidays
• 11.5 days public & privilege holidays
Things you need to know
1. Security
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.
2. Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Application Process
This competition is being run in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.
Please complete the application form which includes a Statement of Suitability of up to 1000 words, detailing the relevant skills and experience you can bring to the role based on the Essential Criteria. You will also be asked to complete a CV.
The selection panel will use your application to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria during sifting.
If you are shortlisted, your interview will be based on your experience and the Civil Service behaviours listed in the advert.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed
Further Information
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
If successful and transferring from another government department a criminal record check may be carried out.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via consumerscot.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Further information on nationality requirements
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.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.