Senior Policy Officer, Grade E3

Scottish Funding Council

. Act as SFC’s key contact for a portfolio of colleges and universities .

Posted 11/3/2026full-timeEdinburgh • United KingdomSenior💰 £49,938 - £58,134 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates strong interpersonal and communication skills, with proven experience in policy development and implementation. Capable of strategic thinking and project management in a complex, politicized environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Interpersonal SkillsProject ManagementPolicy DevelopmentStrategic ThinkingCommunication Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Policy ImplementationData AnalysisGovernance Issues ManagementRisk AssessmentBriefing Preparation

Soft Skills

NegotiationOrganizational SkillsJudgmentStaff DevelopmentCollaboration

Tools & Technologies

IT Skills

Industry Keywords

Outcomes FrameworkAssurance ModelScottish GovernmentInstitutional GovernanceSFC Policy

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Act as SFC’s key contact for a portfolio of colleges and universities
Lead engagement with institutions on delivery of designated Outcomes Framework priorities through the Assurance Model process
Maintain current knowledge of institutions and monitor their contributions to SFC’s Outcomes Framework
Prepare briefings and respond to external queries from Scottish Government officials and Ministers
Collaborate across SFC teams to monitor and evaluate data and evidence for institutional risk assessment
Identify and facilitate priority changes and developments and help ensure their delivery
Bring together SFC teams for institutional case conferences
Support development and implementation of SFC’s good governance outcome within the Outcomes Framework and Assurance Model
Respond to specific institutional governance issues
Support the Regional Lead of the Highlands and Islands region on wider reform matters
Contribute to development, implementation, evaluation and enhancement of SFC policy and practice, including OFAM
Write and present policy and strategy papers at committee and board level
Contribute to external communications and internal and external guidance
Represent SFC at meetings, conferences and events, including presenting, chairing and facilitating discussions

Requirements

What you’ll need

Strong interpersonal skills, including experience of representation and negotiation
Proven ability to analyse, understand and respond to complex issues with good judgement
Strong organisational and project management abilities in a politicised environment
Ability to interpret, analyse and explain complex information to audiences with varying expertise
Ability to think and act strategically
High-level oral and written communication skills
Ability to manage and develop staff
Good IT skills
Strong policy development or implementation experience
Degree level education (SCQF level 9) or equivalent experience
Evidence of proven experience for each essential criterion through CV or cover letter

Benefits

Comp & perks

Normal full-time hours of work are 35 per week; flexible working arrangements and a flexi-time system
Annual leave entitlement of 30 days pro-rata, plus public and privilege holiday entitlement of 13 days pro-rata
Hybrid working, including flexibility to work from home anywhere in the UK for some of the time while maintaining regular in-person contact with colleagues
Annual pay review under the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy and negotiated with Unite
Eligibility to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with employer contributions of 28.97%; Partnership pension account option
Support for continuous professional development and continuous learning through the Civil Service Learning curriculum
Generous occupational sick pay
Free confidential advice and support through a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
Special Leave, paid and unpaid
Lifelong Learning Fund contribution
Free winter flu vaccination
Occupational health support
Volunteering Days
Salary sacrifice cycle loan scheme
Cycle storage and shower facilities
Interest-free loan for bus or rail season tickets
Free office car parking on a first-come basis
Part-time or compressed hours considered
Flexible working scheme accommodating other commitments, including caring responsibilities
Secondment applications considered for most salaried fixed-term or temporary positions and, in many cases, salaried permanent positions