DescriptionJob Description
Are you looking for a unique opportunity to lead the team representing Scottish devolved interests in Ireland, promoting and developing Scotland’s interests in and connections with Ireland?
As Head of the Scottish Government’s Ireland office you will have significant contact with Irish decision makers across government, business and civil society, as well as senior British Embassy staff. You will also work closely with stakeholders in Scotland including Team Scotland partners (SDI, Visit Scotland, Creative Scotland etc), universities, civil society and business groups to develop bilateral collaboration. You will lead in promoting and developing Scotland’s relationship with Ireland, with a particular focus on fostering educational, research and development collaborations in support of sustainable economic growth, and on the climate agenda.
At a time of significant financial pressure for the Scottish Government, you will work with creativity and agility to determine how best to use the Ireland Office’s budget and resource to deliver maximum economic value for Scotland. You will also have line management responsibility for a small team. Your work will be varied, fast moving and dynamic, with a high level of Ministerial interest and frequent contact with senior leadership across business and academia to be expected.
Responsibilities
International engagement in the Irish Government and with business, academia and civil society to enhance Scotland’s influence and deliver economic value.
Representing the Scottish Government with the British Embassy, politicians, the media, senior business leaders, opinion-formers and academics in Ireland.
Leading the work of implementing the recommendations of the Scotland-Ireland Bilateral Review, and refreshing it in 2025, representing SG at steering group meetings, driving progress on work streams and reporting to Ministers.
Collaboration with Irish partners to progress policy outcomes on issues of shared concern, with a particular focus on structured collaboration within the fields of higher education, research and development, and climate.
Intergovernmental relations including working closely with SDI colleagues, contributing to sustainable economic growth through promotion of Scotland’s reputation in Ireland.
Communications activity ensuring regular reporting, analysis and advice on important developments in Ireland and their bearing upon the political and policy context in Scotland.
People management and development of two members of staff, and providing corporate leadership on Ireland Office financial management and forecasting.
While the post will be based in Dublin, your responsibilities will be Ireland-wide, so you should be willing to travel throughout the country to build and maintain key relationships and to support inward visits.
Responsibilities
Success Profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.
Experience:
Knowledgeable about Scotland’s investment landscape and economic strategies, with experience in business and commercial partnerships being an advantage.
Behaviours:
Communicating and Influencing – Level 4
Working Together – Level 4
Leadership – Level 4
Seeing the Bigger Picture – Level 4
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scotHow to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 24/03/25 however this may be subject to change.
Qualifications
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, 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
This post is subject to National Security Vetting to SC level and the successful candidate will need to have the required clearance before taking up post.
Nationality
As positions in our overseas offices are diplomatic postings, they are only open to UK nationals. Dual nationality is not an automatic bar except when your second nationality is that of the receiving State (i.e. the country where the office is).
Working pattern
This is a full-time representational role and alternative working arrangements will be considered according to business need.
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week, we offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Provisional Start Date and Length of Service
The successful candidate will be expected to take up post in late summer / autumn 2025. This is a three year posting with a maximum of 4 years if a one year extension is agreed by the line manager. You will be expected to remain in post for the duration of this assignment unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.
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.
For further information regarding allowances and details of this posting, please contact katie.stewart@gov.scot
For information on this post please contact Donna.MacKinnon@gov.scot