Head of External Affairs

Job summary

Are you an experienced stakeholder engagement leader looking for an opportunity to shape a new function and influence at the highest levels of Scotland's justice system? COPFS is seeking an exceptional Head of External Affairs to lead our strategic engagement with Parliament, justice partners and key external stakeholders.

This high-profile role sits at the heart of COPFS, working closely with Law Officers and senior leaders to build trusted relationships, deliver strategic insight and strengthen understanding of our independent role. You'll lead the development of a new external affairs function, creating a more proactive and coordinated approach to Parliamentary engagement, stakeholder relations, events, outreach and intelligence.

If you're a confident relationship-builder with strong political awareness, strategic vision and a passion for public service, this is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on COPFS's reputation, influence and contribution to Scotland's justice landscape

Job description

As our first Head of External Affairs you will provide strategic leadership for COPFS’s engagement with Parliament, justice partners, public bodies and key external stakeholders. Working at the heart of the organisation, you will help shape how COPFS builds relationships, strengthens understanding of its independent role and responds to a complex and evolving external environment.

You will work directly with senior leaders and our Law Officers, providing advice, insight and support on stakeholder engagement, Parliamentary affairs and external relations. Through horizon scanning, stakeholder intelligence and strategic engagement activity, you will help identify opportunities, manage risks and ensure external affairs activity contributes to organisational priorities and performance.

Person specification

We are looking for applicants who enjoy working in a complex and often high-profile environment, building trusted relationships and helping senior leaders navigate competing priorities.

You will combine strong political awareness with sound judgement and professionalism, enabling you to provide credible advice and influence positive outcomes. Comfortable working with senior stakeholders, you’ll be equally at ease discussing strategic priorities, managing sensitive issues and building productive partnerships.

Most importantly, you’ll be motivated by the opportunity to establish a new function, shape how COPFS engages with external stakeholders and make a meaningful contribution to Scotland’s justice system.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £62,111, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service contributes £17,993 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We offer an excellent range of benefits which include:

• 25 days paid holiday + 11.5 public and privilege holidays (rising to 30 days paid holiday after 4 years).
• Generous Civil Service Pension employer contribution, on average over 28.97% of your pay
• Flexible working hours and family friendly approach to work.
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loans.
• Employee Wellbeing Support with Mental Health First Aiders and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

If you would be interested to learn more about this role, please see the attached application pack for further job details, salary information and assessment guidance.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo an enhanced (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : [email removed]
• Email : [em