Devolution and Strategic Engagement Lead (Scotland)

Job summary

We are seeking an outstanding Devolution and Strategic Engagement Lead to join the DWP - Jobs and Careers Service Scotland Leadership Team. This is a unique opportunity to influence and shape strategic partnership activity across Scotland, ensuring DWP’s priorities, programmes and services align effectively with the devolved landscape and key national and regional partners.

Applicants should only apply for roles where they can reasonably undertake frequent travel throughout Scotland. While travel will be required to locations across Scotland, regular attendance at key sites in Glasgow, Falkirk and Edinburgh will also be expected.

Please note, this vacancy are not currently eligible for new applications for Visa Sponsorship on the Skilled Worker route, for any candidates who do not currently have permission to be in the UK as a Skilled Worker where they were sponsored before 4 April 2024, even if relying on tradeable points (including the new entrant tradeable points option) as they are not included in the published Immigration Salary List. This information is offered as guidance only, and we recommend that applicants seek specialist advice.

Job description

• Build and develop strategic relationships with external stakeholders such as the Scottish Government, Social Security Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, the Improvement Service, Local Authorities, NHS Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, and key third‑sector organisations.
• Maintain strong relationships with the devolved administration in Scotland, supporting the delivery of devolved employment programmes, resolving issues, managing sensitivities and identifying opportunities to strengthen collaboration.
• Ensure DWP policy objectives are clearly understood and reflected locally.
• Provide insight and expertise on devolution matters, ensuring alignment between DWP’s objectives and those of Scottish and local government partners.
• Act as a key link between DWP policy, programme delivery, and regional stakeholders, feeding intelligence into DWP’s strategic horizon scanning and operational planning.
• Support effective, joined‑up employment, partnership provision and reserved and devolved funding streams at a Scotland level by avoiding duplication, improving efficiency, and maximising outcomes.
• Lead collaboration with Commercial and Finance partners to develop effective provision management and commissioned services. Providing strategic oversight of governance and financial accountability.
• Analyse and interpret Scottish labour market intelligence, workforce planning priorities and future skills needs, using evidence and insight to inform policy development, strategic employer engagement and operational delivery across DWP and partner organisations.
• Maintain a level of expertise on a range of partnership topics. This includes representing DWP externally in stakeholder forums, working groups and supporting DWP’s external facing roles across Scotland to do the same.
• To provide support to Area Directors, Group Directors and Service Leaders to enable appropriate strategic relationships with stakeholders and Parliamentary members across the Group.

Person specification

Key Criteria

• Experience of influencing or engaging senior stakeholders to share policy, strategy or delivery outcomes (Lead Criteria)
• Proven systems leadership and ability to engage senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Understanding of devolution with knowledge of Scottish and UK Government devolution and devolved policy frameworks, with the ability to assess how this impacts DWP services. (Desirable)
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, with ability to tailor messages for different audiences, simplify complex issues and handle sensitive topics effectively.
• Experience of providing high quality briefings to support senior colleagues at meetings with internal and external partners.
• Ability to work with autonomy and authority, leading work across organisational boundaries, setting expectations for others and ensuring coherence and alignment across teams or organisations.
• Ability to confidently use Microsoft 365 applications (including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams), interpret and work with management information, and adapt quickly to new digital systems and processes.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,946, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £16,786 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).

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Stage 1 – Application

Initially you will be asked if you have the right to work in the UK and meet Civil Service nationality requirements and your personal details. (if you are successful after interview you will be asked to provide documentation to prove this. This will include proof of ID, including photo ID or equivalent biometric passport/share code and proof of address