Scottish Government logo

Policy and Sector Improvement Officer - Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)

Scottish Government
1 day ago
Full-time
On-site
Dundee, United Kingdom
Nonprofit
Description
Job description

Would you like to help make a difference to charities in Scotland?

At the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), our mission is to regulate in a way that builds trust and confidence in Scottish charities, holds them to account, and strengthens their ability to positively contribute to society.

Join our Policy and Sector Improvement team and play a key role within OSCR. As part of this team, you’ll work externally to build and maintain trust and strong relationships with stakeholders, charities and policymakers, helping to shape the future of Scotland’s charity sector. Internally, you’ll be a vital source of insight, ensuring colleagues are well-informed about policy and legislative developments. In your work, you will utilise data and draw on your engagement skills to identify areas where you can support sector improvement.  Your work will help OSCR proactively respond to emerging trends in the sector, supporting continuous improvement and strengthening public confidence in Scottish charities.

You will be formally managed by the Policy Manager; however, you will support the whole of the Policy and Sector Improvement team, focusing on sector improvement and policy development, and collaborate across the wider organisation, particularly with Digital and Communications colleagues. You will be an excellent team player, willing to work in a flexible and agile manner
 

Responsibilities
  • Support the Policy Manager in ensuring that OSCR identifies and leverages opportunities to influence and contribute to the development of public policy relating to charity sector regulation.
  • Support the Sector Improvement Manager to develop, deliver and co-ordinate a range of engagement opportunities with charities, intermediaries and other stakeholders.  
  • Build and maintain effective networks with policy colleagues in the Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament and the charity sector. 
  • Contribute to the development and updating of guidance to reflect legislative changes and emerging sector issues.  
  • Work with internal colleagues and external stakeholders to identify policy issues and trends; and help develop solutions that support continuous improvement in charities. 
  • Participate in cross-organisational projects, contributing policy advice and input into these multi-disciplinary teams. 
  • Support the Policy Manager in the delivery of the Revitalising Trusts project, including working with charities, OSCR colleagues and Foundation Scotland to monitor progress, and undertake analytical work.  
     


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.
 
Technical / Professional Skills:
  1. Policy context and purpose – developing level 
  2. Participation and engagement – developing level 
     
You can find out more about the skills required, here
 
Behaviours:
  1. Seeing the Big Picture – Level 3 
  2. Making Effective Decisions – Level 3 
  3. Working Together – Level 3
  4. Changing and Improving – Level 3 
     
Find out more about Success Profiles.
 
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.
 
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples 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, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
 
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
 
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. 
 
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 11th May 2026 however this may be subject to change. 

Recruitment Principles 
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.


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, observing the Civil Service Code and 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.
 
Working pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
 
Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
 
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, and read about the Government Vetting Charter, or about all the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide. 
Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application.
 
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. 
 
Apply before 23:59 on 13th April. This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only. External candidates and staff from UK Other Government Departments are not eligible to apply for this vacancy.