Policy Officer - Winter Heating Benefits

This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity, available on a lateral move basis only. Applications are open to Core Scottish Government employees only.  

Job Title – Winter Heating Benefits Policy Officer

Business Area/Directorate – Social Security Directorate

Location – This post can be based in Edinburgh or Glasgow and in line with our current ways of working, our team follows a hybrid working approach, where colleagues use a mix of office based and remote working (working from home) depending on the requirements of the role and personal circumstances. The team currently works out of both Victoria Quay and Atlantic Quay 5.

Grade - B2

Advert type -  Level Transfer

Duration - Permanent- for use with level transfers only

Eligibility - Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer 

Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered

Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.

Overview 

Child Winter Heating Payment supports families with disabled children and young people who have the highest care needs. Winter Heating Payment supports low income households who are also of pension age, a disabled adult or a family who have responsibility for either a child under the age of five or a disabled child. Our Pension Age Winter Heating Payment supports pension age households, with a tax ‘clawback’ in place for individuals who have an income of over £35,000.

This Policy Officer role sits within the Social Security Strategy, Welfare Fund and Winter Benefits Policy Unit. The Winter Heating Benefits policy team is responsible for the three Winter Heating benefits. The team is made up of 1x C1 (Winter Heating Benefits and the Welfare Fund Team Leader), 1 x B3 (Winter Heating Benefits Policy Manager), 1 x B2 (Policy Officer), 1 x B1 (Policy Officer).

This role offers experience in a high‑profile policy area, focusing on reviewing and delivering amendment legislation and the development and delivery of an evaluation across the suite of Winter Heating Benefits. These are key pieces of work which will support the ongoing improvement to our Winter Heating Benefits. The successful candidate will also support the Policy Manager, particularly in responding reactively to any issues raised regarding the live-running benefits, and will provide Ministerial support, working closely with internal and external stakeholders.

The responsibilities below are those we intend the role to cover initially but the post holder will need to work flexibly, working on other Winter Heating priorities as required.

Key responsibilities:

• Delivering high‑quality policy analysis and Ministerial advice across all Winter Heating Benefits.
• Supporting Ministers with briefing, parliamentary business, and correspondence.
• Providing ongoing policy support to Social Security Scotland, including resolving case queries and contributing to continuous improvement of benefit delivery.
• Reviewing legislation across all three benefits to ensure it reflects intended policy aims.
• Contributing to the development and delivery of the Winter Heating Benefits evaluation scheduled for winter 2026/27.
• Managing a B1 Policy Officer.

Person Specification

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and competing demands to ensure deadlines are met.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work positively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to produce high quality, evidence-based briefing for Ministers.
• Ability to work with a range of information, contributing to recommendations based on the analysis of evidence.
• Ability to deliver at pace, prioritising and working flexibly where necessary.

Behaviours Being Tested  

• Seeing the big picture

• Making effective decisions

• Communicating and influencing

• Working together

   

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide

Working Pattern 

This post is a full time role, but we welcome applications from staff with different working patterns, proposed working patterns will be assessed against the business requirements for this post.

Further Information 

Further information about this opportunity is available from SSD_WFP@gov.scot

How to Apply 

Please submit an Expression of Interest (maximum 500 words) outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team. 

Vacancies close at 11:59pm on the date displayed in the table, unless otherwise stated on the job advert.

Interviews

Interviews to be confirmed

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by panel. Shortlisted candidates who are considered to have the skills and experience will be invited to interview with the hiring manager and another panel member. The panel will recommend the candidate considered most suitable for the post.