The posting
Job Description
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 - Policy Manager
Business Area/Directorate - Mental Health and Incapacity Law Unit
Location - St Andrews House
Working Arrangement – Staff in roles compatible with hybrid working should spend 40% of their contracted working time working in person at their contractual workplace. More information can be found within Hybrid Working Policy
Grade - B3
Advert type - Level Transfer
Duration - The post is for maternity cover for just under one year (from early November 2026 to October 2027).
Eligibility - Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer from core SG only.
Sponsorship: 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.
Job description
This post offers the unique opportunity to drive policy that will deliver real benefit for some of the most vulnerable people in society. The work of the Mental Health and Incapacity Law Unit is focussed on improving people’s lives through its focus on the rights and protections of people with mental ill health and those adults that lack capacity. The Unit has a range of policy functions which centre around human rights, ethics, social welfare and ensuring equality.
The work of the unit has been shaped by the Scottish Mental Health Law Review (SMHLR) which reported in 2022. The strong recommendation of this review was that a new overall approach to mental health and capacity law was required. The law should have a new purpose, namely, to ensure that the human rights of people with mental or intellectual disability are respected, protected and fulfilled. It was recognised in the final report, however, that such a radical change would take several years to achieve. The Scottish Government published its initial response to the review in June 2023 (Scottish mental health law review: our response - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)).
This post provides a leading role in driving forward our ambition to embed human rights across our policies through reform of the Adults with Incapacity Act. This work focuses on developing policy intent to inform legislative change to be introduced in the next parliamentary term.
It is important that work is taken forward collaboratively across SG and with wider stakeholders. The successful candidate must therefore be experienced in this approach. An Expert Working Group and a Ministerial Oversight Group was established in September 2025 to bring both pace and priority to this work and the postholder will be expected to work constructively with both to build consensus on reform proposals.
The work of the AWI team is framed around a number of workstreams including:
- Powers of Attorney
- Deprivation of Liberty
- Guardianships
- Medical Treatment, Forced Detention and Covert Medicine
- Managing Residents' Finances
- Access to Funds
The postholder will be expected to work with a degree of autonomy in driving forward workstreams.
The work of the unit is dynamic and fast-paced. The post-holder will be expected to be flexible in responding to changing and emerging priorities.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
- Work collaboratively and constructively with the AWI Expert Working Group and Ministerial Oversight Group to develop and drive consensus on reform proposals.
- Lead on project management including risk assessment.
- Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key partners.
- Work with SGLD to assess policy proposals against human rights requirements to support readiness for future legislation.
- Undertake ongoing impact assessments in relation to emerging policy proposals.
- Line management responsibility for 1xB2.
Success Profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on, you should provide evidence of how you meet these in your statement.
Behaviours:
- Making Effective Decisions – Level 3
- Working Together - Level 3
- Delivering at Pace - Level 3
You can find out more about Success Profiles on gov.scot.
Working pattern
This role is a temporary position with an expected commitment of 11 months.
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.
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.
Qualifications
Further Information
Further information about this opportunity is available from [email protected].
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. Please align this to how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above.
Vacancies close at 23:59pm on Thursday 19 November.
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 a light-touch interview, scheduled for w/c TBC.
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.
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.
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, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.
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: 19/11/2026 (23:59). This role is open to substantive B3 staff from Core SG only.
