Job detail for Partnership and Policy Manager

This role is situated in the Professional Learning and Workforce Unit of the The National Social Work Agency (NSWA).  Reporting to the Unit Head, the Partnership and Policy Manager you will work across the agency to support the policy aspects of our Senior Professional Advisers (Adults and Mental Health), and work closely with the existing Strategic Policy Manager to ensure the business of government is fulfilled to the highest standard.

You will also lead the NSWA’s role in the operational aspects of the Scottish Social Work Partnership, including the development and implementation of a joint strategy, ensuring Scottish Ministers’ interests are embedded, and with partners, co-ordinate secretariat for groups and meetings on behalf of the NSWA.

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• Support the Chief Social Work Adviser, Professional Social Work Advisers and Unit Heads to have strategic oversight of national policies and their impact on social work – working across the NSWA and SG to co-ordinate and input to cross government commissions and he provision of advice to Ministers and wider policy teams.
• Contribute to leadership of the NSWA, working with the Chief Social Work Adviser, Deputy Chief Social Work Adviser and Senior Leadership Team to deliver the strategic priorities of the NSWA.
• Support Senior Professional Social Work Advisers in their engagement and collaboration with other relevant areas across government to explore, support and progress joint policy outcomes.
• Contribute to a strategic overview of adults and mental health social work policy and practice working closely with the Strategic policy manager to ensure clarity across practice areas.
• Provide leadership, direction and support for colleagues across the agency and work across teams to co-ordinate and input to cross government commissions, committee briefings, appearances etc.
• Lead sensitive engagement with COSLA and Social Work Scotland on the Scottish Social Work Partnership (SSWP), working closely with these partners to ensure strong partnership working and clear governance arrangements are in place and are managed to ensure maximum delivery of joint objectives.
• In partnership with COSLA and SWS, lead the development of a joint Strategy for Social Work, setting out short, medium and long term priorities ensuring an agreed and high quality Strategy is in place by Spring 2026.
• Lead NSWAs input to the SSWP, chairing Operations Groups when required, ensuring governance processes are established and maintained high quality secretariat support is provided, and the Memorandum of Understanding is followed and reviewed as required.
• Support the management of the Partnership Leadership Group (including its secretariat function), ensuring it operates effectively and has oversight of the Partnership activity, escalating issues when required.
• On behalf of the Partnership be responsible for the operation of the SSWP Advisory Group providing high quality secretariat and ensuring its works well as a sounding board to support the Partnership.
• Work collaboratively with external stakeholders to ensure that a partnership approach is adopted in developing the Strategy and its Delivery Plans, ensuring that links are made to wider stakeholders and across government to support delivery – including necessary political engagement with Ministers as required.

Success Profiles

Success Profiles have been developed by the Professions and can be found in the Job Profile for the individual role.

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on.

Experience

1. Experience of policy impacting Adult Social Work (practice/services)
2. Experience of developing and implementing cross-sector national strategy, including working with local government

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions (Level 4)
• Communicating and Influencing (Level 4)
• Working With Others (Level 4)
• Delivering at Pace (Level 4)

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here.

How To Apply

Apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) providing evidence of how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above. Both the CV and the supporting statement provided will be assessed against the criteria for the role.

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.

Expected Timeline (subject to change)

Sift - 20th October 2026

Interview – 28th October 2026

Location - Online via MS Teams

Skilled Worker 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.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.

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).

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.

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Apply before 23:55 pm on Thursday 15th October 2026