Job detail for Climate Justice Policy Advisor

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 - Climate Justice Policy Advisor

Business Area/Directorate - Culture and External Affairs

Location / Working Arrangement – The post may be based either in Glasgow (Atlantic Quay) or Edinburgh (Victoria Quay). It is a hybrid compatible role and will work in either an office or other agreed work location 40% of the time.

Grade -  B2

Advert type -  Level Transfer

Duration - Permanent

Eligibility - Expressions of interest are invited from B2 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.

Overview

This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience delivering programmes under the Climate Justice Fund as well as some exposure to climate justice policy. The Climate Justice Fund supports climate vulnerable communities in the Global South to build resilience to climate change, as well as programmes to build capacity and advocacy efforts for people in international climate fora.

This post is located in the International Climate Change Division within the Directorate for Culture and External Affairs. The International Climate Change team are responsible for delivering the Scottish Government’s commitments on Climate Justice and Loss and Damage, where Scotland has a reputation as a global leader. This an exciting time to join the team, as you will have the opportunity to help shape the next phase of Scotland’s international climate programming.

The Climate Justice team currently consists of one C1, two B3s (one of which will be your line manager) and two B2s. We have a friendly and inclusive team culture, and you will be supported in your learning and development.

**Key **

• Support the delivery of current and future climate justice grants in line with policy objectives, including management of a £2.5 million climate justice grant in Malawi (with support from your line manager). The role will include elements of project and risk management; reviewing and monitoring of financial information and reporting in line with budgets; resolving ad hoc grant issues and taking the decision to escalate when necessary.
• Lead on management of internal risk register
• Lead on external financial reporting requirements including International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) and Official Development Assistance (ODA) reporting
• Support on processing of invoices, including checking accuracy of grantees invoice statements, liaising with grantees on payment queries, maintaining high-quality financial records in line with governance requirements and processing of payments via the Oracle Finance system
• Alongside the team, contribute to future planning and scoping of Climate Justice Fund programmes
• Provide ad hoc policy support to the wider ICC team, including support preparing ministerial briefings, stakeholder engagement, and supporting Scottish Government attendance at international events.
• Responding to MiCases, PQs, FOIs and other policy correspondence.

Success Profiles

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

Experience/Essential Criteria

Although not essential, any prior experience or involvement in delivery of programmes or projects, financial management and budget monitoring would be an asset.

Behaviours

Making Effective Decisions  – Level 3

Working Together – Level 3

Seeing the Big Picture – Level 3

Delivering at Pace – Level 3

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here.

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.

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.

Further Information

Further information about this opportunity is available from Lillie Ashworth lillie.ashworth@gov.scot

How to Apply

Please submit an Expression of Interest (maximum 750 words), describing how your skills, qualities and experience make you suitable for the role. You should make particular reference to, and structure your supporting statement around, the Success Profile noted in the job advert.

Vacancies close at 23:59pm on Wednesday 7 September.

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 ourcandidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an informal interview scheduled for w/c 19 October, 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.

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 Codeand 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 ourCareers Website.

Read ourCandidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

Apply before: 07/10/2026 (23:59). This role is only open to substantive grade staff from core SG.