Policy Manager - Supporting Access to Social Security & Reserved Benefits -B3

The Social Security Directorate has been responsible for the largest and most complex transfer of powers since devolution. We are now entering a phase focussed on improvement in delivery of services and ensuring that social security contributes as effectively as possible to improving outcomes for the people of Scotland. The Supporting Access to Social Security team is a positive, supportive team with a strong focus on the development and wellbeing of staff. It works closely with colleagues in Social Security Scotland and wider Scottish Government, as well as wider stakeholders to ensure joined up and evidence-based policy development and delivery in line with the social security principles of dignity, fairness and respect. This is an excellent opportunity to experience the development and delivery of policies in practice which have a real impact on people’s lives.

This role manages the delivery of the policy agenda and commitments under the Benefit Take-Up Strategy (2026-2031) on data sharing, automation, referrals and signposting. These are aimed at ensuring that people can access all their social security entitlements in as straightforward a way as possible by tackling barriers at each stage of the client journey. Commitments in the Benefit Take-Up Strategy focus on strengthening information (data sharing) between Social Security Scotland and other public services, improving its signposting to additional relevant services and assistance, and exploring opportunities for piloting referrals pathways between Social Security Scotland and other public services, phasing this work over the next five years. These commitments, alongside existing actions in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan ‘Bringing Hope, Building Futures’ to explore referral pathways for the purpose of tackling child poverty, are central to the longer-term vision of social security as a lever for tackling poverty and reducing inequalities. 

This role is responsible for managing the delivery of this exciting and challenging agenda as part of the broader team. The post holder will do this by managing the delivery of policy closely informed by operational, technical and digital delivery insight. The post holder will therefore have experience of successful working with internal partners from a variety of professions and external partners across local government and the Third Sector. The successful candidate should therefore be able to demonstrate positive and proactive relationship management skills and have an interest in and experience of delivering policy through effective cross government and cross partner working. The role would suit a proactive individual and will provide development opportunities for the right candidate.

Responsibilities 

• Manage the delivery of commitments on data sharing, signposting and referrals set out in the new Benefit Take-Up Strategy, working across social security and other relevant areas to do so. 
• Lead the further development of data sharing, signposting and referrals policy for social security and beyond, working closely with Social Security Scotland and liaising with other relevant areas of SG as necessary. 
• Producing timely and high-quality advice to Ministers; including briefings, policy papers and external publications to set out the Scottish Government’s position on the relevant policy areas. 
• Manage and continue to build effective relationships with key internal and partners across the Scottish Government, Social Security Scotland, Local Government and the Third Sector, as well as key external stakeholders. 
• Work closely with analytical and finance colleague as subject matter experts on key pieces of work and as part of the policy development process. 
• Line manage a B2 member of the team to effectively input into and support delivery of the data sharing, automation, referrals and signposting policy agenda under the Benefit Take-Up Strategy (2026-2031).

Working pattern

 This role is a permanent level transfer position. 

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive B3 employees.

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

Selection Process

All candidates will be invited to an informal discussion with the Hiring Manager. 

Informal discussion dates tbc. 

Further Information 

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact [email protected] 

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