Strategic Communications and Engagement - Team Leader

Overview: Scotland’s Digital Strategy, "A Changing Nation: How Scotland will Thrive in a Digital World" commits to introducing a digital identity service – to provide people with a safe and secure way to prove their identity when applying to public services, whilst reducing time and cost for the public sector. This is a priority common platform for high quality public services in Scotland.
The first live trial of the new digital identity service – called ScotAccount – was launched at the end of February 2023, in partnership with Disclosure Scotland. Users can create a secure account and verify their identity, in order to access the results of their Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check online. ScotAccount is standards based, accessible and designed around the needs of users. Our next steps for ScotAccount are the addition of “MySafe” - where users will initially be able to choose to store the results of their identity check, in order to reuse their digital identity. We will also begin the roll out to other public services.
Your role as the Strategic Communications and Engagement Team Leader is to is to lead communications and engagement strategy for the ScotAccount service, in parallel with the delivery work. For the new service to be a success, people need to have trust and confidence that it is safe and secure, and that personal information will be kept private. You will lead programmes of engagement to ensure that we navigate the sensitivities within this work, and help ensure that people understand and are willing to use the new service. You will ensure that this work is also conducted in the spirit and practice of open government – a growing public movement aimed at promoting transparency and making the work of Governments more accessible to citizens.
You will also work alongside the relationship management and business development team to support activity that helps drive forward engagement with the wider public sector, supporting the longer term sustainable roll out throughout Scotland.
This post is a 23 month fixed term appointment, with a possibility of renewal for a further 23 month term. Responsibilities:

• Lead the communications and engagement function, through delivery of the strategy and action plan: developing key messages, core narrative and briefing materials; leading on the publications, web and social media strategy; and developing our approach to key performance indicators and evaluation.
• Lead the development and delivery of the branding approach, to communicate the ScotAccount service to partners, stakeholders and users, working alongside Marketing colleagues and managing the input of external suppliers.
• Develop and oversee delivery of proposals for wider public engagement, to understand opinion and acceptability of the approach being taken by the developing service, and inform wider policy direction and strategy.
• Work with professional media communications colleagues to explore opportunities to influence the technical and digital news agenda around this work, and enhance the external reputation of the programme.
• Lead stakeholder engagement, ensuring that the programme is developed in conjunction with stakeholders, privacy and human rights advocacy groups and members of the public, including: and developing plans to target key audience groups and influencers.
• Lead on ensuring that the programme is conducted in the spirit and practice of open government, helping to build trust in the new service, whilst ensuring openness and transparency of decision making.
• Lead the communication and engagement team (2 staff) ensuring priorities are delivered to standard and timescales. Make the case for on-going investment in adequate resourcing, with management of allocated budgets as needed.

Competencies People Management Leading others Communications and Engagement Improving Performance Essential Criteria & Qualifications: Essential Criteria 1. Professional experience in a strategic communications, marketing or stakeholder engagement role at a leadership level, and experience of applying these skills within a politically sensitive policy environment. 2. Excellent oral and written communication skills, with experience of communicating complex issues in an engaging way, using appropriate channels. 3. Experience of leadership at all levels, with the ability to work collaboratively across multi-disciplinary teams, and deliver key outcomes with the input of people outside your direct line management responsibility. 4. Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and changing priorities.
Additional Information This post is being advertised on a full time basis, however part-time applicants will be considered.
Additional Information To apply please fully complete the application and submit evidence based examples to demonstrate your knowledge/skills (300 words). Remember, your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion.
Person Specification Skills For Success

For further information on this vacancy please contact susie.braham@gov.scot

The Scottish Government is a diverse and inclusive workplace and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please let us know via ScottishGovernmentrecruitment@gov.scot

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