About Scottish Government
What is the Scottish Government?
"The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland." Its careers site sets out the remit plainly: "Our work impacts on the everyday lives of the people of Scotland and we have responsibility for key policy areas including health, education, the economy, social security, culture, rural affairs and transport." The organisation is led by a Permanent Secretary, with eight Director Generals and "Over 30 Directorates" that propose legislation and turn policy into delivery. Staff are part of the UK Civil Service and work to the Civil Service Code.
Where will I work?
Roles are based across Scotland — live vacancies currently advertise Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Livingston, Bathgate and Galashiels. Most office-based posts are hybrid, and adverts state the expectation directly: "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." Some adverts express the same rule as two days a week in the office. Laboratory and site-based posts are advertised as fully on-site, and say so up front.
What is the Scottish Government team like?
"We employ over 8,000 people, at locations across Scotland in a diverse mix of roles and professions." Every job is aligned to one of 21 established Professions — among them Policy, Economics, Statistics, Social Research, Digital, Data and Technology, Legal, Finance, Procurement, Project Delivery, Science and Engineering, and Veterinary — each giving access to "a professional network, peer support, and structured learning and development". The Scottish Government is "a Disability Confident Leader, Stonewall Diversity Champion, and holder of an Investors in People accreditation", and runs open staff networks including the Race Equality Network, the Disabled Staff network, the LGBTI+ Network, the Gender Equality Network and the Age Network.
Work-Life Balance
The standard week is 35 hours. The careers site records that "We are reducing the working week to 35 hours from 1 October 2024," and every live advert repeats "Our standard hours are 35 hours per week." Rather than one fixed pattern, the Scottish Government publishes a menu of options — "Working patterns including full-time, part-time and job-share" and "Flexi-time, term-time and compressed hours" — with Flexi-leave named in adverts as part of the flexible-working offer. Leave is stated precisely: "25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 2 years' service" plus "An additional 11.5 days public and privilege holidays". There is also "A 'Right to Disconnect Policy' to enable staff to disengage from work outside normal working hours", alongside career breaks and phased and partial retirement.
Perks and Benefits
- "Generous career-average pension scheme with employer contributions from 28%"
- 25 days annual leave rising to 30 after two years, plus 11.5 public and privilege holidays
- "Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption leave"
- Coaching, mentoring, graduate apprenticeships and sponsorship for further education across 21 professions
- A 24/7 Employee Assistance Scheme, counselling services and trained mental health first-aiders
- Access to occupational health services and a dedicated in-house wellbeing team
- Retailer discount scheme, discounted gym membership, cycle to work and season ticket travel loans
- Career breaks, plus phased and partial retirement