EOI - SCS1 Only - Head of Tackling Child Poverty

Location: United Kingdom; Hybrid

Expressions of interest are invited from substantive Deputy Directors on a level move basis; applications are open to Core Scottish Government employees and those under Common Citizenship only.

As Deputy Director, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that Eradicating Child Poverty remains a central priority across Government across portfolios. You will build strong and credible relationships across Government, working closely with Ministers, senior leaders and a diverse range of stakeholders to shape priorities, influence decisions and drive delivery. 

As Programme Director for the Scottish Governments Child Poverty Programme, you will provide leadership for delivery of the final Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan Bringing Hope, Building Futures, ensuring effective governance, assurance and stakeholder engagement arrangements are in place to support successful delivery and maximise impact. 

A key responsibility of the role will be leading the Divisions contribution to Bringing Hope, Building Futures, which provides the strategic framework for accelerating progress towards the eradication of child poverty in Scotland over the coming years. You will also lead sponsorship arrangements for the Poverty and Inequality Commission. 

You can expect regular engagement with the First Minister, Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers across a wide range of policy portfolios alongside a high degree of senior external stakeholder interest. 

This is a highly visible and influential leadership role at the centre of one of the Scottish Governments most significant cross-cutting policy agendas. It combines policy leadership, programme delivery, strategic stakeholder engagement, sponsorship and financial stewardship. Success in the role will require exceptional collaborative leadership; sound judgement; political awareness; prioritisation and the ability to deliver results through influence across organisational boundaries. 

This is an exceptional opportunity to shape and deliver action to eradicate child poverty, leading exceptional and high-performing teams and working with Ministers across Cabinet, senior leaders and partners across Scotland to improve outcomes for children; families and communities. Tackling Child Poverty and Social Justice Directorate is responsible for driving forward the Government’s top priority to Eradicate Child Poverty and embed Social Justice across Scotland. Tackling Child Poverty Division plays a central role in this work, providing strategic leadership across Government and with external partners to drive delivery, influence policy and secure lasting improvements in outcomes for children and families.