Scrutiny Officer

Job summary

Environmental Standards Scotland’s (ESS) role is to monitor, investigate and secure public authorities’ compliance with environmental law in Scotland. We also scrutinise the effectiveness of environmental law and policy in Scotland and how it is implemented and applied. In our investigative and analytical reports, we may also identify instances where we consider there to be gaps in environmental protection legislation.

ESS is an independent non-ministerial office, accountable to the Scottish Parliament and overseen by a non-executive board. It is part of the Scottish Administration and its employees are civil servants. Full details are available on the ESS website .

Our Strategy 2026-2031 sets out how we will work as an organisation to deliver our vision that ‘by holding public authorities to account, we will ensure that Scotland’s people and nature benefit from a high-quality, healthy environment through improved compliance with and better implementation of effective environmental law’.

ESS’ role is expanding to take on two new roles:

• scrutinising the Scottish Government’s delivery against the new statutory biodiversity and nature restoration targets which will be set under the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026
• scrutinising local authorities’ reporting against climate change duties as set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009

To deliver these duties and to manage this significant organisational change, ESS will be recruiting new posts over the next twelve months to establish a new team within the organisation to lead the development of work to deliver these roles, alongside related corporate services requirements.

Job description

We are recruiting for two Scrutiny Officers into the New Scrutiny Duties Development Department. Together, these two roles will support the work of the department to:

• scrutinise local authorities’ reporting against climate change duties as set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009
• scrutinise the Scottish Government’s delivery against the new statutory biodiversity and nature restoration targets which will be set under the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026

Key duties and responsibilities include:

• contribute to the wider work of the department around areas such as evidence gathering, policy scrutiny, reporting outcomes etc.
• support the implementation of policies, working practices and controls for both sets of new duties
• support both scrutiny teams in managing and planning workload and tasks through good programme management
• ongoing monitoring and evaluation of wider relevant developments in policy, regulatory and legislative practice
• support the development and implementation of an external outreach programme with the ESS communications team, helping to promote understanding of the organisation and its new scrutiny functions with relevant stakeholders.
• working with the ESS data analysis team, support the effective use of data by providing required data management and analysis that helps strengthens our evidence base
• contribute to the production of external reports and briefings to effectively communicate the work of the department
• manage departmental dashboards and PMI’s
• ensure information management procedures are maintained, and good record management is followed throughout the department
• support ESS’ wider organisational work as required

Person specification

• experience of working in a team at pace to deliver high-quality products or service
• excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to establish strong working relations with a range of internal and senior external stakeholders
• excellent organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to work independently to deliver at pace, without sacrificing quality

Essential criteria

• Ability to undertake detailed analysis using a range of evidence and information to produce meaningful insights and to support recommendations for improving regulatory and/or operational performance.
• Strong interpersonal, networking and team-working skills, with proven experience of managing internal and external relationships, creating positive networks and maintaining trust and credibility.
• Experience of quantitative analysis and data management to support decision making.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to work independently to deliver at pace, without sacrificing quality.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, with experience of drafting and editing reports and producing advice for a range of audiences.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a scrutiny-focused organisation (for example: inspection, audit, regulatory, or evaluation).
• An understanding of the climate and/or nature policy environment in Scotland.
• Experience of working in environmental science, law, policy or regulation.
• Experience and skills utilising scientific and data analysis to inform policy development and delivery.

Qualifications Required

A minimum of two years’ experience working in a policy or scrutiny support function.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,767, Environmental Standards Scotland contributes

£11,520 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

ESS is an independent public body focused on ensuring Scotland achieves the highest environmental standards. We seek skilled individuals who have a passion for improving environmental standards through public service, who can work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

In return, we offer a competitive employment package including:

• enrolment in the civil service pension scheme
• a range of flexible working arrangements as well as flexitime to ensure a working pattern that meets both your needs as well as those of the organisation
• 25 days annual leave with an increase to 30 days after two years of reckonable service, plus 11.5 days of public and privilege holidays
• six months full pay for maternity, adoption or shared parental leave, five weeks full pay for paternity leave and paid leave for any antenatal appointments
• a range of paid special leave including leave for carers and bereavement leave
• a strong commitment to investing in the personal and professional development of all staff
• dedicated wellbeing support and services for all staff including access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• exceptional workplace adjustment support to remove barriers to enable staff to achieve their full potential

We are building a culture that encourages inclusion and diversity and we particularly encourage applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. We also offer access to a range of network groups to support equality, diversity and inclusion.

The post allows flexible working and is open to full time or, by agreement, other working patterns including part-time, job share or compressed hours.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

This competition is being run in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.

The selection panel will use your application to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria during sifting using your statement of suitability and your CV.

If you are shortlisted, you will be provided with full details of the next stages of the selection process.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Please note, if you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum experience as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.

The behaviours required for this role are shown below. You will be assessed against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's experience, skills, and potential fit within our organisation. This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your behaviours, strengths and experience.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Short stage application form

Please complete the first stage short application form, which includes your personal details, eligibility to apply and any reasonable adjustments required.

Stage 2: Written application and sift

As part of the application process, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Behaviours – you will be asked to provide a 250-word statement on each of the following Behaviours:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1250-word count). Your personal statement should explain why you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for this role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.

You should read each of the essential criteria, and think about a time, or an example, that can help demonstrate your knowledge/skills. Remember, this must be evidence based and 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. Please read and understand the key criteria thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against.

ESS uses the Scottish Government Civil Service Success Profile framework which is made up of three elements: Behaviours, Experience and Technical. ESS strongly recommends you have a look at the Success Profiles candidate guide to enable you to make the best application possible. When writing behaviours at application stage or presenting behaviours in interview, ESS recommends you use the STAR format to present your answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Sift

After the closing date, your application will be reviewed and marked.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Success Profile element, Working Together. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The sift is expected to take place from 12 October 2026.

Once the sift has been completed, applicants will be notified of the outcome. Please note that feedback will not be given to applicants at sift stage.

Stage 3: Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• behaviours – Working Together, Communicating and Influencing, Changing and Improving and Making Effective Decisions
• experience

The interviews are expected to take place in person at our Thistle House office week commencing 26 October 2026.

Preparing for the interview

The interview will take approximately one hour and will consist of behaviour-based quest