Senior Policy Analyst (Nature Recovery) at Environmental Standards Scotland in Edinburgh

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 a Senior Policy Analyst into the Nature Recovery Team in the New Scrutiny Duties Development Department:

The role will support the work of the department to establish and undertake:

• scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s delivery against the new statutory biodiversity targets which will be set under the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026

Key duties and responsibilities include:

• undertake and commission analysis of environmental policy, legislation and regulatory frameworks to support ESS assessments on environmental targets and delivery of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy
• identify, gather, analyse and communicate intelligence on relevant policy, regulatory and legislative developments to a range of audiences
• lead the coordination and drafting of ESS' statutory response to Scottish Government progress on delivery of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy
• engage stakeholders to gather evidence, expertise and insight on policy and regulatory implementation that supports environmental target delivery
• build and maintain effective relationships with key partners across in central and local government and the wider environmental sector
• collaborate across ESS to support analysis on key operational work streams, ensuring target-related developments are reflected in our work
• represent ESS internally and externally, promoting understanding of ESS, its role and the New Duties among public authorities and stakeholders
• support the department to develop practice and prepare ways of working to operationalise ESS scrutiny of targets

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

excellent analytical skills with experience delivering high-quality policy analysis including the ability to synthesise complex information drawing out key strategic links and conclusions

Essential criteria

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information and concepts clearly and succinctly to senior decision makers and non-specialists including through formal reports or technical briefings.
• Strong analytical skills and recent experience in the use of multi-disciplinary analysis to support policy, regulatory or operational decisions – either within or outwith government.
• Adaptable and proactive with the ability to respond to changing circumstances and deliver evidence-led decisions.
• Management and interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and deliver effective matrix-managed projects, and to undertake and promote collaborative working within and across teams to deliver results.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge or experience of the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Government and the wider public sector.
• Experience of working in environmental science, law, policy or regulation.
• Experience and skills utilising scientific and data analysis to inform policy development and delivery.
• Knowledge of the environmental governance and policy in Scotland.

Qualifications /experience required

• a degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (such as an environmental science or public policy, etc) or significant experience gained through working within a policy development, implementation or analysis role

Behaviours

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

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

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £49,401, Environmental Standards Scotland contributes

£14,311 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 with a minimum requirement of 28 hours per week.

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:

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

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:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1000-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, Making Effective Decisions. 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 9 November 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 – Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Changing and Improving and Working Together