Business Support Officer
Environmental Standards Scotland
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 6th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) is an independent corporate body, directed by a Chair and Board. ESS is a Non-Ministerial Office, part of the Scottish Administration, and employees are civil servants. Full details are available on the ESS website Home - Environmental Standards Scotland.
ESS was established by the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021, which received royal ascent in January 2021. ESS was established and gained its statutory functions and powers on 1 October 2021.
ESS has been set up to ensure environmental laws and standards are adhered to in Scotland, replacing the European Union’s scrutiny and enforcement role after Brexit.
The remit of ESS covers a broad range of environmental law, including all aspects of environmental protection and harm, particularly in relation to human beings and their enjoyment of the environment.
ESS’ role is to scrutinise, investigate and secure improvements in public authorities’ compliance with environmental law, the effectiveness of environmental law, and the way it is being implemented and applied in Scotland.
The body has published a Strategic Plan, setting out how it will operate and function, including how it will act objectively, impartially, proportionately and transparently. ESS is accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the effective performance of its functions.
The organisation will carry out its role by:
- monitoring information about the quality of the environment in Scotland and the effectiveness of environmental law, including representations brought forward by citizens and interested groups
- seeking information from public authorities, including the Scottish Government, and working with the public authorities to understand the background to regulatory policies and practices
- selecting a small number of cases for detailed investigation, prioritising cases where there is the greatest risk to the environment
- working with public authorities, where necessary, to seek to agree changes in practice to reflect environmental law, or develop advice on recommended changes to the law to improve its effectiveness
Job description
Person specification
Key duties and responsibilities will include working collaboratively and flexibly as part of the wider ESS Team, to support effective and efficient organisational processes and systems:
- provide executive and secretariat support to the Chief Executive, the Board and the Audit and Risk Committee, including: co-ordinating meetings; management of relevant mailboxes; payroll support; supporting maintenance of governance documentation; and other ad-hoc requests
- provide administrative support for general ESS corporate service requirements, including; information gathering and management; document retention and reporting; general correspondence; and routine compliance and monitoring checks, such as gathering carbon footprint data
- administrate the day-to-day general ESS finance requirements, including: creating and submitting purchase order requests and invoices; supporting colleagues with electronic procurement card payments; checking invoices at risk; producing routine financial reports; and other ad-hoc requests
- assist with ESS internal and external stakeholder management, through the co-ordination of meetings
- provide administrative support to the Corporate Services and Communications team, to ensure tasks are delivered on time and of the right quality, through developing a sound knowledge of relevant operational ESS policies and procedures to ensure compliance is maintained
- provide ad-hoc administrative support to the wider Investigations, Compliance and Standards Team and the Strategy and Analysis team
Essential Criteria
- Strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Word and Excel.
- A strong customer focus, with excellent communications skills to work with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to work on your own with minimal supervision, manage challenging workloads and competing priorities, whilst maintain attention to detail.
- A proactive approach and the ability to use initiative to come up with solutions quickly when challenges arise.
Qualifications
Other qualifications equivalent to these may also be acceptable, if you are in any doubt please contact the Recruiting Manager named at the bottom of the advert to discuss.
Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Communications & Engagement
- Analysis and Use of Evidence
- Improving Performance
- Financial Management
Benefits
Benefits
ESS is a small organisation focused on ensuring Scotland achieves the highest environmental standards. We seek skilled individuals who have a passion for improving environmental standards through public service, and that can work as part of a small multidisciplinary team.
In return, we offer a competitive employment package, including the civil service pension and a strong commitment to investing in each member of our teams personal and professional development. We also offer opportunities to work on some of the most significant and meaningful environmental challenges facing us today and the chance to play a part in helping to improve the quality of the environment for the people of Scotland.
As a new organisation we are building a culture that encourages inclusion and diversity and welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
CV plus statement of suitability based on meeting the essential criteria.
The Skills for Success Competencies required for this role are shown below. You will be tested against these competencies at interview.
- Communications & Engagement
- Analysis and Use of Evidence
- Improving Performance
- Financial Management
In addition to setting out information on your work experience, please submit a personal statement (no longer than 1,000 words) explaining 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.
Sift and Interview dates are yet to be confirmed.
We would wish, where possible, to hold interviews in person. This will be managed in a safe and appropriate way within the ESS offices at Thistle House in Edinburgh.
If an alternative virtual interview is required, we will ask all applicants to ensure that they have a suitable space to complete the online interview. In addition, a personal device of choice that can access MS Teams will be required, alongside access to personal Wi-Fi/Broadband that has capacity to carry both audio and video feeds.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Alasdair Dewar, Business Support Manager
- Email : Alasdair.dewar@environmentalstandards.scot
Recruitment team
- Email : enquiries@environmentalstandards.scot
