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Top job! Head of Policy and Research
- Part time
- £60,303 – £68,911 pro-rata
- Remote: Home working, with regular in-person meetings and travel. Office base requirements may be considered
- Closing 4th October 2026
About Us:
The Scottish Food Commission was established as a new independent statutory body within the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022. The Commission’s purpose: to provide stewardship and oversight of Scotland’s Good Food Nation ambition, and to support progress towards a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system for all.
The Commission are now recruiting our first senior staff team. These initial roles will shape how the Commission operates, how it scrutinises evidence and policy, how it engages with relevant authorities and communities, and how it communicates its work with clarity, independence and impact.
We should at the outset make you aware that there is a Programme for Government (PfG) commitment for the Commission to be integrated into Food Standards Scotland, and with this planned integration is the possibility that organisational structures, policies and processes, as well as aspects of the roles may change over time. Whilst we do not expect these changes to be forthcoming imminently, if there are any changes before the appointment start date, these will be communicated with the successful candidate. We do not however expect there to be any changes to the role itself.
Equalities:
The Scottish Food Commission is an inclusive organisation and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, relationship status, disability, age and social class.
We want this recruitment process to be inclusive. Candidates will be invited to tell us about any reasonable adjustments needed in relation to the application process, assessment exercise or interview.
The Role:
The Head of Policy and Research is a senior leadership role with responsibility for the Commission’s policy scrutiny, research, evidence, data, analysis, expert advice and formal recommendations in relation to Scotland’s Good Food Nation, meaning that you’ll have the opportunity to lead in shaping how the Commission provides independent, evidence-led advice from the outset and as the organisation develops.
As the Head of Policy and Research, you will lead the Commission’s policy and research approach to scrutinising the national Good Food Nation Plan and relevant authority plans, ensuring that advice and recommendations are credible, independent, evidence-informed and practical. This means that you’ll be trusted to use your policy insight and judgement to influence work that is ambitious, practical and focused on real progress for people and communities across Scotland.
You will develop and maintain the Commission’s evidence and analytical frameworks, commission or support research where appropriate, and translate evidence into constructive policy advice for Scottish Ministers and relevant authorities, meaning that you will build strong foundations for the Commission’s evidence base, bringing research and analysis together in ways that support fair, constructive and informed decision-making at a national level.
You will work closely with the Head of Engagement and Communications to ensure policy and research are informed by diverse perspectives and communicated clearly, accessibly and impactfully, and with Corporate Services to ensure programmes are planned, governed and resourced effectively, giving you the opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues in ensuring that policy work is inclusive, well communicated and supported by effective planning and resources.
The role requires strategic judgement, political awareness, strong analytical capability, an understanding of public policy, legislation and research methods, and the ability to translate complexity into practical, actionable advice. This means that you’ll bring your skills and sound judgement to a role where complex issues need to be translated clearly and constructively to decision-makers.
As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will also have an organisational leadership role, working closely with the Chief Executive and other Heads of Function to ensure the Commission is effective, independent, collaborative and influential. This gives you the opportunity to be in a visible leadership role in a new organisation, working with supportive senior colleagues to help shape a collaborative, independent and influential Commission.
So, if you are keen to be our Head of Policy and Research and you can display the skills and experience listed here, this is the role you’ve been waiting for.
Further information regarding the role can be found in the recruitment pack and job description.
Scottish Food Commission Benefits:
25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus Public Holidays
Flexible working
Salary sacrifice schemes
Civil service pension scheme – some of the benefits include:
member contribution rates among the lowest in the public sector
tax relief on your contributions
generous employer contributions
a secure, inflation-proof pension for life, with no investment uncertainty
the option of tax-free lump sum on retirement
potential access to ill health and injury benefits if you become too ill to work
life assurance cover
benefits for loved ones and dependants
keeping all your pensions in one place by transferring in a pension you have built up elsewhere
About You:
Some of the skills you will need to be considered as our Head of Policy and Research (please refer to job description for full list of criteria):
A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience
Experience of working in a public policy, legislative, scrutiny, regulatory, research, evidence, data or analytical environment
Strong awareness of food systems policy context
Ability to lead policy review and influence and inform public policy
Understanding of how policy, evidence, legislation, delivery and accountability interact
Exemplary communication skills
Proven ability to design, lead or commission research and evidence programmes
Experience of managing research projects, external suppliers or expert input
Proven ability to manage sensitive relationships and communicate complex messages clearly
Ability to exercise sound judgement in a politically aware but independent manner
Strong management skills and the ability to lead and empower staff
Ability to provide organisational leadership
Experience of business planning and budget management
Current UK Driving Licence and willingness to travel
Permission to work in the UK
Head of Engagement and Communications
- Part time
- £60,303 – £68,911 pro-rata
- Remote: Home working, with regular in-person meetings and travel. Office base requirements may be considered.
- Closing 4th October 2026
About Us:
The Scottish Food Commission was established as a new independent statutory body within the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022. The Commission’s purpose: to provide stewardship and oversight of Scotland’s Good Food Nation ambition, and to support progress towards a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system for all.
The Commission are now recruiting our first senior staff team. These initial roles will shape how the Commission operates, how it scrutinises evidence and policy, how it engages with relevant authorities and communities, and how it communicates its work with clarity, independence and impact.
We should at the outset make you aware that there is a Programme for Government (PfG) commitment for the Commission to be integrated into Food Standards Scotland, and with this planned integration is the possibility that organisational structures, policies and processes, as well as aspects of the roles may change over time. Whilst we do not expect these changes to be forthcoming imminently, if there are any changes before the appointment start date, these will be communicated with the successful candidate. We do not however expect there to be any changes to the role itself.
Equalities:
The Scottish Food Commission is an inclusive organisation and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, relationship status, disability, age and social class.
We want this recruitment process to be inclusive. Candidates will be invited to tell us about any reasonable adjustments needed in relation to the application process, assessment exercise or interview.
The Role:
The Head of Engagement and Communications is a senior leadership role with responsibility for the Commission’s engagement across the food system particularly with the Relevant Authorities, interested parties’ relationships, public involvement, communications strategy, digital channels, publications and public profile, giving you the opportunity to lead on shaping how a new national body connects with people and organisations across Scotland’s food system. This is a chance to bring strategic communications, relationship-building and public engagement together in a role with real purpose and visibility.
You will ensure the Commission engages diverse perspectives, including relevant authorities, communities, people with lived experience of food-related issues, children and young people, and interested parties across Scotland’s food system. In practice, you will ensure a wide range of voices are heard, including those who are often less involved in decision-making. If you are passionate about inclusive engagement and creating trusted spaces for people to contribute, this role gives you a strong platform to make that happen.
You will lead communications that make the Commission’s work clear, accessible, inclusive and impactful, while safeguarding its statutory independence and reputation as a credible and constructive body. You will help people understand the role of the Commission and its work. You will play an important part in building confidence in the Commission’s independence, credibility and public value.
You will work closely with the Head of Policy and Research to ensure engagement informs scrutiny, evidence, advice and recommendations, and with Corporate Services to ensure publication processes, organisational coordination and corporate requirements are well managed. This means, working collaboratively with colleagues across the senior team, helping to turn engagement insight into practical evidence, advice and recommendations. This is a role where your ability to connect people, ideas and processes will be highly valued.
The role requires excellent engagement, facilitation, relationship-building and strategic communications capability, with strong judgement in handling sensitive or high-profile issues. You can expect to demonstrate your confidence in working with people, ability to navigate complexity with sensitivity and calm judgement, and represent the organisation on issues that matter.
As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will also have an organisational leadership role, working closely with the Chief Executive and other Heads of Function to ensure the Commission is effective, independent, collaborative and influential. Giving you the opportunity to be part of the organisation’s senior leadership from the outset, helping to shape its culture, ways of working and external influence.
So, if you are keen to be our Head of Engagement and Communications and you can display the skills and experience listed here, this is the role you’ve been waiting for.
Further information regarding the role can be found in the recruitment pack and job description
Scottish Food Commission Benefits:
25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus Public Holidays
Flexible working
Salary sacrifice schemes
Civil service pension scheme – some of the benefits include:
member contribution rates among the lowest in the public sector
tax relief on your contributions
generous employer contributions
a secure, inflation-proof pension for life, with no investment uncertainty
the option of tax-free lump sum on retirement
potential access to ill health and injury benefits if you become too ill to work
life assurance cover
benefits for loved ones and dependants
keeping all your pensions in one place by transferring in a pension you have built up elsewhere
About You:
Some of the skills you will need to be considered as our Head of Engagement and Communications (please refer to job description for full list of criteria):
A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience
Experience of leading inclusive engagement and communications
Awareness of food systems policy context
Exemplary communication skills
Experience developing communications strategies, plans, and publications
Ability to communicate complex issues clearly
Strong judgement in handling sensitive, high-profile or reputational matters
Ability to gather, interpret and present engagement insight clearly to inform scrutiny, advice and recommendations
Understanding of how lived experience, public insight and expert perspectives can inform policy and decisions
Strong management skills and the ability to lead staff
Ability to provide organisational leadership
Experience of business planning and budget management
Current UK Driving Licence and Willingness to travel
Permission to work in the UK