Policy Officer (Grade E2)

Key Responsibilities

• Support the implementation and ongoing development of the Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Fund (KEIF), including associated knowledge exchange metrics. 
• Contribute to the development of clear, accessible guidance and communications for institutions and stakeholders, supporting consistent understanding and delivery of policy. 
• Support the coordination of KE data collection, returns and information requests, providing analysis and insight to inform monitoring and policy development. 
• Assist in monitoring delivery, outcomes and emerging impacts at an institutional and sector level, helping to demonstrate the value of SFC investment. 
• Undertake KE&I research and analysis to inform advice and guidance for internal colleagues and external stakeholders. 
• Work collaboratively to support engagement with key stakeholders, including universities and Scottish Government officials. 
• Contribute to the design and delivery of cross directorate research and innovation activity, supporting joined up working and coherence across SFC policy areas.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Effective oral and written communication skills, with the ability to research, analyse, understand and respond appropriately to complex issues.
• Experience of conducting analysis, including working with quantitative datasets and qualitative/ narrative information to generate insight.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and to work collaboratively across teams. 
• Excellent organisational abilities, with the ability to respond to a varied workload while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• A positive, flexible and resilient approach with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and work constructively in a dynamic environment.
• Qualified to SCQF Level 9 (Degree) or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of UK Higher Education institutions.

• Policy development and implementation experience.
• Understanding of research and innovation policy in the Scottish and UK context and of the main policy issues in higher education.  

Terms and Benefits

About
We are the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council, more commonly known as the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).We are Scotland’s tertiary education and research authority and our purpose is to sustain a world-leading system of tertiary education, research and innovation that enables students to flourish, changes lives for the better, and supports social, economic and environmental wellbeing and prosperity.We do this by investing around £2 billion of public money to deliver:Tertiary learning and teaching.Skills and apprenticeships.Student support and participation.Research, innovation and knowledge exchange.Data collection and dissemination.National quality assurance and enhancement processes.Capital and digital infrastructure for the sector.Strategic change, responsive provision and research priorities.As a non-departmental public body established by the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005, we are directly accountable to Scottish Government Ministers and the Scottish Parliament. We work across many government portfolios and are sponsored by the Lifelong Learning Directorate.We hold colleges, universities and other funded bodies to account for their delivery of required outcomes. We are also the statistical authority for colleges, and work closely with the UK-wide Higher Education Statistical Authority (HESA), to provide data and statistics for government, decision-makers, and the wider public.We work in partnership with a wide range of partners and bodies, including those we fund, across all aspects of our remit.General information for applicants for SFC rolesYou must already be eligible to work in the UK to apply for these roles.  SFC do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skills Worker License and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. We are pleased to support applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, socio-economic background, gender, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, as well as those who have skills in Scottish Gaelic or British Sign Language, who have the right skills for the job.  We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and actively encourage interviews through the scheme.  Further information about SFC is available on our website Scottish Funding Council home page (sfc.ac.uk).   Additional information about our recruitment process can be found at Recruitment Information and Tips | Scottish Funding Council Careers (sfc.ac.uk).