Senior Policy Analysis Officer - Edinburgh, United Kingdom - Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council

Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council

Verified Company

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

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Description

Details:

Reference number:

Salary:

- £40,086 - £46,662
Job grade:

Other
SFC Grade E3
Contract type:
Permanent
Business area:
Funding Team, Finance Directorate
Type of role:
Policy
Working pattern:
Flexible working, Fulltime
Number of jobs available:
1Contents

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About the job

Benefits:

Things you need to know

Location

EdinburghAbout the job

Job summary:

Senior Policy Analysis Officer, Student Support

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic policy professional with experience of student support, funding and public policy development to join the Funding team within our Finance Directorate.

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) is the national funding authority that invests circa
£2 billion every year in tertiary education, research and knowledge exchange through Scotland's colleges and universities.

As one of the biggest investors of public funds in Scotland, we make a huge contribution to Scotland's economy and wellbeing, securing impact and quality outcomes for students, employers and wider social and economic objectives.

This is an exciting time for us: following a national Review of our mission, we are refocusing our priorities, operations and capabilities, in order to add even greater value and make a difference for Scotland.

Reporting to the Assistant Director Funding, this post will lead on the development and implementation of student support policy and the associated funding.

Working closely with SFC colleagues, colleges, the Scottish Government and other key stakeholders, the Student Support team is responsible for all aspects of student support policy including the allocation of funding for student bursaries, childcare, Educational Maintenance Allowances and discretionary funds.

You must have high level interpersonal and communication skills (orally and in writing) which will give you the ability to: work effectively with internal and external stakeholders; understand and respond to complex issues in an appropriate manner and to interpret, analyse and explain complex information and data to audiences with varying degrees of expertise.

We use financial and other data to cost policy proposals and inform budgetary decisions so you must have the ability to work with data.

The abilities to think and act strategically and manage and develop staff are essential. You should be qualified to SCQF level 9 (Degree) or have equivalent experience and possess good IT skills.

Some understanding of the further and higher education sectors and the current Scottish political and government environment is desirable.

This role is currently based in our Edinburgh office.

We have introduced a hybrid way of working which means you will be able to work at home as well as spending some time at the office.

We also understand the value of flexible working and we will be happy to consider flexible working arrangements for this position.

Job description:

Background and purpose of role
The postholder will report to the Assistant Director, Funding and currently line manages one member of staff.

The postholder will also work closely with other members of the Funding Team and will be the key liaison on student support and ITE issues across SFC.

Key responsibilities
Act as policy lead on SFC student support funding:

Lead on the allocation of student support funding (c.£135 million
bursary, childcare and discretionary funds) ensuring proper and effective allocation of funding to colleges to meet need.
Manage the annual inyear redistribution process to align demand for student support with available funds this involves the potential recovery and reallocation of unspent funds to areas of need.
Provide financial and budgetary advice on student support, to ensure that student support budgets are set at the appropriate level as part of SFC's annual funding cycle and that any policy changes are accurately costed.
Work closely with colleagues in the Scottish Government and Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) to advise on the funding and policy implications of proposed changes, and the implementation of changes, to the student support system for colleges as a result of Scottish Government priorities.
Work closely with Scottish Government and SAAS colleagues to develop a knowledge and understanding of Scottish Government student support legislation and associated residency legislation, and how these impact on SFC student support policy regulations.
Update and publish student support policy and guidance documents, taking account of Scottish Government guidance and consultation with the college sector (as appropriate).
Oversee the management of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), which is a demandled budget which SFC administers on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Develop and maintain knowledge of the UK welfare benefits system and Scotland's devolved social security regulations a