Head of Scottish Government Office - Nordics

Job Description

Are you ready to shape Scotland’s relationships across the Nordic region – strengthening connections, championing devolved interests, and opening new opportunities for Scotland in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland? 

The Nordics are a region Scotland consistently looks to for inspiration and collaboration, and as Head of the Scottish Government’s Nordic Office, you’ll lead a small, dynamic team at the heart of one of Scotland’s key international priorities. You’ll be Scotland’s lead representative in the region – building trusted relationships with senior figures across governments, business and civil society, while working closely with British Embassy teams, particularly in Copenhagen. Success in this role comes from combining strategic focus with the agility and diplomacy needed to operate in a fast-paced, international environment. Whether forging partnerships or navigating new cultural contexts, you’ll balance resilience and flexibility with a clear sense of purpose. 

Backed by strong partnerships in Scotland -  from Team Scotland partners (SDI, Visit Scotland, Creative Scotland etc), to universities, business, and cultural organisations – you’ll drive forward collaboration that delivers real benefit for Scotland. Across the region you will be promoting Scotland as a partner on shared priorities such as sustainable economic growth, research (including space, data, and life sciences), and the climate transition – all in line with Scotland’s International Strategy.

In a context of financial pressure across government, you’ll be expected to use the Nordic Office’s budget and resources creatively and with clear focus – ensuring maximum economic and strategic value for Scotland. You’ll lead a small team made up of both Scottish Government and locally based staff, setting direction and supporting their professional development. The work is varied and fast-paced, with high levels of Ministerial interest and regular engagement with senior figures from government, business, academia, cultural organisations, and civil society across the region.  

Responsibilities

• Lead Scotland’s engagement with Nordic governments, business, academia, and civil society – enhancing Scotland’s influence and delivering economic and strategic value.  
• Representing the Scottish Government with key stakeholders including the British Embassies in the region, politicians, senior business leaders, media, academics, and thought-leaders across the Nordics.  
• Build structured collaborations with Nordic partners on shared priorities – with a particular focus on climate and energy, economic development, and forging institutional links across a number of sectors including the creative industries, advanced technologies, and healthcare.  
• Work closely with Scottish Development International (SDI) in country, and wider Team Scotland partners, to promote Scotland’s reputation and contribute to sustainable economic growth.  
• Engage with multilateral bodies present in the Nordics, including the UN and its Agencies.
• Provide regular reporting, analysis, and advice on key developments in the Nordics, ensuring Scotland’s political and policy context is informed by up-to-date insights.
• Lead and support a small team, managing and developing staff while overseeing financial management and forecasting for the Nordic Office.
• Operate on a Nordics-wide basis, with travel across the region to build relationships and support inward visits, while based at the Scottish Government’s office in Copenhagen. 

Qualifications

There is no formal language requirement for this post, but some knowledge of Danish, Swedish and/or Norwegian is desirable.

Success Profile

Technical / Professional Skills:

1. Working Internationally – Level 2

Experience:

Knowledgeable about Scotland’s investment landscape and economic strategies, with experience in business and commercial partnerships being an advantage. 

Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing – Level 4
• Working Together – Level 4
• Leadership – Level 4
• Seeing the Bigger Picture – Level 4

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot

How to apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 01/09/25, however this may be subject to change.

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer. 

The Directorate for Culture and External Affairs (DCEA) brings together the Scottish Government’s work on Culture, Population and Migration, International Climate Change, External Affairs and International Development. The Directorate leads on engaging at home and internationally to enhance Scotland's reputation and increase sustainable economic growth, pursue our interests overseas and strengthen our international relationships and partnerships. 

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Security

This post is subject to National Security Vetting to SC level and the successful candidate will need to have the required clearance before taking up post.

Find out more about National Security Vetting here: Vetting explained - GOV.UK  

Nationality  

As positions in our overseas offices are diplomatic postings, they are only open to UK nationals.  Dual nationality is not an automatic bar except when your second nationality is that of the receiving State (i.e. the country where the office is).

This means that Danish citizens are not eligible to apply for this post. 

Working Pattern

This is a full-time representational role and alternative working arrangements will be considered according to business need. 

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week.  We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for,  please contact us.

Provisional Start Date and Length of Service

The successful candidate will be expected to take up post in June 2026. This is a three year posting with a maximum tour length of four years, if a one year extension is agreed by the line manager. You will be expected to remain in post for the duration of this assignment unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade. 

Equality Statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.  

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

To receive a link to the session on the 30th July please contact Gillian Ormiston by email at Gillian.Ormiston@gov.scot.

To receive a link to the session on the 5th August please contact Katie Stewart by email at katie.stewart@gov.scot.