Scottish Government – Scotland’s Civil Service
Scottish Government is at the centre of Scotland’s network of public services and institutions, working to make Scotland a more successful country and a better place to live. We are responsible for over £40 billion of expenditure each year. This provides the public services used every day by the citizens of Scotland including health, education, justice, housing and social security.
The Scottish Government continues to grow and develop. Our collective aim is to improve progress towards the realisation of national performance outcomes as expressed in the National Performance Framework. Working with the Parliament, partners, communities and citizens the core purpose of this work is to:
- create a more successful country
- give opportunities to all people living in Scotland
- increase the wellbeing of people living in Scotland
- create sustainable and inclusive growth
- reduce inequalities and give equal importance to economic, environmental and social progress
When doing this we are guided by the following values:
- to treat all our people with kindness, dignity and compassion
- to respect the rule of law
- to act in an open and transparent way
Senior Management Structure
The Permanent Secretary is the most senior civil servant in Scotland. There are Directors-General with strategic responsibilities for: Corporate; Economy; Scottish Exchequer; Health and Social Care; Education and Justice; Communities; Constitution and External Affairs. They are joined on the Executive Team by the Director for People, Solicitor to the Scottish Government, Chief Financial Officer, Director for Communications & Ministerial Support and Director for Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights.
Director-General oversees a number of Directorates and Agencies, which are headed up by Directors. Directorates will in turn be divided into Divisions, each of which is headed up by a Deputy Director. Under Divisions are Teams or Units.
The Executive Team (ET) is responsible for providing leadership and direction to ensure that the organisation can deliver its goals. The team is collectively and individually accountable for the organisation’s strategy and performance, ensuring that the staff and resources of the Scottish Government are best used to respond to ministerial priorities and deliver the best service possible for the people of Scotland.
Further information about the Scottish Government can be found here
Diversity and Inclusion
“For the Scottish Government properly to serve the citizens of Scotland, it’s vital that we are a welcoming and inclusive organisation. We are actively seeking people committed to that journey, determined to improve diversity and to create a culture where everyone’s experience and perspectives are valued.”
Lesley Fraser, Director General Corporate
The Scottish Government’s ambition is to be a world-leading, diverse and inclusive employer where people can be themselves at work. We are committed to building a workforce of people with a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, who are valued for their unique contributions in an environment that is respectful, supportive and free of discrimination, harassment or bullying. That means a workforce that includes people of different age groups, socio-economic backgrounds, faith and beliefs. People who are trans, disabled, from minority ethnic backgrounds. People who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual or another sexual orientation. A workforce that is representative of the people of Scotland
We know that to do this, we need an inclusive culture. Work to continually improve our organisational culture has led us to the Scottish Government’s new vision, ‘In the service of Scotland’. Five core values underpin this vision: integrity, inclusivity, collaboration, innovation and kindness.
As a Scottish Government Non-Executive Director you will play a key role in supporting us to realise this vision and build our inclusive organization – both as a champion and as a role model. In practice this means positively valuing different perspectives and skills and challenging us to make sure that we make full use of these unique contributions. It means offering strategic advice, support and challenge to our senior leaders in developing a working environment where all staff at all levels are valued and respected, and where discrimination, bullying, promotion of negative stereotyping and harassment are not tolerated.