Coordination and Briefing Manager

About The Role

Based within the Office of the Chief Executive (OCE), this role provides flexible support across the business support and communications functions at the centre of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS). As a member of the Business Management Team, you will contribute to maintaining and enhancing service delivery and ensuring effective support to the Chief Executive and Senior Team.

You will lead the commissioning, coordination, and quality assurance of a range of briefings and narrative products, including PQ responses, ministerial correspondence, and Cabinet Secretary briefing. The role also acts as a key contact within the OCE, building strong relationships across SPS and the Scottish Government to anticipate emerging issues and prepare timely, high‑quality briefing.

For full details about the role, please refer to the Job Description, Person Specification and Selection Information & Timeline.

Qualifications

Be qualified to degree level in a relevant business related discipline OR have relevant equivalent experience in a corporate environment.

ESSENTIAL

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Working with others - Ability to work collaboratively with others to deliver strategic outcomes and priorities across the Justice landscape and external stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL

Written Skills - Ability to produce clear and concise written communications that capture the ethos and aims of the Scottish Prison Service.

ESSENTIAL

Business Management - Ability to effectively undertake corporate business management and reporting processes and have an understanding of how complex issues are managed, and how decisions are made within a relatively large public sector organisation.

ESSENTIAL

Government Awareness Understanding of SPS Framework, Document, Ministerial/Parliamentary briefing and processes, such as PQs and First Minister’s Questions

DESIRABLE

Essential Competencies for Success

Solve Problems & Make Decisions

Listen & Communicate

Plan & Organise

Relationships & Collaboration

About Us

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) operates in a fascinating, complex and rapidly changing environment. Our vision is to help build a safer Scotland by unlocking potential and transforming lives. To enable us to successfully deliver our vision, we are committed to nurturing and investing in our greatest strength and resource: Our People.

We are proud to employ a diverse range of people; each contributing their own unique experiences and skills to enhance the service we deliver. Whatever the role, you will find your SPS experience both challenging and rewarding. You will be committed to helping us to achieve our goals and in return we will be committed to helping you to achieve yours.

We employ approximately 5,000 staff across our prisons, headquarters, college, and training and storage facility. The hard work of our staff is the most critical component in the successful delivery of Scotland’s prison system.

We need professional, capable and motivated individuals who reflect Scotland’s diversity to deliver effective and efficient activities and services to achieve our Mission and realise our Vision.

Whatever SPS profession you embark upon, you will be a valued member of the team, helping us build a Safer Scotland for the communities we serve. We are committed to your personal and professional development and offer a wide range of career progression opportunities.

Civil Service Values

All Civil Servants, and therefore anyone employed by the Scottish Prison Service, must be able to fully comply with the requirements of the Civil Service Code. Everyone is expected to carry out their role with dedication and uphold the core values of the Civil Service: Honesty, Integrity, Objectivity and Impartiality.

Integrity: putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests.

Honesty: being truthful and open.

Objectivity: basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence.

Impartiality: acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well Governments of different political persuasions.

The Civil Service Commission

Our recruitment is conducted in line with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles and external competitions are regulated by the Civil Service Commission. While the legal requirement to follow these Principles applies specifically to external appointments, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) recognises these standards as best practice. Accordingly, SPS fully adopts these principles as the foundation for all recruitment activity, including internal recruitment and selection processes.

External competitions: if you believe that the requirement for selection for appointment on merit based on fair and open competition has not been met, you have the right to raise a complaint. Further information on the Commission’s complaints procedure is available at: https://www.civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/.

Internal competitions: if you believe that the requirement for selection for appointment on merit based on fair and open competition has not been met, you can raise a complaint to your HR Business Partner.

Internal Advertising End Date

Advertising End Date

10 Jul 2026

Advertising End Date:

10 Jul 2026

All Locations

Location(s):

Scottish Prison Service Headquarters - Edinburgh

Salary Description

Pay Band

F

Vacancy Type

Vacancy Type:

Temporary

Contract Duration

Contract Duration

12 months

Salary Details:

Salary Details:

£54398 - £58065

Hours Per Week

Hours Per Week:

35

Working Pattern

Working Pattern:

Normal Office Hours

Eligible For Hybrid Working?

Eligible For Hybrid Working?

Yes