Deputy Head of Office

Do you want to play a leading role in representing Scotland's interests at the heart of Europe?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join The Scottish Government as Deputy Head of Office in the British Embassy in Paris. You will work closely with colleagues from Directorate for Culture and External Affairs (DCEA), the Directorates for International Trade & Investment, Economic Development, Energy and Climate Change, as well as colleagues leading on international higher education and research, tourism, and sport. An essential element of the post will involve working in partnership with key Scotland based stakeholders, including Visit Scotland and Brand Scotland.

Within this post you will be offered a fantastic opportunity to join the team representing Scottish interests in France. This team sits within the Scottish Government's Directorate for Culture and External Affairs (DCEA), which leads engagement at home and internationally to enhance Scotland's reputation, increase sustainable economic growth, and strengthen our international relationships and partnerships. 

The office is responsible for representing Scottish interests in France. You will support the Head of Office to promote the development of partnerships between Scotland and France. You will also work closely with Scottish Development International's France-based team to deliver our shared objectives for trade and investment, including supporting the growth of our Global Scots network. Your work will be varied, fast moving and dynamic, and you can expect an important level of Ministerial interest and frequent contact with senior leadership across business and academia. You will work with partners to develop cultural and academic ties, as well as trade and investment links. The post is likely to involve travel throughout France and visits to the UK to build and harness relationships. Early priorities will include supporting the delivery of the Scottish Government's climate ambitions, cultural diplomacy strategy and strategy for international education in France.

Responsibilities 

• Developing and maintaining effective networks in the French Government, business, academia, civil society and with international organisations based in Paris, such as the OECD and UNESCO, through which the office can ensure the Scottish position on issues of key strategic importance is well understood and our objectives are delivered. 
• Developing a substantive programme of co-operation with French partners on a range of priority issues of shared concern, through the development of structured collaboration and policy exchange. 
• With SDI colleagues, supporting existing trade and investment links and promoting Scotland's reputation in France as a connected, innovative, and inclusive nation and a destination of choice for French and French-speaking visitors, students, and investors. 
• Ensuring regular reporting, analysis, and advice on key issues in France and their relevance to policy developments in Scotland. 
• Representing the team on project boards / delivery groups that support the evolution of the expanding overseas network of the Scottish Government and ensuring that lessons from the development of the office feed into those. 
• Providing support to, and on occasion substituting for, the Head of the Scottish Government Paris Hub. 
• Line managing one member of staff. 
• Providing corporate leadership on monetary management and forecasting. 
• Arranging and planning for an exciting programme of stakeholder engagement events, including preparing for high profile Ministerial visits.
• Lead on the monitoring and evaluation process for the office, providing metrics in line with the business plan to feed into overarching annual reports and analysis.

Success Profile 

Technical/Professional Skills

1. Policy Context and Purpose – Level 2 – Practitioner 
2. Working Internationally – Level 1 - Developing

You can find out more about the skills required, here: Policy Profession Standards Annex )

Experience

Knowledge of French language with ability to reach business level within a year of taking up post (This will be tested at interview). 

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing – Level 3
• Working Together – Level 3
• Delivering at Pace – Level 3

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles – Civil Service Behaviours )

How to Apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 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, presentation and language test. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

Assessments are scheduled for week beginning 12 January 2026, though this may be subject to change. Please be advised that the application sift may not be completed prior to the festive period.

We are holding information awareness sessions for anyone who would like to find out more about these roles.  To book a place, click on Working Internationally for the Scottish Government - Recruitment awareness session | Pathways.

About Us

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.

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

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 French citizens are not eligible to apply for this post.

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 to be added

Working Pattern

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.

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.

Eligible Allowances

 Successful candidates will be eligible for allowances such as the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) and relocation package etc. This will be calculated once a successful candidate has been identified.  For further information on allowances and accommodation, see Paris Allowances.

Minimum Time in Post 

The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of three years unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.  There is a possibility of an extension for a further year if mutually agreed.

This post is open to Internal Scottish Government candidates and Common Citizenship organisations only.