Job Description

Details

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Reference number

442371

Salary

60,010 - 74,820
Our salary from 60,010 with the maximum salary on this scale being 74,820 as of April 2025 (subject to future COPFS pay awards). All payments are pro rata for part-time staff.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Administration / Corporate Support

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Edinburgh

About the job

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Job summary

COPFS is Scotland?s prosecution service, and we are seeking an exceptional Private Secretary to enable the Crown Agent and Chief Executive (CACE) to lead the organisation effectively. This senior leadership role sits at the centre of COPFS, requiring strategic judgment, political acuity, and the ability to manage complex priorities with confidence.

Job description

You will lead and develop the Private Office team, setting standards, workflows, and resilience plans while owning commissioning and quality assurance of submissions and briefings. Acting as the CACE?s principal adviser, you will convert strategic intent into clear plans, oversee horizon scanning, and commission cross-COPFS analysis to present concise, actionable options. You will be the first point of contact for senior stakeholders, including Scottish Government and justice partners, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and governance requirements.

Person specification

To succeed, you will demonstrate leadership and team development, setting clear standards and driving continuous improvement. You will bring strategic planning expertise, turning priorities into measurable outcomes and resolving bottlenecks. Your judgement and stakeholder influence will be critical in handling sensitive issues and building trusted relationships. Finally, you will have exceptional communication skills, producing clear, insightful briefings and decision-support materials for senior leaders.


This is a unique opportunity to operate at the heart of Scotland?s criminal justice system, shaping strategic priorities and enabling leadership at the highest level.

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 60,010, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service contributes 17,384 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.We offer an excellent range of benefits which include:

+ 25 days paid holiday + 11.5 public and privilege holidays (rising to 30 days paid holiday after 4 years).
+ Generous Civil Service Pension employer contribution, on average over 28.97% of your pay
+ Flexible working hours and family friendly approach to work.
+ Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loans.
+ Employee Wellbeing Support with Mental Health First Aiders and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.

Things you need to know

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Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

If you would be interested to learn more about this role, please see the attached application pack for further job details, salary information and assessment guidance.



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.



We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : recruitment@copfs.gov.uk Email : recruitment@copfs.gov.uk
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Recruitment team

* Email : recruitment@copfs.gov.uk