Join our team and make a real difference to the people of Scotland.
Are you passionate about helping others? Do you want to be a driving force in ensuring that the people of Scotland receive the benefits they deserve? We're on the lookout for dedicated individuals to join our organisation.
This is a rewarding career where you will join an organisation, and team, that values your contributions and offers a supportive environment for professional growth. We are committed to serving the community, whilst creating a brighter future for the people of Scotland. As a key player in our team, you'll play a vital role in ensuring that every eligible individual receives the right benefits at the right time.
The Client Experience Team performs redeterminations for clients when the original determination for entitlement has been challenged. The team also assess and respond to appeal requests. These elements sit independently of the main operational area to assure our clients that their case will be considered independently.
The Presenting Officer role is split between working within the team to develop our approach to managing the appeals process and presenting Social Security Scotland’s position at hearings to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland. These hearings may take place by telephone, video link or in person at Tribunal centres across Scotland. Therefore, some travel may be required.
This position is ideal for someone who is empathetic and able to put clients first. It is important that you are an effective decision maker and are able to build trust and rapport with clients.
This is a high-profile and exciting area, with continuing political, public and media interest. The Appeals Team is split across two locations, our headquarters in Dundee and an additional location in Glasgow.
- Access to our flexible working system with potential to accrue up to four additional days’ leave in a four-week period.
- Minimum five weeks’ annual leave (pro rata) in addition to 11.5 public and privilege holidays.
- Full and comprehensive training, and access to learning and development opportunities to support your personal and professional growth.
- Career progression – join a developing organisation with excellent opportunities for career advancement.
- Attractive Civil Service pension (employer contributions between 26.6% - 27.9%).
- Workplace adjustments for everyone who needs them to ensure your comfort and safety in your new role.
- Health and wellbeing support including 24-hour access to our Employee Assistance Programme, plus counselling support available for all.
Hybrid Working
We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location, however role specific attendance will be discussed and agreed with successful candidates. Your base location will be Dundee or Glasgow.
About Us
Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve.
Find out more about us here
Ensure Client Experience Officers provide high quality casework to the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service and meet deadlines for submitting the Appeal Request Core Bundle and Appeal Responses.- Assessing and responding to complex appeals based on a set of structured rules and processes, having the ability to identify and investigate if evidence appears missing.
- Carry out the Appeal summary checking process and quality assurance sign off for Client Experience Officers casework.
- Responding to correspondence from the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service, including orders, further advice requests or additional information from clients submitted directly to the Tribunal service.
- Develop and maintain a trusted relationship with the Scottish Government Legal Directorate and Policy Teams to ensure that all of the team’s casework meets the requirements set out in the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 and its associated Regulations.
- Prepare fully for appeal hearings, ensuring full awareness of the facts of each case and the relevant legislations and associated regulations. You will present complex social security cases for determination at oral appeal hearings before the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland, this may involve travel across Scotland.
- Supporting the Client Experience Officers to ensure Tribunal decisions are implemented in an accurate and timely manner.
- Work alongside the Scottish Government Legal Directorate to review Tribunal decisions and consider, when appropriate, to seek permission to appeal from the First-tier Tribunal to the Upper Tier Tribunal for Scotland.
- For each Tribunal decision complete a feedback template which will be used to improve performance across the agency.
- Manage changes to policy and processes efficiently and constructively.
- Identify training needs for the Client Experience team – supporting our people to meet their potential.
How to apply
In your application form, we will ask you to provide specific examples of how you meet the Essential Criteria below. You will have 300 words for each to showcase your knowledge, skills, and personal qualities. Your experience and answers here don’t need to be work related. They could be from any part of your life including education, sport, and hobbies or even from your personal or family life. Further information on what makes a good application can be found here.
1. Excellent all-round communication skills, written, verbal and presentational skills including explaining difficult decisions and complex information.
If we receive a large number of applications, we may complete an initial sift on the first essential criteria.
Information Session
The session will tell you more about the role, the application process, the benefits of working with us, and lots of tips and guidance to help you submit a great application.
The session will be held on Monday 25th March at 10.30m - 11.30am.
Please feel free to join us using the link below to find out more about the role and working for Social Security Scotland.
Click here to join the meeting
Interview/Assessment Information
Communications and Engagement- Analysis and Use of Evidence
- Self-Awareness
- Improving Performance
Reserve List
Offers may not be made immediately. A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for up to 9 months.
Recruitment Contact
Further Information
The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion.
Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot
Social Security Scotland’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission (independent.gov.uk)
If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting Social Security Scotland at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot
If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot
If you are interested in us contacting you about further available vacancies, please sign up to our mailing list to receive job alerts.