Roles of ministerial private office staff: FOI release

Information requested

Copies of job descriptions and roles and responsibilities of all Scottish Government “ministerial private office” staff at pay scale grade C1, C2, C3 and SCS.

For the avoidance of doubt, this should include what is expected of individuals at these grades in relation to “Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts".

Response

This is a formal notice under Section 38(1)(b) (personal information). This exemption applies because releasing the job descriptions may allow the individuals fulfilling these roles to be identified and is treated similarly to other HR material. Disclosing this information would contravene the data protection principles set out in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and Section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exemption is not subject to the public interest test, and we are therefore not required to consider whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

To assist you with your request I am, however, able to provide you with the following general information on the roles and responsibilities requested.

SCS: Deputy Director

• The SCS Deputy Director post holder fulfils the role of Principal Private Secretary to the First Minister and is responsible for oversight of the Ministerial Private Office (MPO) division, including being the accountable officer for the divisional certificates of assurance.

C3: Senior Management Team

• C3 post holders report to the Deputy Director and have management responsibility for MPO C Band staff (C2s and C1s). The C3s coordinate business delivery and corporate commitments for MPO. As currently configured, the two C3s each lead on division logistics and division resourcing respectively. This includes the effective delivery of ministerial engagements, gifts and travel.

C2: Division Management Team

• C2 post holders report to the C3s and have management responsibility for MPO C Band staff (C1s). The C2s are responsible for leading private offices and managing corporate responsibilities, including learning and development and open government. This includes the effective delivery of ministerial engagements, gifts and travel.

C1: Private Secretary

• C1 post holders report to the C2s and have management responsibility for MPO B Band staff (B3s and B2s). The C1s are responsible for providing support to Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers, ensuring they can effectively deliver government business. This includes the effective delivery of ministerial engagements, gifts and travel.

About FOI

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