Head of Woodland Creation and Land Use

Contractual hours: 35
Location: Saughton House
Region: National
Job reference: REQ1159

The Policy and Practice Division is responsible for providing advice to Scottish Ministers on a range of policy issues connected with forestry. Importantly, our work relates to the role forestry plays in our environment, economy, communities and wellbeing.

This is a newly created and important role within the Policy and Practice Division of Scottish Forestry, reporting to the Director of Policy of Practice and working closely with our other policy leads to ensure joined up policymaking and advice.

Your main objective will be to lead on the strategic development of woodland creation policy in support of Scottish Ministers’ targets and objectives, in support of the long-term vision of Scotland’s Forestry Strategy 2019-2029 and Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 2026-2040.

You will also lead on the strategic development of policy – including through close working with colleagues in other Divisions of the Scottish Government – regarding wider land use issues and forestry’s interaction with other land uses. For example, you will act as our lead on agricultural policy and support mechanism insofar as they interact with forestry policy, as well as owning our Control of Woodland Removal policy. You will achieve this by spearheading stronger and more systematic working with colleagues in the Scottish Government’s Agricultural and the Rural Economy Division.

You will engage with regular policy commissions in support of Ministers, senior officials and cross-Government initiatives, in line with strict timescales and procedures. This will require a robust understanding of the broader policy landscape and sound judgement in determining recommendations and handling plans.

Interviews for this post will take place on the 12th May 2026 at our National Office in Edinburgh (Saughton House).

You can view our Privacy Notice on our website at www.forestry.gov.scot/privacy-notice

Closing date: 19 April 2026.