The specific responsibilities of the special advisers are as follows: Name Role Appointed Geoff Aberdein Chief of Staff Responsible for the First Minister's strategic programme in Government First Minister’s senior intermediary with key internal and external stakeholders Coordination of the Special Adviser team Policy support on Commonwealth Games and Sport portfolio 26 May 2011 Stuart Nicolson Head of Communications Senior Political Spokesperson 26 May 2011 Noel Dolan Senior Special Adviser to the Deputy First Minister Policy advice on Infrastructure and Investment portfolio Policy advice on Welfare 26 May 2011 Liz Lloyd Senior Special Adviser for Finance (Policy and Communications) Constitution Communications 30 January 2012 Campbell Gunn Senior Special Adviser and Political Spokesperson 8 July 2013 Alexander Anderson Support to the First Minister’s Private Office Contributing to FM’s keynote speeches and new media Policy advice for Culture and External Affairs 8 October 2012 Malcolm Fleming Policy advice on Energy, Rural Affairs and the Environment portfolios Policy advice on International Development portfolio 25 July 2011 John MacInnes Lead on political research Support for First Minister’s Questions Support to the Communications Special Advisers 3 June 2011 Ewan Crawford Senior Special Adviser supporting Ministers on Government Strategy and Constitutional issues 13 February 2013 Colin McAllister Head of Policy Senior Adviser for Education and Lifelong Learning 3 October 2012 David Hutchison Policy advice on the Health and Wellbeing portfolio Adviser for Broadcasting Lead on FOI legislation 8 June 2011 John McFarlane Policy advice on Justice portfolio Policy advice on Parliamentary Business portfolio, including engaging with Parliamentary Liaison Officers 26 May 2011 Delancy Johansson Cross portfolio special adviser reporting to Head of Policy 8 October 2012 The current special adviser pay bands and ranges and the number of special advisers within each pay band are: Pay Band Current Pay Range Number of Special Advisers 1 £39,445 - £52,904 7 2 £51,041 - £67,709 3 3 £65,017 - £83,963 3 3 (premium) £83,549 - £100,942 0 4 £86,965 - £104,462 0 Total Costs include salary, ERNIC and employer pension contributions.