Yes. In the G7 group of advanced countries, the United States has a science advisor to the President, John Marburger. The United Kingdom has a chief scientist, David King, who retired at Christmas and has been replaced by John Beddington. Australia is not in the G8, but Japan has a science advisor.
Your question is, how does it work? All of those countries also have an advisory council, so it's the combined effort of those two advisory capacities, which I think is important and powerful. Why do I say that? For example, I think it's essential that the national science advisor or the chief scientist has the ear of the Prime Minister but also is able to interact with the science advisory capacity in the country more generally, and from a council particularly. It is the combination of those two things. The science advisor can give instant counsel and advice on an issue that may not be large enough to stimulate a discussion, a review, or a particular study.