The posting
Job Description
Job Title - Statistician
Business Area/Directorate - Whole System Intelligence Analysis (WSIA) Division
Location - St Andrews House
Working Arrangement – Staff in roles compatible with hybrid working should spend 40% of their contracted working time working in person at their contractual workplace. More information can be found within Hybrid Working Policy
Grade - C1
Advert type - Temporary Promotion or Level Transfer
Duration - 9 months with possible extension.
Eligibility - Expressions of interest are invited from eligible colleagues in bands A-C.
Sponsorship: Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
Overview
The WSIA Division provides high level analysis of the healthcare system to contribute to policy development and improvement work. The Division is comprised of 2 Analytical Units; one statistical and one research focussed (operational and social).
The Division provides Whole System insights on weekly Management Information on health and social care system performance for policy and monitoring purposes. This is focused on planned care and unscheduled care (flow) in particular with a focus on the First Ministers commitments on waiting times and delayed discharge. In addition, the statistics unit is responsible for regular briefings on NHS statistics published by a range of bodies including NHS 24, Scottish Ambulance Service and Public Health Scotland. Routine reporting is automated using R statistical software.
This role provides an opportunity to lead on analytical work in a high-profile, fast-moving area of government to provide analysis to support high level decision making on healthcare in Scotland.
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a team of statisticians (B3 and B2), setting direction and priorities to deliver high-profile analytical outputs on planned care waiting times that support Ministerial priorities and the improvement of patient access to care.
- Develop and maintain strong strategic partnerships with Public Health Scotland and other key stakeholders to support the delivery of a single, trusted source of planned care management information, ensuring data and analysis are robust, fit for purpose and meet operational monitoring, official statistics and Ministerial requirements.
- Provide expert analytical advice and support to policy colleagues, senior officials and Ministers, enabling evidence-based decision making and effective engagement with the health system to drive improvement in performance and service delivery.
- Oversee continuous improvement of planned care performance reporting and analysis, ensuring they meet evolving business needs and support strategic decision-making across government and the NHS.
There will be opportunities to shape this role and participate in cross Divisional projects and this is strongly encouraged. The post holder will work closely with other WSIA analysts, including social and operational researchers and policy colleagues as well as Public Health Scotland and NHS Boards.
Qualifications
Success Profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on.
Behaviours
- Seeing the bigger picture - Demonstrating understanding of how work fits with and supports organisational objectives to benefit society more broadly
- Delivering at Pace - Ensure delivery of timely quality outcomes by successfully managing resources
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide
Professional skills
- Data analysis - Using professional statistical and data expertise to deliver high quality analytical work.
You can find out more about the GSS competency framework here.
Working Pattern
This a maternity cover temporary promotion for a period of 9 months initially, with possibility of extension.
The post is available as a full-time role but we welcome applications from staff with different working patterns.
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Further Information
For further information, please contact Rucha Amin ([email protected])
How to Apply
Please submit an Expression of Interest (max 750 words), describing how your skills and experience make you suitable for the role. Please note that a CV is not required for this temporary opportunity.
Vacancy closes at 23:59 on Friday 20 November.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of a light-touch interview, scheduled for week commencing 30th November 2026, however, this may be subject to change.
You should have agreement from your line manager to commence this post early in the new year prior to applying for this temporary promotion opportunity.
Following this recruitment exercise, OCS will maintain a reserve list for 12 months for future C1 temporary promotion opportunities.
Temporary Promotion (If Applicable)
Please click the link to access further guidance and information on overview and eligibility Temporary promotion
Recruitment Principles
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.
About us
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service observing the Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.
Equality statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
Apply before: 20/11/2026 (23:59). This role is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship organisations only.
