Principal Analyst - Population Insights

About The Role

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For full details about the role, please refer to the Job Description, Person Specification and Selection Information & Timeline.

Qualifications

The post holder should be qualified to degree level or have significant relevant leadership experience with an understanding of data and analysis in support of business improvement.

ESSENTIAL

A qualification in data analysis, project management, business improvement or related disciplines.

DESIRABLE

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Management Experience: Experience of working as a senior manager within an analytical or business improvement role/function, with ability to effectively work across departments and support other business areas.

ESSENTIAL

Critical Analysis & Report Writing: Experience of carrying out critical analysis of complex information derived from a variety of different qualitative and quantitative sources in order to provide robust assessment. Ability to apply knowledge in order to collate complex information into high quality, balanced and evidenced based reports, which identify trends and patterns. Experience of developing new data products & briefings where required, with a pragmatic approach to judging balance between rapid response and data quality.

ESSENTIAL

Expectations of Public Body Organisations: Understanding of the expectations of a public body in Scotland and/or the wider justice strategic environment in terms of performance and improvement. Experience of providing evidence-based briefings to senior staff including ministers, and of working with operational data / legacy systems.

DESIRABLE

Stakeholder Management: Experience communicating technical, complex information to non-technical colleagues; working on cross-functional project teams and managing varied priorities. Experience of managing stakeholder expectations and moderate difficult discussions about high risk and complex topics, even within constrained timescales.

ESSENTIAL

Essential Competencies for Success

Solve Problems & Make Decisions

Listen & Communicate

Plan & Organise

About Us

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) operates in a fascinating, complex and rapidly changing environment. Our vision is to help build a safer Scotland by unlocking potential and transforming lives. To enable us to successfully deliver our vision, we are committed to nurturing and investing in our greatest strength and resource: Our People.

We are proud to employ a diverse range of people; each contributing their own unique experiences and skills to enhance the service we deliver. Whatever the role, you will find your SPS experience both challenging and rewarding. You will be committed to helping us to achieve our goals and in return we will be committed to helping you to achieve yours.

We employ approximately 5,000 staff across our prisons, headquarters, college, and training and storage facility. The hard work of our staff is the most critical component in the successful delivery of Scotland’s prison system.

We need professional, capable and motivated individuals who reflect Scotland’s diversity to deliver effective and efficient activities and services to achieve our Mission and realise our Vision.

Whatever SPS profession you embark upon, you will be a valued member of the team, helping us build a Safer Scotland for the communities we serve. We are committed to your personal and professional development and offer a wide range of career progression opportunities.

Civil Service Values

All Civil Servants, and therefore anyone employed by the Scottish Prison Service, must be able to fully comply with the requirements of the Civil Service Code. Everyone is expected to carry out their role with dedication and uphold the core values of the Civil Service: Honesty, Integrity, Objectivity and Impartiality.

Integrity: putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests.

Honesty: being truthful and open.

Objectivity: basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence.

Impartiality: acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well Governments of different political persuasions.

The Civil Service Commission

Our recruitment is conducted in line with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles and external competitions are regulated by the Civil Service Commission. While the legal requirement to follow these Principles applies specifically to external appointments, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) recognises these standards as best practice. Accordingly, SPS fully adopts these principles as the foundation for all recruitment activity, including internal recruitment and selection processes.

External competitions: if you believe that the requirement for selection for appointment on merit based on fair and open competition has not been met, you have the right to raise a complaint. Further information on the Commission’s complaints procedure is available at: https://www.civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/.

Internal competitions: if you believe that the requirement for selection for appointment on merit based on fair and open competition has not been met, you can raise a complaint to your HR Business Partner.

Advertising End Date:

20 Jul 2026

All Locations

Location(s):

Scottish Prison Service Headquarters - Edinburgh

Salary Description

Pay Band

G

Vacancy Type

Vacancy Type:

Temporary

Contract Duration

Contract Duration

12 months

Salary Details:

Salary Details:

£62130 -£68352

Hours Per Week

Hours Per Week:

35

Working Pattern

Working Pattern:

Normal Office Hours

Eligible For Hybrid Working?

Eligible For Hybrid Working?

Yes