At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data analysis and reporting for emergency initiatives in the prison service.
- Company: Scottish Prison Service, committed to effective public service and collaboration.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 37 days annual leave, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; dynamic role with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on justice through data insights and collaboration with partners.
- Qualifications: Degree-level qualification or significant leadership experience in data analysis.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Temporary, 12 months. The Scottish Prison Service is currently experiencing unprecedented population pressures, with a number of significant emergency initiatives being developed and delivered in response. In addition, a range of data requirements are emerging from emergency resilience measures in place around Operation Anchor. This will create additional data analysis requirements around joint working with justice partners at rapid pace in response to contingency measures. Recognising the challenges (and opportunities) presented by this context, there is an urgent requirement for this Principal Analyst post to enhance our capacity to generate insights related to the prison population and enable close analytical working with justice partners.
Sitting within the Office of the Chief Executive, the postholder will work alongside the corporate Data & Analysis team to lead data assurance, analysis and reporting related to these emergency initiatives – thus helping SPS to meet its obligations as an effective prison service, as an Executive Agency of Scottish Government, and as a public body. Collaboration and partnership working will be a critical feature in this role, as the postholder will be working with legacy systems and constantly changing operational data. The postholder will need to work closely with SPS colleagues across directorates – as well as with a range of justice partner agencies – as part of governance groups created to oversee the emergency population response. The relationship and coordination with Justice Analytical Services and SG Policy colleagues will be particularly important given the need for robust modelling and analysis in support of Ministerial decision-making and Parliamentary scrutiny. This is a 12-month fixed term post based within SPS Headquarters (Edinburgh), however this role is open to hybrid working.
What you will lead:
- Data assurance, analysis and reporting related to emergency initiatives and working jointly with justice partners in doing so to address population pressures across the SPS estate.
- Line manage one Analyst, with the collective aim of ensuring that data collected across a variety of systems is accurate, fit for purpose and reportable.
- Development and implementation of performance and benefits frameworks that evidence impact.
- Liaison, coordination and collaboration with Justice Analytical Services (JAS) to ensure delivery of actions agreed by key governance groups, including modelling and analysis in support of Ministerial decision-making and Parliamentary scrutiny.
What you will bring:
- Professional qualification to degree level or have significant relevant leadership experience with an understanding of data and analysis in support of business improvement.
- Experience of working as a senior manager within an analytical or business improvement role/function.
- Experience of carrying out critical analysis of complex information derived from a variety of different qualitative and quantitative sources.
- Experience communicating technical, complex information to non-technical colleagues.
In return, we offer a package that aims to look after your health and wellbeing (employee assistance programme and lifestyle screenings), work-life balance (flexible/hybrid working) and professional development. Not to mention a whole host of other benefits including 37 days’ annual leave (pro-rata), generous Civil Service Pension and access to our employee discounts and savings scheme.
For further information on this opportunity, including the full job description/person specification and applicant pack, please visit our Careers page on the Scottish Prison Service website. Closing date: 20 July 2026.
Locations
Principal Analyst - Population Insights in Currie, Edinburgh employer: Scottish Prison Service
The Scottish Prison Service is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With flexible hybrid working options, generous annual leave, and a commitment to collaboration across justice partners, this role as Principal Analyst - Population Insights provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a balanced work-life experience in the heart of Edinburgh.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Analyst - Population Insights in Currie, Edinburgh
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We think you need these skills to ace Principal Analyst - Population Insights in Currie, Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Data Projects:When applying for a temporary data science role at Scottish Prison Service, make sure to showcase any relevant projects you've worked on. Whether it's a personal project, an academic undertaking, or contributions to an open-source initiative, detailing these experiences can really set you apart and demonstrate your practical skills.
Emphasise Your Analytical Skills:In your CV and cover letter, focus on the specific analytical skills that are key to data science. Mention any experience with statistical tools, programming languages like Python or R, and data visualisation software. Don't forget to include any certifications that may bolster your expertise!
Show Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, it's important to convey your adaptability and willingness to learn. In your cover letter to Scottish Prison Service, emphasise how quickly you can get up to speed with new tools or projects. Highlight any previous experiences where you've had to adjust to new environments or challenges.
Craft a Unique Data-Driven Cover Letter:Instead of the usual generic cover letter, spice it up with some data! Maybe you’ve improved a process by 20% in a past role or cleaned a dataset with over a million entries. Use these stats to your advantage to grab Scottish Prison Service’s attention and show the tangible impact of your work.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Prison Service
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
For a data science gig, it's crucial to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Be ready to discuss previous projects and the methodologies you used. Think about how you can quantify your impact—did your analysis improve efficiency or save costs? These are the stories that will stick with interviewers at Scottish Prison Service.
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
You might face technical questions on tools relevant to data science, like Python, R, or SQL. Prepare to solve a problem live—perhaps they'll ask you to write a simple query or code snippet. It’s cool to talk about them, but we need to show we can do it in practice, especially in a temporary role where quick results matter.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to learn quickly and adapt to new tools or workflows. Share examples of how you've thrived in fast-paced environments before, and how you can hit the ground running at Scottish Prison Service.
✨Prepare a Portfolio of Your Work
Bring your portfolio to the table—showcase projects where you've leveraged data science techniques to solve problems. Whether it’s a GitHub repository or a set of case studies, having tangible examples of your work will help you stand out and show what you bring to the team at Scottish Prison Service.
