At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to develop innovative software solutions for the Scottish Parliament.
- Company: Be part of a dynamic tech team in a respected institution.
- Benefits: Enjoy 41.5 days leave, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: We value diversity and inclusion, welcoming all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on digital transformation in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: No prior experience required; just bring your passion for coding and teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 32617 - 35259 £ per year.
Salary range: £32,617 to £35,259
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hybrid working from Holyrood, Edinburgh and from home
Leave: 41.5 days (including public holidays)
Working Pattern: This is a full-time post working 35 hours. We’re committed to supporting staff to achieve a healthy work-life balance and are happy to talk about flexible working.
Right to Work in the UK: The Scottish Parliament does not sponsor job applicants for employment visas. Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the UK before starting employment.
Pension: Although not a civil service employer, we offer civil service pension arrangements with an employer contribution of 28.97% of basic annual salary.
Clearance Required: CTC security clearance will be processed at job offer stage.
Closing Date: 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
This is an excellent opportunity to join the Applications Team as an Entry Level Developer. The Applications Team delivers innovative solutions and services to support the work of the Parliament and is made up of around 28 staff. We offer a structured career path and a highly interesting and innovative IT project environment.
As an Entry Level Developer, you will work on a broad portfolio of projects delivering a dynamic, digitally enabled Parliament. Our Digital Services team is proud to have won an award for developing the bespoke digital voting application which enabled hybrid parliamentary business to continue during the pandemic. This enabled the transformation of the voting system for MSPs.
We work in an Agile DevOps environment and provide structured training and development. We offer our teams certification opportunities and will support you to develop your skills.
As an Entry Level Developer, you will:
- Contribute to the development, implementation and unit testing and support of software solutions and services.
- Actively collaborate with colleagues in response to developing services with a user-centric approach.
- Work collaboratively with architects, developers, and business analysts, making a positive contribution to the team.
- Help identify opportunities to improve on current working practices, and deliver effective and efficient business focused solutions.
We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a Minority Ethnic background and candidates with a disability. All appointments will be made on merit. We have a values-based culture of respect and inclusion embedded in our organisation, and everyone has the ability to make a difference.
We offer a great range of benefits including: 41.5 leave days (including public holidays), flexible working, paid professional subscriptions, family-friendly policies, Season Ticket advance loans, an onsite gym facility, Health and Wellbeing Schemes including discounted gym membership, a confidential counselling and information service, and the Cycle to Work Scheme. You’ll also have the opportunity to join the Alpha Civil Service pension scheme, where we’ll offer you an employer contribution of 28.97% of your basic salary. All new starts will be appointed to the first scale point of the grade for their role. For information on progression through the scale points, see our Pay and Reward Policy Statement.
Entry Level Developer employer: The Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the governance and accountability of Scotland's Parliament. With a commitment to equality and diversity, the SPCB fosters a collaborative work culture that values expertise and encourages professional growth, making it an ideal environment for individuals seeking meaningful engagement in public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Entry Level Developer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at The Scottish Parliament or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to The Scottish Parliament.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like The Scottish Parliament.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like The Scottish Parliament that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Entry Level Developer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at The Scottish Parliament.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at The Scottish Parliament and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Scottish Parliament
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If The Scottish Parliament uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
