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Principal Analyst - Population Insights
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Principal Analyst - Population Insights
Temporary (12 months) – Principal Analyst, Scottish Prison Service
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is currently managing unprecedented population pressures, with urgent initiatives being developed in response. This role focuses on supporting emergency resilience data requirements for Operation Anchor, requiring rapid analysis to inform joint working with justice partners while fulfilling critical reporting obligations for Scotland’s prison system.
Based within the Office of the Chief Executive, the Principal Analyst will work closely with the corporate Data & Analysis team to:
- Lead data assurance, analysis, and reporting for emergency initiatives
- Enhance analytical capacity to generate population insights and partnership working
- Oversee data integrity across legacy systems and evolving operational demands
Collaboration will be core to the role, involving:
- Engagement across SPS directorates
- Close coordination with Justice Partner agencies, including governance teams handling population responses
- Synergies with Justice Analytical Services (JAS) and SG Policy colleagues to support Ministerial decision-making and Parliamentary scrutiny
- Hybrid working arrangements available, based at SPS Headquarters (Edinburgh)
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What You Will Lead
- Data-driven decision-making for emergency initiatives and population pressure management
- Develop performance and benefits frameworks to evidence impact
- Lead joint analytical efforts between SPS and justice partners
- Line management of an Analyst, ensuring data accuracy, fitness-for-purpose reporting, and system integration
- Robust modelling support for high-stakes governance and scrutiny
What You Will Bring
Experience & Qualifications
- Professional qualification at degree level, or equivalent senior leadership experience with deep data analytics/business improvement roots
- Proven track record as a senior manager in an analytical or data-oriented role
- Ability to analyse complex qualitative and quantitative data sources, producing actionable insights
- Strong skills in translating technical findings for non-technical audiences
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Skills & Attributes
- Stakeholder management: Navigate cross-agency dynamics with sensitivity and efficacy
- Adaptability: Thriving in rapidly changing, data-intensive environments
- Collaboration: Embedded analytical partnership (SPS + justice sector)
What We Offer
- Health & Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, lifestyle health screenings
- Work-Life Balance: Flexible/hybrid working limits
- Development: Growth opportunities within a leading public sector organisation
- Benefits:
- 37 days’ annual leave (pro-rata)
- Generous Civil Service Pension
- Employee discount schemes and savings plans
Full details on SPS’s Careers page: Application Link
Closing date: 20 July 2026
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