Senior Analyst - Justice Sector

Job Purpose

SPS is committed to putting the people who live and work in Scotland’s prisons at the heart of outcomes focused and evidence-based design, delivery and improvement of services. SPS’s corporate Data and Analysis team is at the forefront of this commitment, supporting development and delivery of the SPS Improvement Framework, and helping SPS to meet its obligations as an effective prison service, as an Executive Agency of Scottish Government, and as a public body.

The Jobholder will sit within SPS’s small Data and Analysis team (reporting to the Head of D&A) and will directly support cross-sector partnerships with other justice organisations and the internal Information Governance team, to support data sharing, whole system analysis, and data improvement work.

Acting as a single point of contact for all data sharing, they will contribute to developing existing partnerships, scoping new partnerships, and building our understanding of the data held by SPS through a process of data documentation.

Responsibilities Liaison with Justice Analytical Services to further develop data sharing arrangements and methodologies, including the evolution of processes supporting : the production of the Official Statistics covering the prison population in Scotland; the development of longer term modelling and projections for the prison population in Scotland; and, data linkage more widely in support of administrative data research via the National Safe Haven research environment. Support on progression of data sharing protocols and development of data storage solutions for information from health and social care partners, to contribute to service improvement as part of the FAI taskforce. Outreach and consultation with justice sector partners - including the CJB - to scope and interpret data-related asks to support the development of a CJ system-wide data platform / dashboard presenting information and intelligence to enable evidence-based decision-making around strategic or tactical opportunities. Liaison with Information Management teams - within and beyond SPS - to safeguard data security and ensure compliance with data sharing legislation. Support Management Information assurance and improvement across SPS, with contributions to data quality and documentation efforts as part of SPS’s data strategy project. Drafting of reports and / or responses to Ministerial Correspondence, Parliamentary Questions, Freedom of Information requests and any other official correspondence relating to MI or Analysis for approval of the Head of Function. Person Specification SPS recruitment and selection practice is based on the fundamentals of our Competencies for Success Framework. This identifies behaviours and standards required both of applicants seeking to join us, and our staff in their respective roles. Assessment of specific behaviours, of which there are eight, will be determined by the role you are applying for. Whilst it is unlikely you will be assessed on all of them, you will be assessed on those identified as key to role. Qualification Requirements The post holder should be educated to Higher (or equivalent level) or have significant relevant experience of data analysis in support of business improvement. ESSENTIAL A specialist qualification in data analysis, statistics, modelling or related disciplines. DESIRABLE Knowledge, Skills and Experience Requirements Data Management : Able to demonstrate a strong understanding of data documentation and governance, and how it supports data quality assurance and analytical rigour. The post holder should be able to communicate around these issues effectively, to technical and non-technical stakeholders within and outwith SPS.  ESSENTIAL Critical Analysis & Report Writing : Experience of collating and analysing complex information into high quality and balanced products / reports, identifying and effectively communicating trends and patterns to facilitate evidence-based decision-making. ESSENTIAL Designing New Approaches to Data & Analysis : Experience of designing, developing and implementing data processes, products and / or metrics to generate new insights and support evidence-based decision-making. The post holder should be able to convene and lead strategic discussions with justice sector partners to identify and deliver creative solutions to complex and long-standing problems. ESSENTIAL Behaviour Requirements Solve Problems & Make Decisions Relationships & Collaboration Plan & Organise Change & Improve Selection method 1 Presentation Selection method 2 Interview