Senior Statistical Support Analyst

Social Security Analysis & Insights is situated within Social Security Scotland, an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government which is based in Dundee and Glasgow. The Analysis and Insight team delivers analytical support to Social Security Scotland across three professional specialisms, Social Research, Operational Research and Statistics providing evidence, analysis and insights across devolved benefit delivery.

The Fraud and Error Operational Research Team, in which this post will be based, form part of a multidisciplinary team alongside the Fraud and Error Resolution Unit, utilising Social Security Scotland data for the detection of fraud & error trends. We use a range of analytical techniques to identify strategic issues and formulate effective solutions related to fraud detection and prevention.

In support of delivering the Counter Fraud IT Strategy, data analysis is crucial in detecting and preventing benefit fraud. The Fraud & Error Data Layer is a tool that allows Social Security Scotland to proactively identify and corroborate fraud & error.

Senior Statistical Support Analysts lead work to improve data capability and processes, conduct analysis and support the business in the use and interpretation of data.

This post is an exciting opportunity to lead work on building data infrastructures and processes, conduct analysis and support the business in the use and interpretation of data relating to fraud and error.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with analytical teams and wider stakeholders to capture technical data requirements and work with Data Services to develop data sources that meet these requirements. Provide support in accessing and interpreting relevant datasets.
• Use your expert technical abilities to clean, process and manage data for analysis. Use innovative approaches to improve processes in the production of data.
• Clearly communicate the messages from the data to a range of audiences including analytical and non-analytical colleagues, particularly in relation to data issues. Summarise and present data and conclusions in the most appropriate format for users by considering best practice in accessibility, data visualisation and dissemination.
• Identify opportunities to improve the coding used in analytical processes and contribute to the development of improvements to realise resource efficiencies.
• Manage and track data quality issues, including logging and escalating defects and following through to resolution.
• Perform quality assurance checks and validation process on new and existing datasets to identify anomalies, missing values and consistencies.
• Success Profile
• We use an assessment framework called “Success Profiles” which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about how we assess the Success Profile elements.
• Essential Experience:
• Experience of gathering and understanding technical requirements and working with colleagues to build suitable technical solutions and sharing analytical insight with stakeholders with various levels of analytical expertise and at all levels of seniority.

Behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace - Level 3
• Managing a Quality Service - Level 3
• You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot
• Technical skills:
• Ability to use different data tools to transform, analyse and visualise data sets, for example Spreadsheets/ Excel, R, Tableau, Power BI or other statistical software.

How to Apply
Apply online, you must provide a CV and a Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words). Your CV and Supporting Statement should clearly demonstrate how you meet the Experience, Behaviours and Technical Skills required for the role as outlined in the Success Profile above. Be sure to provide specific examples of work that you’ve done that showcase your relevant experience.

In the event that we receive a high volume of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the CV and Supporting Statement based on the Essential Experience criteria. Candidates who successfully pass this initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.

Candidates who are successful at sift stage will be invited to attend an Interview and Assessment. The interview will further assess the Experience, Behaviours and Technical Skills listed in the job advert and the Technical Assessment will evaluate the technical skills relevant to the role.

Candidates who pass the sift and are invited to the Interview and Assessment stage will receive full details of the skills to be assessed and the assessment methods to be used.

We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.

Expected Timeline (subject to change)
Sift - w/c 18th August 2025
Interview – w/c 1st September 2025
Location – Microsoft Teams

Reserve List
In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months.

About Us
Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve.  Find more about us here.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Working Pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location, which will be either Glasgow or Dundee.  If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Equality Statement
Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer support and  recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further Information
This post requires the successful candidate to clear additional National Security Vetting clearance before a start date can be offered. Further information regarding National Security Vetting clearance can be found here: United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

Social Security Scotland’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission (independent.gov.uk)

If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting Social Security Scotland at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Apply before 23:55 Tuesday 19th August 2025.