Senior Data Analyst (Census)

Do you want to shape the delivery of Scotland’s Census, enabling governments and other public bodies to plan the services we all rely on, and telling the story of Scotland’s people for generations to come? If so, this post could be for you.

We are the trusted producer of Scotland’s population statistics, including taking the Census of Scotland’s population every 10 years. The next Census is in 2031 and will be delivered in partnership with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Northern Ireland Statistics & Research

Agency (NISRA). This is one of the largest digital programmes delivered in Scotland, gathering data from every household across a population of c.5.7m.

NRS requires a Senior Data Analyst, the role is being offered on a Fixed Term Appointment (Fair and Open) basis for 2 years to support the delivery of Census 2031 by leading the design and implementation of data models and analytical structures, working closely with data architecture to shape how census and administrative data is structured, integrated and used.

You should note that Scotland’s Census 2031 is a time limited project and as such the position is being offered on a Fixed Term (fair and open basis). Please contact the line manager named in this advert if you have any further questions.

The candidate will take a hands-on role in developing and delivering census data models, ensuring that data is structured in a way that supports high-quality statistical outputs, operational delivery, and integration with administrative data sources. This role combines advanced analytical expertise with practical delivery, focusing on building and implementing robust data models and transformation logic., * Design, build and maintain data models and analytical structures for Census and population data

• Translate data architecture designs into implementable data models and transformation pipelines
• Define and apply standards for structuring, transforming and quality-assuring census data
• Develop schema designs that enable efficient querying and analysis of large-scale demographic datasets
• Deliver data integration and linkage with administrative data sources, supporting consistency and comparability
• Implement estimation, aggregation and geographic data structures to support statistical outputs
• Document data models, metadata and transformation processes to ensure transparency and reproducibility, We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Applying statistical and analytical tools and techniques - Practitioner
• Data management - Practitioner
• Data visualisation - Practitioner
• Managing a data project - Practitioner, * UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

• Applying statistical and analytical tools and techniques - Practitioner
• Data management - Practitioner
• Data visualisation - Practitioner
• Managing a data project - Practitioner, * Significant experience in data analysis or statistics, ideally within government or large-scale data environments
• Advanced proficiency in statistical programming (R or Python) and SQL
• Experience working with large, complex datasets (e.g., census, survey, administrative data)
• Proven ability to lead analytical projects and influence senior stakeholders

Behaviours:

• Changing and Improving - Level 3
• Delivering at pace - Level 3, Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

£49,401 - £59,152 A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% GBP, Alongside your salary of £49,401, Scottish Government contributes £14,311 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides .

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%