Senior Business Analyst (Census 2031)

This post is open to existing B3 substantive staff applying as a level transfer.

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. Census data is used by government, local authorities, health boards, the third and private sectors to plan national and local services and informs the allocation of billions of pounds of UK and Scottish Government public funds each year .

We have an opportunity for a B3 to join the Census Programme on level transfer as a Senior Business Analyst, to support delivery of the programme.  

As a Senior Business Analyst in the National Records of Scotland Census Programme, you will support the design, development and delivery across a range of products and services working with a range of teams and stakeholders including delivery partners. You will help to undertake research and analysis to identify and elaborate on user and business needs to enable effective design, testing of services and business change whilst ensuring products and services meet those needs and are aligned with organisational goals.

You should note that Scotland’s Census is a time limited project which will run until 2031 depending on the role. Staff who are on permanent contracts will remain with NRS after this time whilst a new, suitable role is found. Please contact the line manager named in this advert if you have any further questions.

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead large areas of Business Analysis delivery, owning the challenge, defining and agreeing the scope of delivery for your role within a multidisciplinary team and driving through to successful conclusions
• Investigate Strategic and business needs and develop recommendations of service improvement and business solution
• Support in producing business and digital solution materials, e.g. using business and user requirements to produce technical specifications, or business benefit analysis in support of business cases
• Lead on communicating with stakeholders, clarifying needs and commitments through consultation and consideration of consequences while focusing on user and business needs
• Develop or apply communication strategies to build relationships, using informal and formal channels to engage with stakeholders at all levels and resolving conflict where required
• Identify and capitalise on improvement opportunities and identifying innovative ways to increase customer satisfaction through good user centred service design
• Have people management responsibilities and support mentoring across teams, as required
• Work with other digital professionals to investigate, and define operational needs, and identify potential options for enhanced outcomes
• Work in line with the applicable Government Digital and Data standards in the Scottish Government, including the Digital Scotland Service Standards and the Scottish Approach to Service.
• Supporting requirements gathering for procurement exercise, developing business cases
• Actively participates in the GDD Business Analysis practice events and mentors others.

Success Profile

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on.

Technical / Professional Skills

This role is aligned to the senior business analyst role within the GDD profession and the technical skills associated with it will all be tested at selection.

You can find out more about the skills required, here: Senior business analyst

Experience

1. Demonstrable experience of delivering business analysis across a range of digital projects, supporting the delivery of organisational visions and goals.
2. Experience of using a broad range of business analysis tools and techniques to solve problems in complex Digital initiatives.
3. Experience in developing and implementing stakeholder management techniques to engage stakeholders, build relationships and understand needs to resolve conflict where required.
4. Experience of working with a range of Digital professions with a multi-disciplinary team, to design and develop technical solutions to resolve business problems.

Behaviours

• Changing and Improving– Level 3

• Communicating and influencing– Level 3

• Delivering at Pace – Level 3

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)

How to apply

Applications are invited from eligible staff at B3 level for this vacancy details on eligibility can be found on Saltire . Applicants must discuss their intention to apply with their current line manager to help ensure early release and balance with current duties .

Please submit a CV and supporting statement (maximum 750 words) outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team. Please align this to how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above.

Applications will be reviewed by panel. Shortlisted candidates who are considered to have the skills and experience will be invited to an informal chat with the hiring manager and another panel member. The panel will recommend the candidate considered most suitable for the post.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

Please note that applicants new to the GDD profession will be required to complete a technical assessment as part of the selection process.

Assessments will be scheduled 7 days after the advert closes, however, this may be subject to change.

Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered

Skilled worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require skilled worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.

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. Census data is used by government, local authorities, health boards, the third and private sectors to plan national and local services and informs the allocation of billions of pounds of UK and Scottish Government public funds each year.

NRS is a Non-Ministerial Department of the Scottish Government & and our staff are part UK Civil Service , working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

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

This role is a permanent level transfer position. However, candidates should note that Scotland’s Census is a time limited project which will run until 2031 depending on the role. Staff who are on permanent contracts will remain with NRS after this time whilst a new, suitable role is found.

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week, and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Candidates should note that office attendance will be needed at points in particular for collaboration sessions but there is currently no fixed set days in addition there may be occasional travel to other UK agencies. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Security checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions). In addition to the standard pre-employment checks, this vacancy will also require all candidates to obtain National Security Vetting (NSV) at Security Check (SC) clearance level. This type of check normally includes meeting a minimum UK residency period, which for SC level is 5 years.

Further information about NSV checks can be found on the UK Government website - National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK

If you have any questions about this please contact our recruitment team.

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website , or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide .

Equality statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

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

Further information

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact ***email_hidden***

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.

Scotland’s Census is a time limited project which will run until 2031 depending on the role. Please contact the hiring manager if you have any further questions.