Director for Statistics, Data Services & Census Delivery

Edinburgh - UK

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 2 days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Description

Are you ready to transform NRS data and statistical services shaping the future of Scotlands statistical production for generations to come

NRS is embarked on an ambitious transformation journey to modernise and reform its services. This is a new and exciting opportunity to play a key role in leading this change to ensure NRS services are sustainable in the long term. The post holder will lead the modernisation and reform of our statistical services and platforms deliver a suite of annual official statistics publications maximise the data assets and services NRS provides and deliver the 2031 Census.

The post holder will enable NRS to deliver Ministers aspirations for public service reform putting customer needs at the heart of our approach streamlining operations and ensuring services are cost effective and represent value for money.

The post holder will be a member of the NRS Executive Management Board working with the Chief Executive and other Directors to set the strategic direction of the organisation and will attend the NRS Strategic Board along with NRS Non-Executive Directors.

Responsibilities

Lead the Census of Scotlands population which takes place 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 and informing the future delivery of services and the allocation of billions of pounds of UK and Scottish Government public funds each year. You will collaborate with partners in ONS and NISRA to deliver Scotlands Census 2031 addressing risk and ensuring robust financial management of a programme budget of c.140m over the Census lifecycle.
Lead delivery of the wider statistical outputs of NRS across population statistics migration housing households homelessness births deaths adoptions life expectancy and vital events to shape public policy and debate ensuring adherence to Statistics Code of Practice and maintaining effective relationships with senior colleagues within the SG ONS and the Office for Statistical Regulation.
Oversee the development of a data strategy for the NRS to maximise its data assets and protect safeguard and ensure the security of the information held by the organisation.
Lead the modernisation of NRS statistical systems including moving from SAS to open source coding and re-platforming of the NHS Central Register wider collaborative efforts with partners like Research Data Scotland Scottish Longitudinal Study and other researchers to link data for public benefit.
Provide leadership for NRS corporately as a member of the NRS Executive Management Board and attendance at the NRS Strategic Board with Non-Executive Directors responsible for corporate decision making and setting the organisations strategic direction
Lead a Directorate of c.100 core staff rising to 250 staff over the lifecycle of the Census fostering a culture of inclusion learning continuous improvement and customer-focussed delivery ensuring teams have the capability and capacity to deliver taking responsibility for the continuous professional development of NRSs statistics profession. Line management of 5 C2s.

Success Profile

It is essential that you can provide evidence in your application of the professional experience and skills required for this addition candidates applying for roles with the government agencies and public bodies in Scotland are assessed in line with the Success Profiles framework that is used across the Civil Service. This means that as well as evidencing the specialist criteria you will also be expected to evidence the behaviours at the level required for this Senior Civil Service role.

Qualifications:

A minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate degree or a masters degree or PhD and applicants should either:

Be a member of the Government Statistics Group (GSG) or;

Demonstrate how their qualifications contain formal training on statistics or data or;

Have a minimum two years experience in a statistics or data related field.

Experience:

A strong track record of leadership at a senior level successfully driving business change in a customer-facing environment.
The ability to collaborate and engage effectively with a range of stakeholders and business interests to shape the development of strategy and the delivery of solutions.
Proven senior level experience of delivering services at scale and in a complex digital technical and financially challenged environment.

Behaviours: Level 5

Leadership (level 5)
Developing Self and Others (level 5)
Working Together (level 5)
Changing and Improving (level 5)
Managing a Quality Service (level 5)

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here:Success profiles: candidate guide -

Qualifications

How to apply

Apply online providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.

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.

If invited for further assessment this will consist of a psychometric assessment and a panel interview.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 23 February however this may be subject tochange.

Interviews are scheduled for w/c 9 March and willtake place in person inGeneral Register House 2 Princess Street Edinburgh EH1 3YY.

Interview panel:

Alison Byrne Chief Executive of NRS
Stephen Pathirana - Chief Executive of SPPA
Jen Woolford NRS Non-Executive Director and Director of Public Policy Analysis Office of National Statistics
Derek Steele HR Business Partner

About us

The National Records of Scotland is a Non-Ministerial Department of the Scottish Administration and part of the DG Strategy External Affairs and Culture portfolio. NRS is headed by a Chief Executive who also fulfils the roles of two statutory non-ministerial offices the Registrar General for Scotland and the Keeper of the Records for Scotland.

Our staff are part of theUK 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 aboutwhat we offer.

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

Location

NRS has 4 buildings all in Edinburgh and a further team located in Dumfries & Galloway.

Working pattern

Our standard hours at Senior Civil Service level are 37 hours per week. We follow the Scottish Government hybrid working policy and it is expected that the successful candidate will combine working from home with a presence in the workplace. We also offer flexible working arrangements.

Individuals on any working pattern can apply for any post. Job sharers are encouraged to apply. You can find guidance on applying for SCS roles as a job sharer whether you have a job share partner or nothere.

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).

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 todiversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

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

Read our Candidate Guidefor further information on our recruitment and application processes.

Please contact Alison Byrne for further information on the post

Required Experience:

Director

DescriptionAre you ready to transform NRS data and statistical services shaping the future of Scotlands statistical production for generations to comeNRS is embarked on an ambitious transformation journey to modernise and reform its services. This is a new and exciting opportunity to play a key role...