Principal Operational Research Analyst National Social Work Agency

Are you an experienced analyst looking for an opportunity where you can apply a variety of Operational Research techniques to help inform decision-makers

Government Operational Research Service (GORS) Principal Analysts working in the Scottish Government family (including the new National Social Work Agency) apply problem solving modelling and data analysis to real world challenges. They combine this with consultancy skills and formal techniques for stakeholder engagement and in so doing help government departments make evidence-based decisions that impact hundreds of thousands of people. They provide the strategic direction for setting planning and delivering quality assured and documented analytical work within their team at the direction of business area requirements.

The Scottish National Social Work Agency (NSWA) is an Executive Agency with responsibility for advising Ministers and policy teams with an interest in all aspects of social work policy and practice including adults children and justice social work. Additionally the Scottish NSWA provides cross governmental policy input in areas including health and social care mental health children and families prisons and all aspects of public protection.

This role is situated in the Professional Learning and Workforce Unit of the new Executive Agency in Scotland The National Social Work Agency. Reporting to the Unit Head the Principal Operational Researcher will lead the data research team with line management responsibility for one statistician. The teams focus will be to drive the delivery of a relevant data and evidence set to inform the National Chief Social Work Advisers annual report to Ministers regarding the state of the social work workforce and the state of social work services in Scotland. The team will work across the agency for this purpose providing relevant support to the Improvement and Implementation Unit and also the Strategic Policy Unit as well as working closely with colleagues in the Professional Learning and Workforce Unit (and relevant partners) on the development of tools and projects which provide reliable and robust workforce data.

A new Principal Operational Research Analyst post has opened in the Scottish NSWA.

Responsibilities

• Instilling professionalism and integrity in all aspects of analytical work.
• Delivering GORS best practice ensuring that work is appropriately quality assured.
• Convincing senior officials of the implications of analytical evidence in a wide context.
• Supporting GORS recruitment including induction of high-quality Operational Research professionals in the GORS community.
• Supporting progressive professional development including time to explore the newest techniques and technologies.
• Lead on providing analytical and statistical scrutiny to a wide range of activity across the NSWA supporting and advising NSWA colleagues on the analysis and use of data in their work.
• Take the lead on opportunities to source and analyse appropriate data sources relevant to the NSWA. This will require you to be aware of a wide range of external and internal data sources and bring their own ideas of what new analyses could support the Agencys objectives.

• Direct the production and development of a core data set/dashboard for the NSWA which can be used to demonstrate the issues affecting social work and which can evolve to support the Agencys objectives inform the

  National Chief Social Worker Adviser Annual Report and drive improvements across the sector.

• Lead on the development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the NSWA and an appropriate methodology for its corporate performance framework covering KPIs objectives and outcomes including the implementation of appropriate methodologies for gathering reliable performance information.
• Head up the production of the National Chief Social Work Advisers Annual Report on the state of social work services and the social work workforce using appropriate available data to inform its development and liaising with NSWA colleagues on its content.
• Contribute to leadership of the NSWA working with the Chief Social Work Adviser Deputy Chief Social Work Adviser and Senior Leadership Team to deliver the strategic priorities of the NSWA.

Initial Workplan for Operational Research Activity

• Develop dashboard of data to give overview of how social work services are performing/issues identified.
• Sourcing and working with available data from external bodies such as the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
• Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) and Local Authorities (LAs) to inform dashboard.
• Work with colleagues to identify data requirements for Chief Social Work Adviser Annual Report.
• Support for NSWA colleagues to interpret external data and reports re implications for social work.
• Aid workforce planning colleagues to interpret/source data and evidence on workforce planning.
• Assist education colleagues with analysis of student data in respect of future workforce numbers.
• Support for development of corporate KPIs for NSWA monitoring of progress.
• Provide evidence and data analysis informing improvement activity as it develops.
• Support for Professional Social Work Advisers (PSWAs) and the Improvement and Implementation Unit with evidence and data interpretation regarding social work trends and emerging issues
  

If you are not already a member of GOR

• you have or expect to have a 2:1 or higher degree or degree apprenticeship in a highly numerate degree subject
  or
• you have or expect to have a 2:2 or higher degree and a highly numerate postgraduate degree
  

We may request further information about the modules that form your undergraduate and postgraduate degree/s. If you require further information or have any questions regarding these requirements then please contact:

The NSWA is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government with responsibility for advising Scottish Ministers and policy teams with an interest in all aspects of social work policy and practice including adults children mental health and justice social work. Additionally the NSWA will provide cross governmental policy input in areas including health and social care mental health children and families prisons and all aspects of public protection. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.