C2 Head of Statistics - Social Security Scotland

The Head of Statistics for Social Security Scotland leads the organisation's statistical function and provides professional leadership for statisticians across Analysis and Insights Unit in Social Security Scotland. Working in partnership with Branch Heads for Fiscal Analysis and Disability and Carers Statistics, the role is responsible for the strategic direction and delivery of official statistics, management information and analytical data development. This role enables effective operational delivery, corporate performance management and public accountability for Social Security Scotland.            

Responsibilities 

• Act as Head of the Statistics Profession for Social Security Scotland, providing professional leadership, ensuring compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics and aligning with the Scottish Government statistics group’s strategic priorities for improving statistics.
   
• Using a knowledge of Social Security operations, policy and analysis, and a network of users and other stakeholders, lead the annual published Statistics Plan for Social Security Scotland, including the management of resources.
   
• Provide clear direction and motivation for teams with a strong focus on continuous improvement and good statistical practice to maintain a culture of quality, transparency and reproducibility across Statistics teams in Social Security Scotland.
   
• Provide professional development for statisticians in Social Security Scotland, ensure that professional standards are met and that learning opportunities for statisticians and statistical support staff are supported.    
   
• Oversee the creation of a compelling evidence-based story across multiple teams that challenges and influences important decisions, ensuring that statistics are communicated effectively and not misused. Lead the use of secondary data analysis, advanced analytical techniques, data visualisation and business intelligence tools for statistics to support dissemination and decision-making.
   
• Lead the production, publication and continuous development of Equalities Statistics, Low Income Benefits Statistics, Winter Heating Payments Statistics and management information for telephony services, responding to emerging evidence needs and public interest.
   
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of operational and corporate performance reporting, including Balanced Scorecard and Performance Pack for senior leaders.
   
• Work collaboratively with statisticians responsible for Fraud and Error Statistics and Disability and Carers Statistics to ensure coherence, quality and consistency across Social Security Scotland statistical outputs.  
   
• Lead analytical data development working in partnership with Data Service, Scottish Government and Department for Work and Pensions on data sharing and linkage, data governance, data storage and improving data quality.

Qualifications

A minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate degree or a master’s degree or PhD. 

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.

Success Profiles 

We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about the framework here.

For this post, the following Success Profile elements will be assessed: 
 

Experience:

• Experience of providing direction and creating an empowering culture, including communicating a clear vision and leading people at all levels towards it.

• Ability to effectively use planning and organisational skills to have strategic oversight of a programme of work.

• Using professional statistical and data expertise to lead on a programme of high-quality analytical work meeting good statistical practices.

• Experience with promoting analysis across Government and Agencies in line with cross-cutting priorities, ensuring it has impact and meets the needs of a range of users.
   

Behaviours:

• Seeing the Big Picture – Level 4 

• Making Effective Decisions – Level 4 

• Leadership – Level 4

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here.  
 

Technical / Professional Skills :

You will demonstrate the following skills within the GSG framework. 

1. Acquiring data and understanding customer needs – Grade 6

2. Data Analysis – Grade 6 

3. Presenting and disseminating data effectively – Grade 6  

How to Apply 
Apply online, you must provide a CV and a Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the Success Profiles above. Your CV and Supporting Statement should clearly demonstrate how you meet the qualification element (Government Statistics Group member details or qualification information) and the experience 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. 

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 only the Experience criteria will be assessed at sift. 

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

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 – week commencing 16th November 2026 
Interview – week commencing 23rd or 30th November 2026
Location – Online via MS 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, Dundee or Edinburgh (Victoria Quay) offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location, which will be either Glasgow, Dundee or Edinburgh. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. 

Equality Statment 
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 [email protected].

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

Further Information 
This role is only available to those currently employed (on a permanent basis) by Social Security Scotland, Scottish Government Main or Common Citizenship organisations.

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.  

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via [email protected].     

Apply before 23:55 on 16th November 2026

Contact Name  - Helen Fogarty

Contact e-Mail -  [email protected]