Senior Quantitative Analyst (Nature Recovery)

Job Description

Details

Reference number

466579

Salary

£49,401 – £59,152

This is a permanent and pensionable appointment and new entrants will normally start on the minimum of the pay range.

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

Job grade

Other

B3

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Other

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

Edinburgh

About the job

Job summary

Environmental Standards Scotland’s (ESS) role is to monitor, investigate and secure public authorities’ compliance with environmental law in Scotland. We also scrutinise the effectiveness of environmental law and policy in Scotland and how it is implemented and applied. In our investigative and analytical reports, we may also identify instances where we consider there to be gaps in environmental protection legislation.

ESS is an independent non-ministerial office, accountable to the Scottish Parliament and overseen by a non-executive board. It is part of the Scottish Administration and its employees are civil servants. Full details are available on the ESS website.

Our Strategy 2026-2031 sets out how we will work as an organisation to deliver our vision that ‘by holding public authorities to account, we will ensure that Scotland’s people and nature benefit from a high-quality, healthy environment through improved compliance with and better implementation of effective environmental law’.

ESS’ role is expanding to take on two new roles:

• scrutinising the Scottish Government’s delivery against the new statutory biodiversity and nature restoration targets which will be set under the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026
• scrutinising local authorities’ reporting against climate change duties as set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009

To deliver these duties and to manage this significant organisational change, ESS will be recruiting new posts over the next twelve months to establish a new team within the organisation to lead the development of work to deliver these roles, alongside related corporate services requirements.

Job description

We are recruiting a Senior Quantitative Analyst to support the development of our new scrutiny function for the statutory biodiversity and nature restoration targets which will be set under the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026.

This post will be managed by the new Principal Scrutiny Officer (nature recovery) and will play a crucial role in development of a new area of work for ESS. Professional guidance and support will be provided by the Head of Data and Quantitative Analysis.

Key responsibilities include:

The post holder will support the new Principal Scrutiny Officer and the Head of Data and Quantitative Analysis by:

• developing our organisational understanding of proposed indicators and the data underpinning them for the biodiversity and nature restoration targets to be set under the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026
• support the new Principal Scrutiny Officer (Nature Recovery) to build effective relationships with analysts and statisticians in public authorities and NGOs within the new department’s remit, to ensure that ESS is abreast of, and able to access, the latest data and evidence
• undertake policy-facing statistical work, including ad hoc analysis and interpretation of Scottish environmental data, independent analysis of progress towards the biodiversity and nature restoration targets and preparing briefing for senior officials and the ESS’ Chair and Board
• work with the existing data team (C1 Head of Data and Quantitative Analysis and B3 Senior Analyst) to embed good analytical practices across the organisation, including strong processes for quality assurance, data management and intelligent transparency
• be an active advocate for ESS’ Voluntary Application of the Code of Practice for Statistics by guiding others in appropriate practices for preparing, managing and using data
• engage with stakeholders and share statistical and analytical techniques to increase understanding and trust in ESS’ scrutiny work
• identify opportunities to develop statistical insights and reports that support wider organisational objectives

Person specification

• excellent statistical and analytical skills. Experience in delivering high-quality quantitative analysis and ensuring that evidence is at the heart of decision making. This should include proven experience of:
  • acquiring appropriate data from a range of sources, quality assurance of data sources and analysis, appropriate data management, performing high quality analysis appropriate to the analytical task, and ensuring conclusions are trustworthy and credible
  • using statistical packages including R (or equivalent)
• excellent communications skills to align statistical analysis with policy needs. Ability to clearly present (including data visualisation) and explain the outcomes, strengths and limitations of data and analysis
• excellent networking and influencing skills with the ability to establish strong working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• excellent organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to work independently to deliver at pace, without sacrificing quality

Essential criteria

• excellent statistical and analytical skills. Delivery of high-quality quantitative analysis and ability to ensure that evidence is at the heart of decision making
• strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to work on projects independently or as part of a multi-disciplinary team, manage workloads and competing priorities and clearly identify policy needs.
• excellent communications skills to align statistical analysis with policy needs and clearly present (including data visualisation) and explain the outcomes, strengths and limitations of data and analysis
• ability to build strong relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders

Desirable criteria

• experience of working with environmental data
• experience and skills utilising scientific and data analysis to inform policy development and delivery

Qualifications/experience required

Applicants should either

• a degree or post-graduate qualification containing formal training on statistics or data, or
• have a minimum three years’ experience in a statistics or data-related field

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Understanding and interpretation of data (including data quality)
• Data analysis (e.g. descriptive statistics and regression)
• Presenting and disseminating data effectively (including data visualisation)
• Experience of using at least one data manipulation and analysis software (e.g. R, Python, QGIS or SAS)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £49,401, Environmental Standards Scotland 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 .

• A strong commitment to investing in your personal and professional development
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

ESS is an independent public body focused on ensuring Scotland achieves the highest environmental standards. We seek skilled individuals who have a passion for improving environmental standards through public service, who can work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

In return, we offer a competitive employment package including:

• enrolment in the civil service pension scheme
• a range of flexible working arrangements as well as flexitime to ensure a working pattern that meets both your needs as well as those of the organisation
• 25 days annual leave with an increase to 30 days after two years of reckonable service, plus 11.5 days of public and privilege holidays
• six months full pay for maternity, adoption or shared parental leave, five weeks full pay for paternity leave and paid leave for any antenatal appointments
• a range of paid special leave including leave for carers and bereavement leave
• a strong commitment to investing in the personal and professional development of all staff
• dedicated wellbeing support and services for all staff including access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• exceptional workplace adjustment support to remove barriers to enable staff to achieve their full potential

We are building a culture that encourages inclusion and diversity and we particularly encourage applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. We also offer access to a range of network groups to support equality, diversity and inclusion.

While this is not currently a Government Statistical Service badged post, the postholder will receive professional support and mentoring from a badged statistician and, where appropriate, will be supported to pursue badging through the Scottish Government badging board, subject to Scottish Government recruitment schedules and availability of badging opportunities.

The post allows flexible working and is open to full time or, by agreement, other working patterns including part-time, job share or compressed hours with a minimum requirement of 28 hours per week.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Please note, if you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum experience as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.

Stage 1: Short stage application form

Please complete the first stage short application form, which includes your personal details, eligibility to apply and any reasonable adjustments required.

Stage 2: Written application and sift

As part of the application process, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Behaviours – you will be asked to provide a 250-word statement on each of the following Behaviours:

• making effective decisions

Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (750 -word count). Your personal statement should explain why you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for this role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.

You should read each of the essential criteria, and think about a time, or an example, that can help demonstrate your knowledge/skills. Remember, this must be evidence based and your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion. Please read and understand the key criteria thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against.

ESS uses the Scottish Government Civil Service Success Profile framework which is made up of three elements: Behaviours, Experience and Technical. ESS strongly recommends you have a look at the Success Profiles candidate guide to enable you to make the best application possible. When writing behaviours at application stage or presenting behaviours in interview, ESS recommends you use the STAR format to present your answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Technical experience statement

You will be asked to provide a 250 -word statement on your experience in each of the following areas:

• understanding and interpretation of data (including data quality)
• data analysis (e.g. descriptive statistics and regression)
• presenting and disseminating data effectively (including data visualisation)
• experience of using at least one data manipulation and analysis software (e.g. R, Python, QGIS or SAS)

Sift

After the closing date, your application will be reviewed and marked.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Success Profile element, making effective decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The sift is expected to take place from 6 July 2026.

Once the sift has been completed, applicants will be notified of the outcome. Please note that feedback will not be given to applicants at sift stage.

Stage 3: Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• behaviours – making effective decisions, communicating and influencing, changing and improving, working together
• experience

You will also be required to do a technical assessment which will involve interpretation of data and presenting findings. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.

The interviews are expected to take place week commencing 10 August.

Preparing for the interview

The interview will take approximately one hour and 45 minutes and will consist of behaviour based questions. A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation offering a more inclusive approach. The behaviour based questioning explores what you, the candidate, can and have done, but also your potential.

Please note: you will receive the interview questions approximately 12 hours in advance of your interview.

Behaviours

You will be assessed against the behaviours mentioned above.

It may be helpful to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the STAR model to explain:

STAR – What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions?

If you withdraw your application at any stage, it will not be progressed further.

Stage 4: Offer

Once all interviews have been completed, you will be notified of the outcome by email. Offers will be made in strict merit order to the highest scoring candidate first.

The successful candidate will be notified of a start date following successful pre-employment checks, which can take a number of weeks to complete.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Location

The post is based at ESS’ Edinburgh Haymarket office called Thistle House. You should only apply for this role if you can travel to and from your home office location daily within a reasonable time. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. All appointments will be made in merit order.

Near Miss Appointments

On occasion candidates may attend an interview for the advertised post but will narrowly miss the standard required at interview. ESS may, where appropriate, consider such candidates for alternative, similar posts at a lower grade.

Salary

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

Minimum Time in Post

The successful candidates will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of two years and would not be expected to move to another civil service role unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

In the event that further posts are required, a reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for up to one year.

Further information for this job

If offered as a secondment/loan, existing Civil Servants should have received agreement from their line manager prior to commencing the application. The terms of the loan/secondment will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Any move to ESS from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band, unless already a civil servant on the same grade in which case the move will be at the same salary level.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 35 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 28 hours per week over a minimum of four days.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 20% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

ESS does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• 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

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Environmental Standards Scotland
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles and wish to make a complaint you should in the first instance contact [email protected]. If not satisfied with the response you receive from the CCC, you may bring your complaint to the Civil Service Commission who will consider complaints where the principle appointment on merit through fair and open competition, and recruitment princes have not been met. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints Apply now