Data Analytics Officer

Are you a data analyst with a keen eye for detail? If so, we can offer you the chance to contribute to the development of a data-driven organisation at Audit Scotland. You will help to create a better Scotland through improving how we conduct financial, performance and Best Value audit work and our wider engagement with public services.

Overall purpose of the role

The Data Analytics Officer will support the delivery of high quality, bespoke data analysis products to support Audit Scotland’s business groups.

Audit Scotland is transforming the use of digital technology in our audit processes to analyse and present data more effectively and in how we support our audit teams to deliver high quality audit. This contributes to our vision that public money is well spent to meet the needs of Scotland’s people.

Our Digital Audit Team works across the organisation to deliver the bespoke tools, analysis, support, and specialist skills that we need to support public audit in Scotland. We help deliver the resources that auditors use to question, explore, and communicate how public bodies are spending money and delivering their services across Scotland.

As part of the Digital Audit team, you will assist in the delivery of analysis products, and developing applications and tools to support auditors in delivering their work. This will involve working directly with a variety of audit and corporate staff to capture requirements, prototype solutions, and to research/evaluate new approaches across both financial audit, and performance audit.

You will report to the Senior Data Analyst (Performance Audit & Best Value). You will carry out development activities which include translating business requirements into data outputs such as dashboards, applications, visualisations, and models. You will work with others within the Digital Audit team and wider Innovation & Quality business group to improve the audit process with data-driven insights, process automation, productivity gains, and better understanding.

What you will be doing

You will assist colleagues across I&Q in designing and developing data analytics tools, guidance, and training to support the delivery of our audit approaches.

Identifying and delivering new approaches and solutions

• Assisting in the delivery of data products and data-led processes which support auditors to execute our audit approaches efficiently, effectively and to a high level of quality. This includes supporting our move to a data-enabled audit approach, and identifying your own solutions as well.
• Supporting audit modernisation and the delivery of our AI Strategy, by contributing to the identification and prototyping of new tools and techniques within the context of our audit approaches and recognised auditing standards. In doing so, helping to ensure that tools are easy to use, and that appropriate support is in place.
• Working with colleagues in the business analysis process to add value: helping senior data analysts and managers with identifying stakeholders, translating requirements, and finding pragmatic solutions.
• Working toward the implementation of efficient, robust, and modular code solutions, with a focus on maintainability and testing, continually developing your skills under supervision.
• Establishing and maintaining effective and collaborative working relationships with the data analytics teams in other UK audit agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Participating in an innovative and supportive culture where team members and auditors are empowered to try, and challenge new ideas respectfully.
• Supporting the development and delivery of digital audit activity across business groups.

Building data products and solutions 

• Assisting in the delivery of data solutions to fulfil audit needs, including both new and existing tools and helping to develop, deliver, and explain ad-hoc data science projects.
• Contributing to the implementation of modern software engineering techniques to ensure that data analysis products are robust, with mentoring and assistance from colleagues.
• Identifying and suggesting improvements to how we acquire, import, store, manage, and use datasets for audit purposes. 
• Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, including audit teams and the Digital Services Team to research and understand our future requirements and deliver data products and supporting guidance that complement existing activities and approaches.

Ensuring service delivery and continuity 

• Responding to technical queries promptly

Building a data-literate organisation

• Working with our internal digital and data interest groups, including Champions networks, to disseminate, support, and encourage data-literate solutions.
• Establishing and developing productive professional relationships with colleagues in I&Q other business groups and with external stakeholders, including other audit agencies and proactively using stakeholder networks to add value to our work and reputation.
• Providing technical information and application demonstrations internally and externally as required.

Developing yourself professionally

• Keeping your skills up to date, and communicating industry developments and their relevance to Audit Scotland to colleagues at all levels in the organisation
• Working within the DA team and with managers across I&Q to deliver an inclusive, collaborative, supportive, innovative, and respectful team culture.

Knowledge and experience

You will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Knowledge of R, R Shiny, other relevant data analysis languages and frameworks Python, SQL, Power Query or similar)
• Experience of designing, building, and testing data products.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to present complex solutions in a clear and understandable manner.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders.
• Enthusiasm about learning - being comfortable and positive about receiving constructive advice and feedback.
• The ability to work co-operatively as part of a team as well as taking personal responsibility for carrying out objectives.
• The ability to bring a consistent approach and high levels of dedication whilst work both in the office and remotely from home.
• IT literacy, with have knowledge of typical office applications such as MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, or similar software.
• Strategic and creative thinking, identifying and suggesting solutions to demanding technical problems in a pragmatic way.

Person specification - specific knowledge and experience 

Essential:

• You are data literate, and have developed research and analysis skills, including experience of using data analysis tools (either code based, interactive of otherwise). (S/I)
• You have good problem-solving skills that you can apply in a technical context (S/I)
• You are an effective verbal/written communicator, and can demonstrate numeracy. (S/I)
• You are capable of building and maintaining effective working relationships (S/I)

Desirable:

• You have experience communicating your findings in an engaging way using visualisations, BI tools, or other appropriate means. (I)
• You have qualification in data analytics, computing, statistics, or other relevant area, or you have previous work experience in these areas. As a guide, any qualifications may be at either degree level or between levels 8-11 on the SCQF scale. (S/I)
• You have awareness of the role of computer programming in data analysis, or alternatively, awareness of software development concepts, tools, and processes (gained from any language or context) (I)

*S = Shortlisting criteria I = Interview criteria A = Assessment / Exercise

Audit Scotland

Our vision is that public money is well spent to meet the needs of Scotland's people.

To achieve this, we support the Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission to provide clear, independent, and objective assurance on how effectively public money is being managed and spent. Our work covers about £57bn of public spending, almost 300 public sector accounts, and the services and projects that affect all people and communities in Scotland.

As well as what we do, how we do it is integral to delivering our vision and critical to our wellbeing and our organisational success. We put our organisational values of equality, independence, innovation, integrity, and respect at the heart of everything we do.

We employ around 340 staff in a wide variety of roles, working from our main offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and through a network of regional offices across Scotland.

There has never been a more interesting or important time to join us. We offer a rewarding place to work, a supportive and open culture and a wide range of professional development opportunities. Benefits include 42 days of annual leave including public holidays, an attractive local government pension scheme with 19.4% employer contributions, personal development allowances, and flexible working hours. We’ve also been named one of the top 25 workplaces in Scotland and the UK’s tenth best accountancy workplace in the 2023 Best Companies awards.

Diversity and Inclusion 

We value the unique perspective a diverse workforce brings to what we do. Therefore, we’re keen to increase representation in our workforce and support progression of minority ethnic groups. We are also a proud disability confident employer. 

Reasonable Adjustments

Audit Scotland’s recruitment process may include various stages and activities including application forms, online assessments, and interviews, to assess whether you meet the requirements of the role.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to providing inclusive and accessible recruitment where everyone is supported to perform at their best.

When applying for a job with Audit Scotland, you will be asked in the application form if you need an adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process. Please include the reason you require an adjustment and details of what adjustment/s might help.

Some examples of adjustments that have been given to candidates include changing the time, location or format of interviews and providing additional time in any assessments and interviews. This is not an exhaustive list, and we will consider any adjustments that you might need.

As part of our commitment to equality and diversity, our equality network groups would be delighted to offer an insight into Audit Scotland’s culture of inclusivity. If you consider yourself to have a visible or hidden disability and wish to hear more about life at Audit Scotland or wish to speak with someone about the possibility of any adjustments, please contact Careers@audit-scotland.gov.uk or call 0131 625 1500 for further information and a member of the HR team will be in touch.

How we work 

We employ around 340 staff in a wide variety of roles. They work flexibly at home and in the office as well as from audit sites across Scotland. This isn’t your typical work from home or work from office type job. We’re flexible about working patterns and we’ve transformed how we deliver high-quality public audit. We support you to work in the ways that achieve the best results for you, your team and the business, including your physical location and how you manage your hours. Put simply, we trust you to do your job, and want you to have the ability to have a rewarding work-life balance and best support your individual circumstances, be that childcare, adult carer responsibilities or managing disabilities.  

We welcome applications from across the UK. Some travel to our offices or client sites will be necessary at times, but you don’t need to live in Scotland to work for us. 

Other conditions 

Audit Scotland is committed to ensuring that: 

• We minimise our impact on the environment in accordance with Government policy affecting public sector organisations.
• We uphold the principles of equality, fairness & diversity.
• We all work within a safe environment and adhere to good standards of health & safety.
• All information is protected and managed appropriately.
• We maintain independence and political neutrality.