C2 Head of Social Security and Devolved Taxes

Job Title: Head of Social Security and Devolved Taxes Business Area / Directorate: Scottish Fiscal Commission Location: This post is based in Governor’s House, beside St Andrew’s House in central Edinburgh (EH1 3DE). Working Arrangement: Generally you can choose whether to work at Governor's House, from home or a mixture of both. You would be expected to attend the office in person for all-staff days, all-team days, monthly senior management meetings and specific training events. We expect all our staff to attend the office at least one day per week. Grade: C2 Advert Type: Temporary Promotion or Level Transfer Duration: 12 months Eligibility: Expressions of interest are invited from C-band colleagues. Overview Could you lead teams of brilliant analysts to deliver robust, accessible analytical work that upholds transparency, independence and trust in Scotland’s public finances? The Scottish Fiscal Commission is a small friendly organisation of 28 staff and three Commissioners. We produce the independent economic and fiscal forecasts that the Scottish Government uses to set its budget and we explain their impact on public funding in Scotland. We aim to improve the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament’s understanding of fiscal pressures and risks and our work makes the Scottish Budget more transparent and better scrutinised. We have an exciting opportunity for a 12 months’ cover while an existing C2 is temporarily covering the role of Chief Executive. You would gain experience in a high-profile senior leadership role in an independent organisation, communicating with a range of audiences and analytical expertise. The Commission is part of the SG Main grouping and you would be eligible to apply for other posts within SG Main at the end of the posting or if you are a member of the economist or statistics group you can return to a role with the analytical group at the end of the posting, you should discuss your return with the relevant Head of Profession at least 3 months before the end of the posting. You will lead and develop a team of 11 analysts to produce robust, accessible social security and devolved tax forecasts and reports. These are published twice each year, accompanying the Scottish Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). You will motivate and support staff during periods of intense work forecasting and follow robust project management. You can see our report from the latest Budget here . We are a small, nimble organisation and you will make a significant contribution to our leadership and performance. Working as part of the senior management team along with two other C2 analysts, our C2 head of corporate services and the Chief Executive, you will be involved in decision-making, business planning and risk management for a small public sector organisation and gain some experience of formal governance. You will work closely with our Commissioners, drawing on their expertise and involving your team in discussions with Commissioners. You will also manage a wide range of constructive relationships with our stakeholders. There will be opportunity for an extended handover, as the current post-holder will be moving to another C2 role in the Commission for the duration of this post. Key Responsibilities: Lead the social security and tax teams. Supporting individuals within the team to produce high quality work, provide professional support and champion analytical good practice. (note that the income tax forecasts are produced by the tax team but are overseen by another C2 using a matrix management approach) Demonstrate and promote a positive, inclusive and friendly culture in the teams you lead and more broadly within the Commission. Champion our values with staff and stakeholders. Line manage two C1 senior analysts, supporting them to plan the work of their teams to maximise use of resources. Manage team resources to prioritise work in areas of highest forecast risk and lead quality assurance processes, ensuring these are applied to all outputs. Oversee the production of social security and devolved taxes forecasts and reports for Scottish Government fiscal events, the analysis for the forecast evaluation report, and relevant analysis in support of other Commission outputs. Work with the analytical teams to provide Commissioners with information and analysis they need to make judgements for the forecasts. Ensure forecasts are clearly communicated in the Commission’s reports and other outputs so that stakeholders understand the main risks and judgements in the forecasts, as well as the implications for the Scottish Budget. Represent the Commission externally at parliamentary committees and events as required. Provide Commissioners with high quality briefing to support their communication of the forecasts. Build and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders, including Scottish Government officials, Social Security Scotland, SPICe, Audit Scotland, the Office for Budget Responsibility, academia and others as necessary. In particular during the forecast process, work with Scottish Government officials to make forecasting meetings productive and deal with any timetable challenges. As a member of the Commission’s Senior Management Team contribute to the strategic leadership, corporate planning and risk management of the Commission to fulfil our strategic objectives. Manage analytical staffing needs across the Commission in collaboration with the other C2 analysts, support the recruitment of high-quality analysts. Qualifications You should have a first or upper second class degree or postgraduate qualification in a numerate subject, for example: statistics, economics, actuarial science. Other qualifications or experience equivalent to these may also be acceptable; for example if you have a lower second class degree you should have at least 7 years work experience as a professional analyst such as an economist or statistician. If you are in any doubt please contact Claire Murdoch or Michael Davidson. You should be a current or previous member of either the Government Economic Service or the Government Statistical Service or have equivalent professional experience and current skills, including as an actuary or operational researcher. If you are in any doubt please contact Claire Murdoch or Michael Davidson. Proof of qualifications will be checked at the assessment stage. Success Profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on. Experience Experience of leading and delivering analytical projects or programmes of work and being responsible for the quality of their output. Experience communicating analytical work, articulating complex ideas and technical information clearly to non-technical audiences and developing productive relationships with stakeholders. Strong analytical experience, applying analytical techniques (ideally forecasting or projections) to solve real world problems. You should be a current or previous member of either the Government Economic Service or the Government Statistical Service or have equivalent professional experience and current skills, including as an actuary or operational researcher. If you are in any doubt please contact Claire Murdoch or Michael Davidson. Behaviours Seeing the big picture (Level 4) Leadership (Level 4) Delivering at pace (Level 4) Changing and Improving (Level 4) Working together (Level 4) You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot Working Pattern The post is a full-time role, but we welcome applications from staff with different working patterns and would consider adjusting duties if the top candidate does not work full time. Of the four senior management team members, three currently work part-time. During peak times in the weeks running up to publication of our reports, usually in December and May, flexibility to work in excess of standard hours is required. Any extra time worked usually is managed through our flexible working system but limited overtime may be available in certain circumstances. Further information Further information about this opportunity is available from [email protected] and [email protected] How to Apply: Please submit an Expression of Interest (maximum 750 words) outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team. Please align this to how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above. You must also confirm that that you have discussed the opportunity with your line manager and they would authorise your release within 4/6 weeks if your application is successful. Vacancy closes at 23:59 on Sunday 9 August. 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. For any questions relating to your expression of interest please contact Claire Murdoch or Michael Davidson. Selection Process The selection process will be short and light touch. There will be an initial sift based on the application form. C andidates who are considered to have the skills and experience will be invited to an interview with the recruiting manager and another panel member. The interview will cover the experience criteria and the behaviours Leadership and Delivering at Pace. The interviews will take place on Teams and q uestions for the interview will be provided 48 hours in advance. A reserve list will be held for 12 months. Interviews are scheduled for w/c 17 August, however this may be subject to change. Further Information Further information about this opportunity is available from Claire Murdoch who will be interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Fiscal Commission from October: [email protected] and Michael Davidson, the current post holder: [email protected] Recruitment Principles As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases. About us Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service observing the Civil Service Code and 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 about what we offer . As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules . 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 to diversity 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 Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. Apply before: Sunday 9 August (23:59)