Principal Geospatial Data Analyst

Scottish Government; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Scotland is seeking a Data Analyst focused on geospatial analysis. The role involves leading high-profile analysis projects that inform policy development, collaborating with senior officials, and transforming complex spatial data into strategic insights. Ideal candidates will have experience in leading geospatial data projects and a deep understanding of the industry's best practices. This position offers a dynamic environment with opportunities to impact sustainable development in Scotland.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

DDAT pay supplement of £5,000 annually

Employee benefits including career development

Qualifications

• Experience representing data perspectives in challenging meetings.
• Led geospatial projects with quality digital services.
• Expertise in geospatial data management.
• Active involvement in the geospatial community.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of geospatial analysis for planning.
• Translate spatial data into actionable policy insights.
• Manage data quality and visualisation projects.
• Guide strategic meetings related to data analysis.

Skills

Data Analytics

Data Visualization

Microsoft Access

SQL

Power BI

R

Data Management

Tableau

Data Mining

SAS

Job description

Are you passionate about using geospatial data to drive innovation and improve outcomes across Scotland.

The Geographic Information Science and Analysis Team (GI‑SAT) sits within the Data Division of the Digital Directorate. Our vision is a planning system that uses data insights and analytics to learn from the past and models the future to support evidence‑based policy development and outcomes ensuring that the planning system becomes an enabler of sustainable development supporting our net zero interests and bringing people together to deliver great places.

GI‑SAT forms part of the corporate GIS specialism within the Scottish Government providing a dedicated geospatial information support service and robust analytical evidence to support all policy areas within the Scottish Government and the wider Scottish public sector. The team also manages the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement (PSGA) on behalf of all Scottish public sector organisations and drives the use of corporate geospatial data analysis and software ensuring it effectively supports collaboration and strategic decision‑making across the organisation and its partners in the wider Scottish public sector.

This role is specifically tasked with providing analytical support to the Planning Architecture and Regeneration Division.

Responsibilities

• Leads the design and delivery of high‑profile geospatial analysis to support planning policy working closely with senior officials and providing direct analytical advice to ministers.
• Acts as the principal geospatial advisor for planning policy translating complex spatial data into actionable insights and ensuring alignment with strategic policy objectives and key data processes within the Scottish planning system.
• Leads strategic‑level meetings and workshops related to data analysis matters.
• Produces written and verbal thought leadership output on data analysis matters.
• Represents the data analysis function in management meetings with technical and non‑technical colleagues.
• Is actively involved in the wider data community within the organisation and influences/works with their peers to co‑develop best practice.
• Leads data quality management, data linkage, data visualisation and a portfolio of data analysis projects and allocates and develops resources as necessary.
• Applies their IT and mathematical expertise to ideate and advise on new data analysis methodologies and tooling.
• Can foresee areas that can generate data issues and proactively develops problem‑solving capabilities.

Success Profile

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of experience skills and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

Experience

• Lead Criteria 1: You have represented the strategic data and analytics perspective in challenging meetings with senior stakeholders and decision makers (e.g. Ministers) enabling holistic decision‑making incorporating data and analytics impacts within a Scottish planning context.
• Lead Criteria 2: You have led geospatial planning data related projects according to agreed requirements and standards for the delivery of quality digital services using both specialist geospatial software such as ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro as well as programming languages like R or Python.
• You have expertise in the broader field of geospatial data management in order to be able to set up a function delivering data & analytics services to the organisation.
• You have active involvement in the wider geospatial planning data community influencing and developing others in order to co‑develop best practice.

Experience is assessed at sift along with a more in‑depth assessment at interview.

Technical Skills

This role is aligned to the Data Analyst job role within the Data job family.

You can find out more about the skills required here: Data analyst - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework.

These skills are assessed by technical assessment designed to represent the role. Candidates reaching this stage will receive a Technical Assessment Candidate Pack which outlines the specific skills to be assessed plus the method of assessment.

Behaviours

• Delivering at Pace (Level 4)
• Making Effective Decisions (Level 4)

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here.

Behaviours are assessed at interview. Full details will be shared in advance with all candidates invited to this stage.

How to apply

Apply online providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet each of the 4 Experience criteria listed in the Success Profile above.

If a large number of applications are received an initial sift will be conducted on the Lead Criteria highlighted above. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.

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.

If invited for further assessment this will consist of an interview and DDaT Technical assessment where the behaviours, experiences and technical skills outlined in the Success Profile will be assessed.

Interviews and DDaT Technical assessments are scheduled for w/c 5th January 2026 however these may be subject to change.

Qualifications

About us

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service 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.

Working pattern

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. We offer flexible working including full-time, part-time, flexitime and compressed hours depending on the needs of the role.

From October 2025 the Scottish Government will require staff in hybrid-compatible roles to work in-person 40% of the time either in an office or other agreed work location.

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.

DDaT Pay Supplement

This post is part of the Scottish Government Digital Data and Technology (DDAT) profession as a member of the profession you will join the professional development system. This post currently attracts a £5,000.00 annual DDAT pay supplement applicable after a 3-month competency qualifying period. The payment will be backdated to your start date in the role. Pay supplements are reviewed regularly and there is one currently underway. Changes will be communicated when the review is concluded.

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: 21st December 2025 (23:59)

Required Experience

Staff IC

Key Skills

Data Analytics, Microsoft Access, SQL, Power BI, R, Data Visualization, Tableau, Data Management, Data Mining, SAS, Data Analysis Skills, Analytics

Employment Type

Full‑Time

Experience

years

Vacancy

1