The Scottish Government

Pensions Officer - B1

The Scottish Government  •  Galashiels, GB (Hybrid)  •  1 day ago
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Job Description

This opportunity is only open to internal Scottish Government applicants who are currently 'Priority Movers'. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.

Are you looking for an opportunity to apply your pensions expert with a background in technical management?

The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) administers pensions for Scottish Teachers, Police, Firefighters' and National Health Service employees on behalf of the Scottish Government.

We're responsible for protecting the financial futures of over half a million people , that’s around 1 in 10 people in Scotland.

If you’re looking for meaningful work, a supportive environment and a career with purpose, you’ll find it at the SPPA.

Our office is based in Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders, the train station is a short two minute walk away and offers regular services to and from Edinburgh Waverley, making it a convenient and well connected location for commuters.

The surrounding area offers access to green space, walking routes and a strong sense of local community, supporting wellbeing both in and outside of work.

Our modern office building is designed to support flexible and collaborative working, with spaces for teamwork, quiet focus and hybrid working. Colleagues benefit from a comfortable, welcoming environment that reflects our commitment to wellbeing and inclusion.

As a Pensions Officer within our Technical Services team, you will support with the design, build, test and maintenance of complex Excel-based calculation tools that underpin critical Police, Fire, NHS and Teachers public sector pensions, data and payroll processes.

Working in a highly regulated environment, you will help ensure calculators are accurate, compliant, auditable, and version controlled. You will also contribute to an improvement roadmap, identifying innovative, automation-aligned solutions that will strengthen operational resilience.

You will work with various technical experts and operational stakeholders to gather requirements, translate them into clear specifications, and deliver compliant, auditable and user-friendly calculators.

Responsibilities

  • Build and enhance complex Excel-based calculation tools using robust spreadsheet engineering practices (clear inputs/outputs, validation, error handling, and maintainable formula structures).
  • Work closely with the specialist calculation lead, providing operational pensions expertise to support the ongoing development, refinement and compliance/assurance of excel-based user-friendly calculation tools.
  • Identify opportunities to streamline and automate administrative processes through calculator development.
  • Develop, execute and document appropriate testing, maintaining clear evidence of logic, assumptions, changes and outcomes to support quality assurance and audit readiness.
  • Investigate issues raised by users, diagnose root causes, implement controlled fixes, and communicate impacts and mitigations clearly.
  • Support structured release management so only approved, accurate versions of calculators are deployed and used
  • Work closely with operational colleagues and Technical Services peers to translate requirements into usable calculation tools and to explain technical decisions in plain language.
  • Contributes to an improvement roadmap, recommending standardisation and control enhancements to strengthen reliability and user experience.

Working pattern

This role is a permanent level transfer position.

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive B1 employees.

Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words).

Selection Process

All candidates will be invited to an informal discussion with the Hiring Manager.

Informal discussion dates tbc.

Further Information

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact Allison.Ferguson@gov.scot

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

The Scottish Government

About The Scottish Government

The devolved government for Scotland is responsible for matters that are devolved from Westminster. Areas of responsibility include the economy, health, education, justice, rural affairs, environment, and transport.

Industry
Government & Public Safety
Company Size
5,001-10,000 employees
Headquarters
Edinburgh, GB
Year Founded
Unknown
Website
gov.scot
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