SGSSS-SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT INTERNSHIP SCHEME

PROJECTS STARTING APRIL 2017 ONWARDS

Application Deadline: 22 February 2017 at 5pm

The devolved Government for Scotland is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Scotland, including health, education, justice, rural affairs, and transport.

Government social science research - http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Research/About/Social-Research aims to provide high quality evidence and advice for Ministers and Scottish Government officials to inform policy development, implementation and evaluation. Social researchers in government help generate new ideas and open debate, challenge assumptions, beliefs and attitudes, test policy ideas and develop a deeper understanding of issues as they affect Scotland.

The core functions of researchers in government include:

the interpretation of evidence and the provision of research based advice engaging with the academic and wider research community to bring expert knowledge into

the policy making process commissioning external research projects undertaking research such as reviews of the existing evidence base disseminating research findings and encouraging their wider use

Social researchers work closely with other analysts in the Scottish Government, particularly statisticians and economists.

The Office of the Chief Researcher (OCR) in the Scottish Government is responsible for central co-ordination of the internship scheme. OCR also provides a strategic, corporate and professional support function across the Scottish Government.

FURTHER INFORMATION AND HOW TO APPLY

What is an Internship?

An internship is a non-salaried work placement. The SGSSS-Scottish Government Internship Competition gives current SGSSS students (all students registered for a PhD degree in Scotland, however funded) the opportunity to apply to undertake an internship within an external organisation.

Please note that these internships present opportunities to work outside the topic area of a student’s PhD to develop a range of transferable skills, enhance employability and provide the experience of working within a public sector organisation. Please do not apply if you are only seeking to have experience in your own PhD topic. You are better to organise your own internship in this case.

Working arrangements

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All internships are on a full-time working basis for three months (13 weeks). A monthly stipend equivalent to the ESRC standard maintenance stipend will be paid to students on internships.

All internships (including pool applications) will be based in core Scottish Government Directorates or their agencies and be based in Edinburgh or Glasgow unless indicated by the project. Please see the separate SGSSS document “Additional Information” which provides guidance on travel and accommodation reimbursement.

Successful applicants and their University supervisor will be asked to sign an agreement document prior to commencing their internship, covering administrative details such as procedures for annual leave, etc.

Eligibility

All SGSSS postgraduate students registered for a PhD who are, at the time of application, in full time study in a social science discipline (or part time but able to commit to full-time internship) , are invited to apply for the projects described below. Students may also apply for inclusion in a ‘pool’ if they wish to be considered for other unfilled advertised projects or others which may later arise in any area of the Scottish Government. Please note we cannot accept applications from non-social science students please check the SGSSS website for Pathway information which specifies the disciplines we cover. Students studying on health pathway can apply even if funded by MRC/CSO as health is one of our interdisciplinary pathways. http://www.socsciscotland.ac.uk

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the scheme and UKBA regulations, students on a Tier 4 visa are not eligible to apply for internships.

The Scottish Government prefers applicants to be in their second or third year of the PhD to apply due to the experience required to fulfil the internship opportunities. The internships will start no earlier than mid-April 2017 onwards. This scheme is open for all students notwithstanding how their PhD is funded, as long as other criteria are met, such as nationality and eligibility to work in the UK.

If successful all students will take an interruption of studies so that they are not eligible for fees during the internship. Research supervisors need to give permission for students to apply for these opportunities. Successful applicants will receive the equivalent of a standard ESRC maintenance stipend for the three months while on internship.

All provisionally selected candidates will be required to receive security clearance as a condition of taking up the Internship. This requires having a valid Disclosure Certificate. Obtaining a Disclosure Certificate can take several weeks. Successful candidates should apply for a certificate as soon as possible. The cost of a certificate can later be claimed back as part of Travel and Subsistence expenses.

In order to work for the civil service, including as part of an internship, an individual must meet nationality criteria set out in the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Detailed guidance is available on the Civil Service web pages at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesAll applicants must ensure that they can meet these criteria in order to be eligible to undertake internships with the Scottish Government.

How to apply

Applicants should submit an online application form available on the SGSSS website, which includes space for a statement of support from your principal supervisor, along with a two-page CV.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday, 22nd February 2017.

You should clearly indicate whether the application is for a specific project and/or for inclusion in the general pool.

Applicants are free to apply for all of the internships with the Scottish Government, in addition to the pool, to maximise their chances of obtaining an internship.

Although you can apply for more than one, candidates can only undertake one internship.

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Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their applications and areas of interest by telephone with the Scottish Government contact (listed under each internship) in advance of submitting their application. If there are questions about the scheme as a whole please contact Richard Kay (SG) or Janice Clark SGSSS (details below).

Students are encouraged to carefully consider the information requested in the application form and pay particular attention to setting out their expertise in particular research methods to address the desired skills listed. Applicants are often not required to have academic experience in the policy area of the internship unless specified in the project description. As stated above, SGSSS strongly encourages students to choose opportunities to work outside the area of their PhD topic in order to gain wider experience.

Selection process

Interns will be selected by the SGSSS on the basis of their written application. An informal telephone discussion with applicants may also be held before final allocation of internships. It can take some time to work with the Scottish Government hosts to place applicants so we may not be in touch for approximately 4 weeks after the deadline. Sometimes the SGSSS will inform you of the success of your application and sometimes the Scottish Government host will contact you to offer you a place or to seek further information from you. If you have not heard back from us within 6 weeks of the deadline then please contact Janice Clark on the email below.

Additional information

The Scottish Government Internship Scheme Manager is Rik Kay, Office of the Chief Researcher email E nquiries.SG-SGSSS.interns@gov.scot (0131-244-1624) and the SGSSS contact is Janice Clark, email internships@socsciscotland.ac.uk For more information about analytical services in the Scottish Government see:

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/About/Statistics-in-Scotland http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Research/About/Social-Research

For more information about Government Economic Service, Government Statistical Service and Government Social Research, see UK government websites:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-service-government-economic-service https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-service-government-statistical-service https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-service-government-social-research-profession

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Reporting Requirements

Once the internship has finished, students are required to submit to the SGSSS an End of Internship Report within 2 months of completing the internship; outlining the project in which they were involved and providing feedback on their experience of working in the Scottish Government. We also expect that interns are willing to take up opportunities to speak to other students about their experience e.g. at the SGSSS Summer School.

THE INTERNSHIPS

There are more than 25 advertised internship projects available, in addition to the ‘pool’. See table below.

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No. Host Area Project Title Project Contact Page No.1 Children & Families Child and Maternal Health – Family Nurse

PartnershipFranca MacLeod 6

2 Children & Families Child Protection Improvement Programme- Data and Evidence Review

Fiona McDiarmid 7

3 Children & Families Improving Local Use of Data in Children’s Services through Tableau

Harriet Waugh 9

4 Children & Families Looked after children – further development of longitudinal data

Ian Volante 10

5 Children & Families Social Services Research Support Gita Anand 116 Children & Families Social Services Research Support – Understanding

Service Quality and PerformanceGita Anand 13

7 Communities Lessons from behavioural economics for Social Security policy

Leila Akhoundova 15

8 Economic Development Scoping research into the economic, social & environmental impacts of the Collaborative Economy

Lorraine King 16

9 Education Advanced Learning and Skills Stuart King 1710 Health Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 – Designing a self-

assessment readiness tool for local implementation of the Act

Alix Rosenberg 18

11 Health Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs) Isla Wallace 20

12 Health Primary Care in Scotland (more than one internship may be available)

Fiona MacDonald 21

13 Health Public Service Reform: Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest - Case Study

Connie Smith 23

14 Justice Justice Analytical Services - Patterns of re-offending Mariken Schipper 2515 Justice Violence in the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey Ben Cavanagh 2616 Local Government Public Service Reform Jacqueline Rae 2717 Local Government Public Service Reform /ULab Scotland Keira Oliver 2818 Office of the Chief

EconomistEnergy Economics: Analytical Support Stephen Cox 30

19 Office of the Chief Researcher

Analysis of Understanding Society longitudinal survey data for Scotland

Gillian Cruickshank 31

20 Office of the Chief Social Policy Advisor

Inclusive Economic Growth in Scotland – Learning from Social Research Evidence

Carole Edwards 32

21 Rural Science and Analytical Unit

Implications of UK exit from the EU on Scotland’s rural economy

Neil Swanson 34

22 Strategy & Constitution Evaluating the outcomes of the post-specific promotion policy in the Scottish Government

Mariela Fordyce 35

23 Strategy & Constitution Strategy Unit Aileen McIntosh 3624 Strategy & Constitution Workforce planning evidence review Mariela Fordyce 3725 Scottish Prison Service Transformational Change within the Scottish Prison

ServiceJim Carnie 38

26 Scottish Sentencing Council

Public Perceptions of Youth Offending Andrew Bell 39

General Pool Internship Scheme Manager

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning and JusticeDirectorate: Learning DirectorateDivision/Team: Education Analytical Services, Children and Families Analysis

Internship 01: Child and Maternal Health – Family Nurse Partnership

Policy Context: The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a licensed evidence-based programme to improve outcomes for young first-time mothers and their children. The programme is a complex intervention, offering intensive, structured home visiting, delivered by a specially trained nurse from early pregnancy until the child’s second birthday. The programme aims to improve pregnancy outcomes, child health and development and parent’s economic self-sufficiency.

Initial policy efforts have focused implementing FNP Scotland-wide and embedding learning to achieve a high quality of implementation with fidelity to the licence. Work is now ongoing to tailor FNP to the Scottish context through a series of adaptations to develop and test a model for FNP which will retain a clear, evidence based structure and Achieve greater improvements for vulnerable families Be more flexible - personalised to the strengths and risks of individual clients and better

integrated with local service provision Expand the programme to eligible 20 - 24 year olds

Project details:The internship will focus on contributing to the FNP analytical programme of research and evaluation. The precise nature of the project will be determined but will involve detailed analysis of quantitative FNP performance data to answer specific research questions around current policy. The post holder will conduct a summary of existing evidence in the given area, carry out the analysis and communicate findings to a range of audience via briefings and written reports.

There may also be an opportunity to contribute to other areas in child and maternal health. This would likely be through producing evidence reviews or research and policy briefing papers to disseminate information.

The internship offers an opportunity to work within Children and Families Analysis Division, a small team of researchers, statisticians and economists. Based in Edinburgh, we are a friendly, supportive team, working Early Years, Child and Maternal Health, Children’s Rights and Wellbeing, Care and Justice and Social Work. This is a high profile, fast moving policy field responsible for improving the lives of children in Scotland. You'll be part of a wider analytical division, which works on school education and attainment.

Skills required: Knowledge and awareness of a range of different qualitative and quantitative research

methodologies, ability to interpret and critically appraise research and evidence Experience of analysing large scale quantitative data Experience in reviewing, summarising and synthesise evidence and research findings

accurately and at speed. Excellent communication skills. Ability to writing reports and briefings adopting a concise,

objective and clear style; good oral presentation skills. Some knowledge of child and maternal health is desirable but not essential.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Louise Scott (Justine Menzies)Enquiries to email: louise.scott@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 0756

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning and JusticeDirectorate: Children and FamiliesDivision/Team: Care and Protection

Internship 02: Child Protection Improvement Programme- Data and Evidence Review

Policy Context: On 25th February 2016, the Cabinet secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning announced to Parliament that the Scottish Government would undertake to produce a Child Protection Improvement Programme, comprised of a multi-strand review of the structural aspects of Scotland’s Child Protection System, Children’s Hearings, Leadership, the Joint Inspections regime and the national approach to child neglect policy. Recommendations are to be presented by the end of 2016.

One of the review strands is a Data and Evidence Review which scoped out the data landscape, both in terms of monitoring prevalence rates of child abuse at a national level as well as for monitoring progress and performance of the broader Child Protection system in Scotland. The review report provides recommendations for improvement going forward.

Project details:The specific project will focus on one of the improvement areas that the data and evidence review identifies. These have yet to be fully scoped out (the recommendation report is to be with Ministers in December 2016), however, it is likely to involve a systematic review and analysis of the known child protection evidence base to answer a key policy question around effective practice and interventions with children who are either at risk of abuse or a victim of abuse.

The systematic review will require the following steps to be implemented within the 3 month time period.

Collation (using Scottish Government library resource) and systematic thematic analysis of the known child protection evidence base building on a recent academic evidence review conducted by Edinburgh University for the NSPCC in 20151 and using a similar thematic approach

Analysing the selected texts to answer a key child protection policy question Writing up a 4 page research findings report Updating the Children and Families Analysis Unit’s evidence pages on Saltire

(Scottish Government intranet)

It is anticipated that the researcher will sit with the Policy team but will be managed by the the Children and Families Analysis Team.

Skills required:

Essential: Critical Analysis & Decision Making: Critically evaluates data and information with

accuracy and perception, and is able to synthesise and use data from a variety of different methods appropriately. Makes sound, evidence based decisions.

Communicating with Impact: Communicates written and oral information clearly, concisely and persuasively; communicates own viewpoint succinctly and defends it appropriately; facilitates discussions effectively to achieve clear outcomes.

1 https://www.nspcc.org.uk/services-and-resources/research-and-resources/2015/landscape-child-protection-research-united-kingdom/

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Desirable: Knowledge of the Child Protection and Children’s Outcomes evidence

landscape: knowledge and research around how to improve children and young people’s outcomes, risk factors, preventative factors and resilience factors that impact on children’s outcomes.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Fiona McDiarmidEnquiries to email: fiona.mcdiarmid@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 3508

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning and JusticeDirectorate: Directorate for Education Analytical ServicesDivision/Team: Children and Families Analysis

Internship 03: Improving Local Use of Data in Children’s Services through Tableau

Policy Context: Realigning Children’s Services is a programme of work between Community Planning Partnerships, Scottish Government and children and families which aims to achieve public services reform through improved joint strategic planning and commissioning of services through:

more robust use of data and evidence in service planning supporting all stages of the joint strategic commissioning cycle facilitating systems change towards prevention and early intervention focussing on both what to do and how to do it Building capacity and skill to enable and sustain change in outcomes for children

This is carried out through two main programme threads. The first is an Evidence programme which involves, amongst others, the collection and linkage of wellbeing survey data. The second component is a Development and Facilitation programme which looks to, in part, make use of this enhanced evidence base in relation to the commissioning of children’s services.

Thus far in the programme, three Community Planning Partnerships have taken part in Tranche 1 of RCS and a further two CPPs are taking part in Tranche 2.

Project details:The intern would be based primarily within Children and Families Analysis and also have contact with Policy members of the RCS team within the Looked After Children Unit along with members of staff at National Services Scotland.

This project is looking to create a data visualisation tool for Tranche 2 of Realigning Children’s Services as part of the aim of more robust use of data and evidence in service planning. The work would be based upon replicating and improving upon the existing Tableau data visualisation tool used for Tranche 1.

The intern would be responsible, through supervision, for meeting with Community Planning Partnership representatives to discuss their needs for the tool, liaising with National Services Scotland who host the tool and creating an updated version of the tool for Tranche 2. The main component of this project would be in the technical nature of taking the Tableau template for Tranche 1, making it fit for purpose for Tranche 2 and populating the template with the appropriate data. However, there is also scope for the intern to be included in future planning for the tool which would allow them to engage further with the real life applications of the tool.

The internship would benefit the successful applicant not only through applied use of a data visualisation tool which will be used in areas within Scotland but also through experience of working with multiple stakeholders and gaining an appreciation of how data can be used to inform planning and commissioning decisions within Community Planning Partnerships.

Skills required:Proficient in the use of SPSS and the secure handling of dataExperience of data visualisationExperience of Tableau or demonstration of the ability to quickly adopt the tool

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

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Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Harriet WaughEnquiries to email: Harriet.Waugh@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 242 0227

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning and JusticeDirectorate: Children and FamiliesDivision/Team: Children and Families Analysis

Internship 04: Looked after children – further development of longitudinal data

Policy Context:In late 2015, a policy strategy for looked after children (LAC) was released, and alongside it, the LAC Data Strategy. This described a gap in knowledge around: ‘What is a meaningful measure of permanence and how long does it take children to achieve this?’. Achieving permanence for looked after children is a high priority policy ambition and in light of the recently announced Care Review it is now essential that we improve the way we monitor and report on progress towards this ambition.

Project details:Initial work has already been done to investigate whether a useful permanence measure could be created from the existing data held on looked after children. Furthermore, a wider project has started to investigate the longitudinal dataset which will contain eight years’ worth of individual-level information on LAC.

The aim of the project will be to: Develop a measure or set of measures of permanence that can provide a reliable

baseline measure to monitor and track progress going forward Explore and assess how different groups of looked after children and young people

are using and experiencing the care system and provide a narrative of how it is evolving and the current trends.

Gain an understanding of previous work undertaken in this area so that recommendations can be developed for further analysis to extend and improve the data on permanence

Specific outputs can be discussed with the successful applicant.It is anticipated that the researcher will sit with the Children and Families Analysis Team.

Skills required:

Essential:

Statistical Skills: Experience of working with large datasets, and of basic statistical analysis.

Critical Analysis & Decision Making: Critically evaluates data and information with accuracy and perception, and is able to synthesise and use data from a variety of different methods appropriately. Makes sound, evidence based decisions.

Communicating with Impact: Communicates written and oral information clearly, concisely and persuasively; communicates own viewpoint succinctly and defends it appropriately; facilitates discussions effectively to achieve clear outcomes.

Desirable: Technical skills: Experience of using statistical packages such as SAS, R or SPSS. Knowledge of the Looked After Children’s evidence landscape: knowledge and

research around the care system in Scotland, and how.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Ian VolanteEnquiries to email: ian.volante@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 4883

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning and JusticeDirectorate: Children & FamiliesDivision/Team: Office of the Chief Social Work Adviser

Internship 05: Social Services Research Support

Policy Context:

Social Services in Scotland : a shared vision and strategy 2015-2010 was launched by the Social Work Services Strategic Forum in March 2015. It sets out a series of actions to strengthen the sector, focused on supporting its workforce, improving understanding of service quality and performance, developing and making effective use of the evidence base and promoting public understanding.

The Social Work Services Strategic Forum is a partnership forum of key stakeholders from across the social services sector. It is chaired by the Minister for Childcare and Early Years with members including Social Work Scotland, the Scottish Social Services Council, Cosla, the Care Inspectorate, Scottish Care, Coalition of Care Providers Scotland, Scottish Association of Social Work, SOLACE, UNISON, Iriss, a representative of the HEIs and relevant Scottish Government Directors and policy leads.

Most of the actions in the Strategy are underway and are monitored regularly by the Forum through its Implementation Plan. There are though a number of actions which have not yet commenced given a lack of staffing resources. This request is therefore for an intern to undertake one of the research/analytical focused actions.

Project details:The specific action we require progressing falls under the Improving Use of Evidence work strand within the Strategy and is relevant to two actions that include the following components:

‘i dentifying gaps in knowledge and developing resources for identifying and sharing evidence of what works’ .

‘maximise and co-ordinate the use of existing funding opportunities for research, identify newopportunities and promote and support collaborative applications.’

As part of the work to identify gaps in knowledge and to identify new opportunities for promoting collaborative applications, we wish to gain a clear understanding of current and recent research in social work and social services in Scotland and of the relevant funding priorities.

This work will provide valuable information to the Social Services Forum and will also offer the opportunity to liaise with the Social Work departments of Universities and lead researchers in the field in Scotland. There may also be the opportunity to present the findings to the Forum itself.

Approach:We anticipate the work will take place in three phases:

Desk research to review current and recent research activity, including use of research databases, relevant publications over the past 5 years and information on websites.

A series of interviews with leading academics in the field and with representatives of relevant research funding organisations to check initial findings and identify current and planned changes to priorities.

Report writing and presentation of findings. If appropriate and if time allows, the intern will be encouraged to develop an easy to understand, visually appealing way of presenting their main findings that is suitable for publication on our web pages.

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Skills Required:

Analysis/Use of Evidence Ability to identify salient points from research/databases and draw out sound, logical

inferences. Ability to critically evaluate data and information with accuracy and perception. Ability to design, use and analyse a suitable semi-structured approach for obtaining

evidence by interview (there will be assistance available from internal social researchers).

Communication Skills Clear written and oral communication that avoids unnecessary use of jargon and

technical terms and presents information clearly and logically.

Effective communication links with other analysts. Good listening skills for a flexible approach to obtaining evidence through interviews. Creative approach to presentation of information.

Timing:

The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Louise Scott/Gita AnandEnquiries to email: gita.anand@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 0313

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning and JusticeDirectorate: Children & FamiliesDivision/Team: C and F ASD Team and Office of the Chief Social Work Adviser

Internship 06: Social Services Research Support – Understanding Service Quality and Performance

Policy Context: Social Services in Scotland : a shared vision and strategy 2015-2010 was launched by the Social Work Services Strategic Forum in March 2015. It sets out a series of actions to strengthen the sector, focused on supporting its workforce, improving understanding of service quality and performance, developing and making effective use of the evidence base and promoting public understanding.

The Social Work Services Strategic Forum is a partnership forum of key stakeholders from across the social services sector. It is chaired by the Minister for Childcare and Early Years with members including Social Work Scotland, the Scottish Social Services Council, Cosla, the Care Inspectorate, Scottish Care, Coalition of Care Providers Scotland, Scottish Association of Social Work, SOLACE, UNISON, Iriss, a representative of the HEIs and relevant Scottish Government Directors and policy leads.

Most of the actions in the Strategy are underway and are monitored regularly by the Forum through its Implementation Plan. This request is therefore for an intern to undertake one of the research/analytical focused actions from the Strategy. This is a unique opportunity to be involved in undertaking research and analysis which will feed directly into the development of policy and delivery in this area.

Project details:The specific action we require progressing falls under the Understanding Service Quality and Performance workstrand within the Strategy:

“Work with relevant academic and other organisations to facilitate the exploitation and regular use of administrative (management) data to identify population needs and inform commissioning and service developments.”

The project will provide an opportunity to develop links and work with the Administrative Data Research Centre Scotland at Edinburgh University and potentially the wider Administrative Data Research Network to consider how the work on the theory, methods and policy of linking records for secondary uses could be made more use of in social services and in informing and supporting policy, delivery and understanding of performance.

This piece of work will provide valuable information to the Social Work Services Strategic Forum and will also offer the opportunity to work with key partners such as the Care Inspectorate and the Scottish Social Services Council as well as the Scottish Government. There may also be the opportunity to present the findings directly to the Forum and in other settings

Skills required:

Analysis/Use of Evidence Ability to identify salient points and trends from research/databases and draw out sound,

logical inferences. Ability to critically evaluate data and information with accuracy and perception.

Communication Skills Clear written and oral communication that avoids unnecessary use of jargon and

technical terms.

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Effective communication links with analysts and other stakeholders to provide appropriate collaborative support to the policy process.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant(s) and the 3 months could commence anytime between April and October 2017.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Louise Scott/Gita Anand.Enquiries to email: Gita.Anand@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 0313

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: COMMUNITIESDirectorate: Communities Analysis DivisionDivision/Team: Social Security Economics

Internship 07: Lessons from behavioural economics for Social Security policy

Policy Context: Scotland Act 2016 devolves 11 social security benefits to the Scottish Parliament, as well as powers to top up reserved benefits and create new ones. Scottish Ministers have made a number of commitments in relation to how the powers will be used and have set out the principles according to which will guide the policy decisions. These include treating social security is an investment in the people of Scotland, putting respect for the dignity of individuals first and ensuring that policies are evidence based and designed with the people of Scotland. The role of Social Security analysts is to support Ministers in providing robust evidence and analysis to deliver social security that meet the principles and outcomes set out in their vision.

Project details:The project will involve reviewing evidence within the behavioural economics field and setting out implications for social security policy. The exact project specification will be refined closer to the time and there will a degree of flexibility for the intern to shape the project depending on preliminary findings and the policy context and requirements of the time. As an example, however, the post holder may be asked to look at how various behavioural models and concepts can be used to improve benefit recipients’ satisfaction with the process of claiming, using choice architecture to achieve desired outcomes for social security, designing and naming benefits to nudge recipients towards certain consumption choices, increasing the take up of certain benefits and ensuring value for money by reducing error and fraud in the system. Depending on the priorities of the time, the post holder may be asked into one or two models in a great level of detail or provide a more general overview of concepts.

The post holder will be expected to deliver a written report on their findings and present these to an audience of social security policy officials and analysts.

The intern would be placed within the Social Security Economics team within the wider Communities Analysis Division.

Skills required:Understanding of and interest in behavioural economics and its applications.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Leila AkhoundovaEnquiries to email: Leila.Akhoundova@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 2444721

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Enterprise, Environment and InnovationDirectorate: Directorate for Economic DevelopmentDivision/Team: Consumer and Competition Policy

Internship 08: Scoping research into the economic, social & environmental impacts of the Collaborative Economy

Policy Context: The Consumer and Competition Policy Unit was established in 2015 in anticipation of our newly devolved consumer and competition powers. It sits within the Directorate for Economic Development and progresses policy development, expertise and analytical capacity in these areas. In June 2016, it published “Ensuring that Markets Work Well for Businesses and Consumers – A Strategic Assessment of Markets in Scotland2”, which highlighted that SG should develop a consistent and coherent view on its position on the collaborative economy.

The collaborative economy essentially connects individuals or communities via online platforms enabling the sharing or provision of goods and services, assets and resources without the need for ownership. Gross revenues in the EU from collaborative platforms and providers was estimated to be €28 billion in 2015.

The team is based in Glasgow but there is scope for the intern to work in Edinburgh on a regular basis if desired.

Project details:This internship offers a unique opportunity to help shape the future delivery of a new policy area for SG. It will focus on developing an understanding of the economic, social & environmental impacts the collaborative economy has made and how they are being responded to.

Project scope Reviewing existing research, data and literature of the collaborative economy; Undertaking additional research on the economic, social & environmental impacts of

the collaborative economy; Identifying the key themes within each of the impacts and in discussion with the

policy identify the level of detail each will be explored; Assessing corresponding regulatory responses to the impacts and how they have

been perceived; Developing and publishing a report of the findings; and Presenting findings to policy interests in Scottish Government and other

stakeholders.

Skills required:Good quantitative and qualitative skills are essential, as well as good communication and report-writing skills.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Lorraine KingEnquiries to email: Lorraine.King@gov.scot; telephone: 0300 244 6810

2 Ensuring that Markets Work Well for Businesses and Consumers – A Strategic Assessment of Markets in Scotland, Scottish Government, June 2016

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning and JusticeDirectorate: Education AnalysisDivision/Team: Advanced Learning and Skills Analysis

Internship 09: Advanced Learning and Skills

Policy Context: The Advanced Learning and Skills Team (part of Education Analysis) invites expressions of interest from students with an interest in applying their analytical knowledge and experience, both quantitative and qualitative, to support the development, delivery and evaluation of Scottish Government policy. The team has a specific role to provide integrated analytical support for policy around skills; vocational education and training; and, further and higher education. The team is based in Glasgow city centre.

Project details:The topic area will appeal to students with an interest in skills, education and public policy and with strong qualitative and quantitative skills. The precise scope of the project is still to be confirmed, however, it will involve working closely with Scottish Government analysts and policy makers to answer specific research questions around current policy.

Possible policy areas for analysis include:• Learner journey - adding to the evidence base to improve post-15 learner

journeys through education and into sustainable employment• Developing Young Workforce - a major policy programme that aims to better

prepare children and young people for the world of work• Commission on Widening Access - reducing inequalities in access to higher

education.• Student support - a review of the experience of students and their access to

funding and other support.• Improving the evidence base around enterprise and skills.

Skills required:Good quantitative and qualitative skills are essential, as well as good communication and report-writing skills. Experience of excel as well as SPSS or other similar statistical software is desired but may not be essential depending on the final scope of the project.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Stuart KingEnquiries to email: stuart.king@gov.scot; telephone: 0141 278 8786

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Directorate: Health and Social Care IntegrationDivision/Team: Carers Policy Branch, Care Support and Rights

Internship 10: Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 – Designing a self-assessment readiness tool for local implementation of the Act

Introduction:This is an opportunity to work closely with a busy policy team and government analysts as they plan for the implementation of the 2016 Carers Act. The intern will apply their research design, analytical and interpersonal skills to the development of self-assessment tool for local authorities and health boards who will be responsible for delivery of the Act.

Policy Context: Carers are an integral part of society, caring for family, friends and neighbours. Whilst caring can be a positive and rewarding experience, it can also result in poor carer health. The Scottish Government recognises the valuable contribution that carers make in our communities and the need to support them further. The Carers (Scotland) Act was passed in February 2016 and will come into effect from 1 April 2018. The Act will make a meaningful difference to unpaid carers and contribute towards the improvement of their health and wellbeing, ensuring that they can continue to care, if they so wish, and to have a life alongside caring.

The Act is intended to support carers’ health and wellbeing by introducing (amongst other things):

a duty on local authorities to provide support to carers, based on the carer’s identified needs which meet the local eligibility criteria. 

a specific Adult Carer Support Plan and Young Carer Statement to identify carers’ needs and personal outcomes; and

a requirement for each local authority to have its own information and advice service for carers which must provide information and advice on, amongst other things, emergency and future care planning, advocacy, income maximisation and carers’ rights.

The Carers (Scotland) Act contributes to the Scottish Government’s vision of a healthier and fairer Scotland, and sits within the wider policy landscape including: integration of Health and Social Care; future GP contracts; National Clinical Strategy; new social security powers; and Fair Work agenda.

Project details:Local authorities and health boards are responsible for delivering most of the duties set out in the Act. Scottish Government want to support their implementation activity by developing a self-assessment tool for local authorities and health boards to use to assess their readiness to deliver their responsibilities under the Act. This will also be used by the Implementation Team in Scottish Government to identify areas where further support for delivery partners might be required. The project can draw on a precedent developed by the Department of Health to assess local readiness for implementation of the Care Act in England.

This project will involve the intern working with the close support of the SG Carers Act implementation team and the Health and Social Care analytical team in the design, development and delivery of a self-assessment tool. The specific aims are to:

Design a self-assessment tool to be used by key delivery partners. This may be an online questionnaire or similar tool.

Review the assessment tool with key delivery partners and seek feedback on the usability and usefulness of the tool.

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If time allows there will also be scope for the intern to collate and analyse returns from local partners and draw out findings about potential further areas for SG support them.

Skills required:This project would suit someone who is keen to apply their skills to a practical project focused on policy implementation. Excellent analytical skills are more important than any prior subject knowledge, which is not expected. The following are required:

Good written and oral communication skills; Wide experience of the use of social research methods, including questionnaire

design; An understanding of how to turn evidence requirements into clear and practical

research and evaluation tools; An ability to work independently and flexibly as part of a team.

The project can be tailored to the skills of the applicant. Please detail the full range of your research and analytical skills in your application and indicate particular strengths.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Alix RosenbergEnquiries to email: Alexandra.Rosenberg@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 3769

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Health & SportDirectorate: Population HealthDivision/Team: HSCA

Internship 11: Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs)

Policy Context: Evidence from a variety of sources indicates that the use of IPEDs has increased significantly over the past decade, primarily driven by increased use within the mainstream population. The Scottish Government are taking forward work on this matter in order to develop a better understanding of the scale of the problem and to enable consideration of what can to be done to alleviate associated harms.

Whilst there is an increasing amount of data being collected on IPED use at a UK level, there is limited Scottish data. We are currently therefore unclear whether there are distinctive patterns of use, or different levels and types of risks related to IPED use in Scotland when compared to the rest of the UK population. Further work is therefore required to enable the Government to develop its policy on this matter.

Project details:The aim of this project is to gather and assess evidence relating to the use of image and performance enhancing drugs in a Scottish context. As well as reviewing the literature this is likely to involve making links with other organisations to better understand the provision of services in Scotland and the data that are currently available on IPED use. The intern will be asked to produce a final report setting out a summary of the evidence, and suggestions for how gaps in the evidence might best be addressed. This will help to inform our focus for future work.

The intern will also have the opportunity to contribute to other drugs analytical work as required.

Skills required:

Literature and information search and review skills; Good written and oral communication skills; Experience of the use of social research methods; Interest in problem drug use would also be desirable, although not essential.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Isla Wallace/Fran WarrenEnquiries to email: Isla.Wallace@gov.scot or Frances.Warren@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 4648

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Health & Social CareDirectorate: Population HealthDivision/Team: Health & Social Care Analysis

Internship 12: Primary Care in Scotland (more than one internship may be available)

Policy Context: The Role of Primary Care in the Health of Scotland.

This is an opportunity to work on a high profile public policy topic. In applying your analytical and report writing skills, you will contribute to the Scottish Government’s vision for the future of Primary Care in Scotland.

Around 90% of patient interaction with the NHS is through primary care services, with general practice the cornerstone of the health care system. International comparisons show that countries with health systems based on strong primary care infrastructure have better outcomes in terms of public health, health care access, co-ordination experiences and more proportionate use of resources.

While Scotland’s health is improving, the NHS, to be financially sustainable and to tackle persistent health inequalities, needs to focus on preventative models of care rather than reactive management of patients with long-term conditions. There are around 24 million consultations in general practice per year. People with long-term conditions account for 50% of GP appointments, 64% of outpatient appointments and over 70% of inpatient bed days.

GPs influence the demand for other care settings, acting as a ‘navigator’ to secondary care, co-ordinating care, screening and health promotion. Primary care is well placed to support self-management by helping patients with long-term conditions to understand and manage their problems, promoting a focus on prevention, rehabilitation and independence, delivered by increasingly multidisciplinary teams and supported by a continued drive towards health and social care integration.

Project details and skills required:The intern will be based in the Scottish Government’s Health & Social Care Analysis Division (HSCA) in St Andrew’s House in central Edinburgh. HSCA consists of social researchers, economists and statisticians who support SG policy officials across health and social care policy.

We are looking for someone who enjoys being part of a team, is flexible and is comfortable independently applying their research skills to new topics. Excellent analytical and writing skills are more important than knowledge of health policy or services. We are looking for someone who can approach the topic with an open mind and is keen to understand how evidence is used in developing, monitoring and evaluating public policy. Due to the high demand for analytical work in this area more than internship project may be available.

The project is likely to involve evidence reviews, although the specific topic(s) has not been finalised (e.g. we would like to know more about the experiences of those who use primary care in Scotland, and are also interested in evidence from other countries). The research approach/design could partly be tailored to the successful applicant’s skills and knowledge. You should, therefore, detail the full range of your research and analytical skills in your application and indicate particular strengths.

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Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Fiona MacDonald or Iain MacAllisterEnquiries to email: fiona.macdonald2@gov.scot; iain.macallister@gov.scot; telephone: Fiona MacDonald (0131 242 5074) or Iain MacAllister (0131 244 3245)

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Health and Social CareDirectorate: Healthcare Quality and Improvement Division/Team: Planning and Quality

Internship 13: Public Service Reform: Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest - Case Study

Policy Context: This is an opportunity to use the Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) Strategy for Scotland as a case study to understand and improve Public Service Reform (PSR) in practice. In applying their critical and primary research skills the intern will contribute to developing the Scottish Government’s knowledge and understanding of both PSR and OHCA Strategy delivery. The intern will be based in the Care Team in the Scottish Government’s Health Analytical Services Division in St Andrew’s House in central Edinburgh. The Team consists of social researchers, economists and statisticians who provide policy officials in a wide range of Health and Social Care areas, including the team responsible for carers, with analytical advice and support.

In March 2015 a broad coalition of partners set out plans to improve survival after OHCA. The main aims of the OHCA Strategy for Scotland are to save 1000 additional lives and train 500,000 people in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) by 2020 and make Scotland a world leader in the management of OHCA. The Strategy was devised in a collaboration between the Scottish Government, Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland, British Heart Foundation (BHF), Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) and Resuscitation Research Group, University of Edinburgh. In delivering the Strategy, public services are working across traditional boundaries, hand in hand with voluntary organisations and communities. This is unlocking the potential and the creativity of people at all levels of public and voluntary service, empowering them to work together in innovative ways. As such the OHCA Strategy is an example of PSR in practice. PSR is core to the Scottish Government’s vision of “a public service delivery landscape which is affordable, rises to the challenge of tackling inequalities and supports economic growth across Scotland: where communities are empowered and supported to take responsibility for their own actions; and public services are confident and agile enough to allow that to happen. For this public bodies will play a full part in delivering improved outcomes: leaders and their teams work collaboratively across organisational boundaries to ensure that services are shaped around the needs and demands of individuals and communities; and there will be a clear focus on prevention and early intervention, with the aim of breaking cycles of inequality and poverty.”   

Project details:The aim of this research project is to examine the OHCA Strategy as an example of public service reform in practice. The specific research questions include:

In what ways and to what extent is the OHCA an example of PSR in practice? What aspects of PSR objectives have supported progress to achieving the Strategy’s aims? Where could further gains be achieved and how?What learning from is transferrable to other policy areas?

The intern will be required to: Provide an analysis of the OHCA Strategy in the context of key facets in PSR Identify key aspects in the Strategy that are using the principles of PSR. Set out where and how PSR has been important and necessary in achieving the

aims of the Strategy and how this can be used for further improvement. Draw out the broader learning and ways to drive improvement for other Scottish

Government policies. Produce an accessible report which concisely sets out the main research findings

and conclusions that will be published on the Scottish Government website.

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The main data sources are: policy and research documents on PSR and OHCA Strategy; existing data relevant to the OHCA strategy progress and outcomes and interviews with key stakeholders in Scottish Government, public services and voluntary and community groups.

Skills required:We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate they have the following essential skills at a high level: - ability to identify and assess published literature from a range of sources; - ability to analyse and synthesise quantitative and qualitative research evidence; - ability to devise, carry out and analyse interviews with professionals- report writing, including the ability to write for different audiences and in ‘plain

English’;- oral communication skills.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Connie SmithEnquiries to email: Connie.Smith@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 3272

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning and JusticeDirectorate: Safer CommunitiesDivision/Team: Justice Analytical Services (JAS)

Internship 14: Justice Analytical Services - Patterns of re-offending

Policy Context: By reducing offending and reoffending, we reduce the emotional, social, and economic impact of crime on our communities. To fully understand reoffending, we need to examine the different patterns reoffending across different population groups, and the risk factors that that may influence this. More specific knowledge of patterns of reoffending ensures that policies to reduce reoffending are targeted more precisely.

Reconviction rates are at their lowest level in the last 17 years. Since 1997-98 there has been an 18 per cent reduction in the average number of reconvictions per offender from 0.62 to 0.51 in 2013-14. This considerable reduction in reconvictions is largely being driven by a marked fall over time in the number of reconvictions for the under 21 age group. In 1997-98 the average number of reconvictions of this group was 0.93 and in 2013-14 it was 0.61; a 34 per cent decrease in 17 years.

Project details:The intern would be working on data within Justice Analytical Services in the Scottish Government. Specifically, the intern would carry out analyses on the Scottish Offenders Index (SOI) that contains the conviction records of all offenders in Scotland since 1989. There is also the possibility of linking to an additional dataset containing offender risk-assessment data and analysing this linked dataset. These analyses would broadly examine how the frequency, volume, and type of reoffending changes through time for offenders; and how reoffending varies with different factors, such as number of previous convictions, the types of crime that were committed, and characteristics of offenders. In particular, the project could:

Design a cohort study to examine the changing patterns of re-offending over time for different cohorts. This could also look at different patterns for different crime-types.

Link and/or analyse linked Criminal Proceedings and offender risk assessment data to examine risk-factors for offending and re-offending.

Examine re-offending patterns for different crime types. Explore if different sentencing affects reoffending.

There is scope for the intern to develop and pursue further analyses, if they wish.

The intern would be working with a statistician, and the results of this work will be presented in papers and verbal presentations.

Skills required: Good numerical skills. Some experience of quantitative statistical analyses. Some experience of using statistical computer programming languages, such as R or

SAS. Ability to present data in graphs and tables. Experience of using spreadsheets. An interest in Criminal Justice

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Mariken SchipperEnquiries to email: Mariken.Schipper@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 2595

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Learning and JusticeDirectorate: Safer CommunitiesDivision/Team: Justice Analytical Services

Internship 15: Violence in the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey

Policy Context: Justice Analytical Services (JAS) has responsibility for providing research and analysis on a wide range of policy areas in the Justice and Safer Communities Directorates including crime and policing, drugs, fore, resilience, civil and criminal justice, court proceedings, prisons, community justice and offender rehabilitation.

Within our portfolio of work on community safety topics, JAS is currently developing the evidence base on violence in Scotland. We are particularly interested in pulling together different sources of evidence to provide more of a narrative around violence. We would like more of an overarching view of what violence is like in Scotland, for example having a good understanding of who the victims are and what is happening over time.

Project details:The intern would work in the Safer Communities Analytical Unit within JAS. The exact nature of the project will depend on the skills of the applicant but the tasks will include summarising existing data and research, secondary analysis of government held data – including administrative and cross sectional surveys, research design, report writing, and providing oral/written briefing for policy teams.

Violence is a large area of research so it is likely that this project would focus in on one particular type of violence. For example, serious assault or homicide.

Skills required:Quantitative skills: experience of data management and analysis is essential along with knowledge of excel and either SPSS or SAS.Literature review skillsGood communication and report writing skillsIt would be helpful though not essential to have background knowledge of criminal justice, violence or public health policy areas.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Ben CavanaghEnquiries to email: Ben.Cavanagh@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 2441602

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Governance and CommunitiesDirectorate: Local Government and CommunitiesDivision/Team: Local Governance and Reform Research

Internship 16: Public Service Reform

Policy Context: Excellent public services are essential for a productive and equitable society and the Scottish Government is committed to protecting and improving public services through reform and efficiency, and in these tough times, the power of public services to enhance quality of life and improve economic opportunities has never been more important.

The Scottish Government is committed to assets-based approaches and wants reform to happen in partnership with people and communities. This should be through alignment and integration of communities, public, third sector and private organisations who come together to co-produce services and facilities which are tailored to individual and community needs. This requires empowered communities and workforces and a new approach to first line and middle management and governance structures to facilitate integration, innovation and adaptation.

The Local Governance and Reform Research Team invites expressions of interest from PhD candidates with an interest in applying their social science knowledge and experience to support the Government’s commitment to developing a sound evidence base for public service reform to inform our policy development, interventions and financial sustainability.

Project details:Building on the learning from the Christie Commission’s 2012 report (www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Review/publicservicescommission), the Scottish Government has been working on developing the evidence base to inform, support and evaluate the reform process and outcomes to support the development of policies based on theories of change.

The programme of work is still under development, however the key focus for the internship will be to work collaboratively with policy and analytical colleagues (and potentially external stakeholders) to consider how evidence might help policy development in Scotland, particularly around the potential value and role of community participation/action and in social innovation and role of the Third Sector to meet social need and tackle poverty and inequality.

There are currently two permanent members of staff in the Local Governance and Reform Research Team and twelve in the wider analytical unit with varied skills, experience and background. You will be based within a supportive and collegiate team environment and will work closely with policy colleagues, and will also join a network of other interns across the Scottish Government.

Skills required: Strong analysis skills particularly in qualitative methods and knowledge of quantitative methods would be desirable. Also essential is strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills and ability to work flexibly. Welcomed would be an interest / knowledge of social innovation, Public Service Reform and the role of communities and the Third Sector, alongside a genuine interest in being involved in work on tackling poverty and inequality in Scotland.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Jacqueline Rae

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Enquiries to email: Jacqueline.Rae@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 7566

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Governance and CommunitiesDirectorate: Local Government and CommunitiesDivision/Team: Local Governance and Reform Research

Internship 17: Public Service Reform /ULab Scotland

Policy Context: Excellent public services are essential for a productive and equitable society and the Scottish Government is committed to protecting and improving public services through reform and efficiency, and in these tough times, the power of public services to enhance quality of life and improve economic opportunities has never been more important.

The Scottish Government is committed to assets-based approaches and wants reform to happen in partnership with people and communities. This should be through alignment and integration of communities, public, third sector and private organisations who come together to co-produce services and facilities which are tailored to individual and community needs. This requires empowered communities and workforces and a new approach to leadership, first line and middle management and governance structures to facilitate integration, innovation and adaptation.

The Local Governance and Reform Research/Ingage Teams invites expressions of interest from PhD candidates with an interest in applying their social science knowledge and experience to support the Government’s commitment to developing a sound evidence base for public service reform to inform our policy development, interventions and financial sustainability.

Project details: This PhD internship is to support the Team in exploring the impact of U.Lab in Scotland. https://ulabscot.wordpress.com/

U.Lab is a global online/real-world learning experience to develop people’s potential as change makers. Scotland had the highest number of participants per capita of any country and there is now a vibrant and supportive community of 1000+ U practitioners here. We are working with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to explore how to gauge its impact, and also exploring how it can help in changing how the Scottish Government (SG) works. U.Lab is free to anyone who would like to participate and will run again in Sept this year.

The detail of the internship is still under development, however the key focus for the internship will be to move the work we have done so far onto the next level, working collaboratively with colleagues across the office and external stakeholders to develop and support gauging impact.

There are currently two permanent members of staff in the Local Governance and Reform Research Team and twelve in the wider unit with varied skills, experience and background. You will be based within a supportive and collegiate team environment working between the research team and the Ingage team who are supporting colleagues across the Scottish Government and the wider public sector to work differently. You will work closely with members of the u.lab Scotland community, as well as Scottish Government analytical and policy colleagues, and will also join a network of other interns across the Scottish Government.

Skills required: Strong analysis skills particularly in qualitative methods and knowledge of quantitative methods would be desirable. Also essential is strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills and ability to work flexibly. Welcomed would be an interest / knowledge of social innovation, U.Lab / U.Lab Scotland and Public Service Reform, alongside a genuine interest in being involved in work on tackling poverty and inequality in Scotland.

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Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Keira OliverEnquiries to email: Keira.Oliver@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 4943

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: ECONOMYDirectorate: DIRECTORATE FOR CHIEF ECONOMISTDivision/Team: DECON: Office of the Chief Economic Adviser – Economic Analysis

Internship 18: Energy Economics: Analytical Support

Policy Context: Scotland has world-leading climate change ambitions as well commitments to deliver the equivalent of 100% of the country’s electricity consumption, 11% of heat, and 10% of transport energy through renewables. These targets are currently being reviewed alongside the development of Scottish Government’s energy-related publications such as the Climate Change Plan and the Energy Strategy, and this is therefore an extremely interesting time to be providing analytical support to this area.

The Energy Economics branch provides support and advice to senior officials and Ministers on issues such as wholesale and retail energy markets, transmissions and distribution network price controls, community and locally owned renewables, marine renewables, consumer issues, energy efficiency development, power plant consenting and progress towards energy targets.

Project details:The Energy Economics intern will have the opportunity to work alongside and provide analytical support to Scottish Government Analysts and Policymakers on a wide range energy-related issues. The specific nature of individual tasks has yet to be confirmed, and will depend on the exact timing of the internship and the demands on the team at that time.

The internship will however focus on analysis and communication of analysis on topics including energy retail markets (domestic and non-domestic bills), wholesale energy markets, community and locally owned renewable energy projects, the Energy Strategy and the Climate Change Plan.

Skills required:Good quantitative, communication and report-writing skills essential. Experience of Excel desirable.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Mike King / Stephen CoxEnquiries to email: Stephen.Cox@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 0543

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Strategy & OperationsDirectorate: Strategy and ConstitutionDivision/Team: Office of the Chief Researcher

Internship 19: Analysis of Understanding Society longitudinal survey data for Scotland

Policy Context: Understanding Society is a major UK longitudinal household panel study which began in 2009, but builds on 18 years of the British Household Panel Survey. It has a Scottish sample of 4,000 households and has the potential to be a rich longitudinal data resource offering considerable possibilities for exploring equality, poverty and social mobility issues and for analysis informing policy areas across the SG, including health, education, housing, transport, physical activity and environment.

The Scottish Government is a co-funder of the survey and has arrangements in place with the Understanding Society team whereby they help to facilitate and support our analysis of the data. We are inviting expressions of interest from students with strong quantitative analysis skills to work alongside Scottish Government analysts to conduct analysis of the Understanding Society data, produce briefings for policymakers, and help to build our capacity in maximising our use of this important data resource.

Project details:The intern would be based in and supported from the Office of the Chief Researcher but the internship would include working with analysts supporting policy areas across the Scottish Government. The specific policy topics that the intern would be exploring using the Understanding Society data are not yet confirmed, but the analysis is likely to include a focus on inequalities, and potentially analysis of the survey’s data on any of the following topics – poverty, social capital, tax and benefits, childcare, health, housing and political engagement.

Data will be available for the years 2009-2014. Outputs would be likely to include brief reports presenting Understanding Society longitudinal data in an accessible, appealing format with succinct accompanying text highlighting key findings, caveats and areas for further exploration.

Skills required: Essential - Strong quantitative analysis skills, and experience of SAS, Stata or SPSS. Essential – good communication, data presentation and report-writing skills Essential – experience of undertaking longitudinal analysis.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: Gillian CruickshankSG Analytical Sponsor: Rod HarrisonEnquiries to email: gillian.cruickshank@gov.scot Telephone: 0131 244 1619

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: CommunitiesDirectorate: Housing and Social JusticeDivision/Team: Office of the Chief Social Policy Advisor

Internship 20: Inclusive Economic Growth in Scotland – Learning from Social Research Evidence

Policy Context: The Scottish Economic Strategy set out an ambition to increase competitiveness while simultaneously tackling inequalities to achieve long term economic growth. Inclusive growth is identified as a key priority in achieving this goal.

Inclusive growth in Scotland is defined as:

“Growth that combines increased prosperity with greater equity; that creates opportunities for all and distributes the dividends of increased prosperity fairly”

Scottish Economic Strategy 2015Inclusive growth: incorporates traditional growth policies - investment, innovation, internationalisation,

labour markets and employment Is multi-dimensional: it includes social inclusion, well-being, participation, environment Tackles inequalities in outcomes but also inequalities in opportunities Promotes more equal growth across cities, regions and rural areas, and recognises

importance of place/community in delivering this.

Project details:This internship will sit within the Office of the Chief Social Policy Adviser (OCSPA), and will be based in Glasgow with some travel to Edinburgh required.

The main project will focus on developing the evidence base on Inclusive Growth. Your role will be to ensure that social research and social policy evidence is represented, integrated and communicated in the Scottish Government’s work in this area. This will involve using social research evidence to complement the economic analysis on inclusive growth, which is led by the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser (OCEA). A background in economics is therefore not required for this role.

The project will involve reviewing international research evidence and learning from organisations and places that are already implementing inclusive growth approaches. The project may also involve working with other analysts from across Scottish Government divisions and policy area, as well as OCEA, to gather and analyse data from across a range of policy areas relevant to inclusive growth. Both written outputs and oral presentations will be required in order to share the findings of the evidence review with colleagues across the Scottish Government.

This is an opportunity to use analytical skills to contribute to the development of a high profile, cross-cutting policy agenda to help the Scottish Government achieve its ambition for inclusive growth and to make an impact on the lives of people in Scotland.

Skills required:General social research/social policy knowledge and skills, including: Sourcing and critical assessment of research and statistical evidence Analysis and presentation of a range of types of evidence Ability to work with a range of colleagues and build effective partnerships Ability to communicate effectively in writing and in person with a range of stakeholders

including analysts and policy colleagues.

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Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Carole EdwardsEnquiries to email: Carole.Edwards@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 6771

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: EconomyDirectorate: Environment and Forestry Division/Team: Rural Science and Analysis Unit

Internship 21: Implications of UK exit from the EU on Scotland’s rural economy

Policy Context: Supporting Scotland’s rural economy is a key priority for the Scottish Government. If Scotland is removed from the EU as part of the UK it is anticipated there will be implications for jobs and economic growth in Scotland’s rural areas.

Project details:The aim of this project is to assist policy makers by summarising and interpreting academic evidence relating to the potential implications of the UK vote to leave the EU. The rural economy could be affected via a number of channels including changes to: trade agreements; direct EU funding; exchange rate movements; inward investment; and labour movement. The particular skills of applicants will be taken into account when scoping the final project. The project will involve consultation with SG policy leads and communication of research findings to a non-specialist audience.

Skills required:Ability to interpret and effectively communicate quantitative and qualitative evidence to a non-specialist audience. The project would be particularly suited to a PhD student with a background in economics, though other specialisms would be considered (e.g. economic geographers/ spatial analysts)

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Neil SwansonEnquiries to email: Neil.Swanson@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 9697

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Strategy and OperationsDirectorate: Strategy and ConstitutionDivision/Team: Corporate Analytical Services

Internship 22: Evaluating the outcomes of the post-specific promotion policy in the Scottish Government

Context:The Corporate Analytical Services Team in the Office of the Chief Statistician and Strategic Analysis provide evidence and analysis to inform organisational leadership decisions on issues related to wellbeing, workforce planning, pay negotiations and organisational effectiveness in the Scottish Government.

We are a diverse team, made up of social researchers, statisticians and HR data analysts. We analyse management information data, manage staff surveys and carry out primary research to evaluate the effectiveness of corporate initiatives.

Project details:The internship will contribute to the outcome evaluation of the a new post-specific promotion policy which has recently been launched in the SG to replace the previous general board promotion approach. At six months post launch we will be collecting a first wave of evidence to determine whether the new policy is achieving its aims of being responsive, simple, fair, robust and consistent. The successful candidate will support the evaluation lead to collect, analyse and report qualitative and quantitative evidence towards its intermediary outcomes.

The internship will involve: carrying out interviews with candidates, recruiting managers, lead panel members

and senior managers in the Scottish Government carrying out secondary analyses of workforce data analysing and communicating findings in the form of short reports and presentations

for a range of Scottish Government audiences

The project offers an excellent opportunity to work with other analysts and policy makers in the Scottish Government. No previous experience in the subjective topic area is required.

Skills required: essential – strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills essential – experience of collecting, analysing and reporting qualitative evidence desirable – ability to handle sensitive data appropriately desirable – ability to integrate evidence from qualitative and quantitative sources.

Timing:Ideally from April 2017 (1st evaluation phase), or September 2017 (2nd evaluation phase).

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Mariela FordyceEnquiries to email: Mariela.Fordyce@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 2805

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Strategy and External Affairs Directorate: Strategy and Constitution Division/Team: Strategy Unit

Internship 23: Strategy Unit

Context: The Strategy Unit undertakes detailed analysis of medium term cross-cutting policy issues for Scotland and produces robust policy advice, working closely with analytical and policy colleagues across Scottish Government.

The Unit is based in the Strategy and Constitution Directorate, which lies at the heart of the work of the Scottish Government. The Unit advises Ministers, the Permanent Secretary and the Executive Team on a range of cross cutting issues. It’s a multi-disciplinary policy/analytical team, including policy advisers, a statistician, economists and social researchers.

Project details:One internship is offered by the Strategy Unit. The work will include supporting a new approach to horizon scanning, informed by internal and external engagement. The key task will be to identify the most critical factors which are likely to impact on Scotland’s future economic, social and environmental wellbeing over a 5 to 15 year time period, and contribute to a ‘state of readiness’ report. This will involve working with a variety of organisations that have a broad medium to long term perspective using a variety of tools and approaches, as well as drawing on relevant publications. The intern may also be involved in follow-on work on issues considered critical to Scotland’s future success where new thinking is needed.

The internship is likely to involve:

desk based research, including the analysis of existing research evidence/data and information gathering

the opportunity to work with government analysts and policy makers across the Scottish Government and

the communication of findings in the form of short briefing papers or presentations for a range of Scottish Government audiences including senior civil servants.

Skills required: The Strategy Unit invites expressions of interest from students with an interest in applying their social science knowledge and experience to contribute to the work of the Unit. We welcome applications from students in any social science discipline.

Required skills: literature searching and reviewing skills – including reviewing papers from a wide

range of disciplines ability to operate across traditional analytical boundaries and disciplines good written and oral communication skills are essential understanding that project work will be sensitive and will require careful handling.

Timing: The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries: SG Analytical Sponsor: Aileen McIntoshEnquiries to email: aileen.mcintosh@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 5646

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Strategy and OperationsDirectorate: Strategy and ConstitutionDivision/Team: Corporate Analytical Services

Internship 24: Workforce planning evidence review

Context: The Corporate Analytical Services Team in the Office of the Chief Statistician and Strategic Analysis provide evidence and analysis to inform organisational leadership decisions on issues related to wellbeing, workforce planning, pay negotiations and organisational effectiveness in the Scottish Government.

We are a diverse team, made up of social researchers, statisticians and HR data analysts. We analyse management information data, manage staff surveys, carry out evidence reviews, as well as primary research to evaluate the effectiveness of corporate initiatives.

Project details:The Corporate Analytical Services Team are currently supporting the Workforce Planning Working Group to develop a strategic workforce planning function in the Scottish Government. This is part of a wider programme of work that aims to ensure that the organisation has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place at the right time, creating a more flexible, diverse, creative and innovative workplace. The project will provide an opportunity to help understand the information that senior leaders need to plan where resources and capabilities should move towards, and so to manage the direction of resourcing.

The exact nature and subject of the internship will depend on the Working Group’s priorities at the time and the skills of the successful applicant. It is likely that it will involve:

gathering evidence of workforce planning practices within the Scottish Government and/or other public sector organisations

communicating findings in the form of short briefing papers or presentations for a range of Scottish Government audiences, including senior civil servants.

The project offers an excellent opportunity to work with other analysts and policy makers in the Scottish Government and other public service organisations. The intern will be able to shape their own workload.

Skills required: essential – strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills essential – experience of collecting, analysing and reporting qualitative evidence desirable – ability to work across analytical and disciplinary boundaries.

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant but the general requirement will be for it to start in spring/early summer 2017.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Mariela FordyceEnquiries to email: Mariela.Fordyce@gov.scot; telephone: 0131 244 2805

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL: Scottish Prison ServiceDirectorate: Strategy and InnovationDivision/Team: Research

Internship 25: Transformational Change within the Scottish Prison Service

Policy Context:It is now some 3 years since SPS published its Organisational Review which set out a revised operating philosophy and a radical transformational change agenda based on developing a person-centred, asset-based approach to those in custodial care; promoting individual agency and self-efficacy to realise potential; strengthening links into communities; supporting throughcare; and investing in staff to enable them to be effective change agents. SPS’s Mission is to “provide services that help to transform the lives of people in our care so they can fulfil their potential and become responsible citizens”.

Project details:The exact details of the internship will depend on the skills of the applicant and key policy developments at the time. The intern will have an opportunity to shape their own workload. The work will focus on providing a research and evidence base to support the implementation of SPS’ continuing change agenda. There will be an opportunity to become involved in a variety of work-streams such as the Prisoner Survey; the Purposeful Activities Strategy; the Throughcare Support initiative; Offender Behaviour Programme evaluation; Performance Measurement and Benchmarking; SPS’ Strategic Assessment exercise; the Population Management project; and general horizon scanning for international best practice in penal policy and practice.

The intern will:

contribute to an approved programme of research and evaluation priorities; scan the domestic and international horizons and disseminate innovative thinking

and best practice on, inter alia, penal philosophy, innovative practice, organisational performance, multi-agency collaborative working, offender case management, throughcare initiatives, criminal justice reforms, etc.;

communicate relevant data analyses, performance information, evaluations and research based evidence to a range of public, academic, partner agency and parliamentary interests to influence and shape policy thinking.

Skills required:

Literature and information search and review skills; Good written and oral communication skills; Experience of the use of social research methods.

Timing:

The timing of the internship can be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: Jim CarnieEnquiries to email: james.carnie@sps.pnn.gov.uk; telephone: 0131 330 3766

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Organisation: Scottish Sentencing CouncilDirectorate: Secretariat

Internship 26: Pubic Perceptions of Youth Offending

Policy Context:

The Scottish Sentencing Council is an independent advisory body, tasked with the creation of sentencing guidelines for Scottish criminal courts under the Criminal Justice and Licensing Scotland Act 2010. The Council's responsibilities include:

preparing sentencing guidelines for the Scottish courts publishing guideline judgments issued by the Scottish courts publishing information about sentences imposed by the courts.

It also has powers to publish information about, and conduct research into, sentencing and to provide advice and guidance of a general nature on sentencing matters.

When carrying out its functions, the Council must seek to:

promote consistency in sentencing practice assist the development of policy in relation to sentencing promote greater awareness and understanding of sentencing policy and practice.

The Council was established in 2015 and is chaired by Lady Dorian, the Lord Justice Clerk. The full Council holds quarterly business meetings and other workshops and visits on an ad hoc basis. The Council is supported by a small Secretariat based in Edinburgh. Remote working may be possible for this internship.

The Criminal Justice system in Scotland had no formal guidance on sentencing of criminal offences prior to the establishment of the Scottish Sentencing Council. Bodies to provide such guidance exist in the other jurisdictions of the UK and in many international jurisdictions where the legal system is akin to the systems in the UK. The Scottish Sentencing Council has a statutory power to undertake research on sentencing and a duty to provide evidence based impact assessments of any guideline published. The Council is currently considering formulation of a guideline covering the principles and purposes of sentencing in Scotland with regards to young offenders (those under 25 years old).

Project details

You will undertake focus group based qualitative research on public perceptions of youth justice. The Secretariat will provide guidance on topics of interest to the Scottish Sentencing Council which you will be responsible for investigating. The Secretariat will provide support and assistance throughout, but you will be responsible for the project. Your work will include:

Preparing a focus group interview schedule, covering key topics of interest; Recruiting participants for at least two focus groups, ideally with a range of ages,

socio-economic classes and degrees of experience with the justice system represented;

Organising and running at least two focus groups, with Secretariat support; and Presenting preliminary findings to the Scottish Sentencing Council and the Council’s

Research Committee.

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Expected Outcome

You will produce a preliminary report on the outcomes of the focus groups run during your internship, detailing emergent themes. You will attend a meeting of the Research Committee and the subsequent full Scottish Sentencing Council meeting to present your findings and participate in a question and answer session. You will produce desk instruction and interview schedule which can be used to run further focus groups on this topic. Ideally, you will have arranged future sessions which will be run by the Secretariat.

Responsibilities

Office support will be provided in Parliament House, Edinburgh, if required.

You will be working alongside the Scottish Sentencing Council Secretariat, consisting of the Secretary to the Council, the Principal Research Officer, the Principal Legal Officer, a Policy Officer and a Media Officer. You will also work with members of the Scottish Sentencing Council, including presenting your findings at a full Council meeting. You may have the opportunity to assist with other pieces of research during the lifespan of the project. You will be line managed on a day to day basis by the Principal Research Officer, who will also provide professional support and advice.

Skills required

Experience of qualitative research is essential, with direct experience of running focus groups highly desirable. Experience of recruiting participants is also required. Good communication skills, both written and oral, are desirable as you will need to summarise your findings for the Scottish Sentencing Council. An understanding of legal systems and social policy would be beneficial.

TimingThe timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:

SG Analytical Sponsor: Andrew BellEnquiries to email: abell@scotcourts.gov.ukTelephone: 0131 240 6824 (Mon-Wed) 01875 321184 (Thur-Fri)

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POOL APPLICATIONS

Internship: Pool Applications

Policy Context: The Scottish Government is always in the position of having to respond to changing demands and emerging events. As a result it is frequently the case that new opportunities for internships arise between the time when the call for projects closes and the appointment of interns. It is not possible to advertise these opportunities, but as and when they arise we like to be able to place interns into these exciting or fast-moving areas.

Project details:Interns who are prepared to apply for the pool can be offered placements and projects in any area of the Scottish Government for which their skill set is relevant. Some of these may include projects that have been advertised above in the general advertisement, but others will be new or substantially changed projects where new demands for analysis are only beginning to be identified.

The intern will usually supported by a senior social researcher and/or economic advisor who will help and guide with project planning and management.

There will be opportunities for the intern to present their work within the Scottish Government if desired.

Skills required:For pool placements we will look to match skills interns have identified with new placement opportunities. It is therefore really important that interns explain what their core skills are – whether those skills are qualitative/quantitative and/or economic or social. On top of that we will always need people who are/have:

Strong organisational skills and self-motivated Excellent communication skills Critical thinking/analysis

Timing:The timing of the internship will be agreed with the successful applicant.

Queries:SG Analytical Sponsor: co-ordinated by the Office of the Chief ResearcherEnquiries to email: Enquiries.SG-SGSSS.interns@gov.scot

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