Government Digital and Data (GDD) Profession

Working at the Scottish Government is like no other job. We offer unique roles, working with partners to deliver vital public services which provide real benefits and impact for the people of Scotland.

 

About the GDD Profession

The Government Digital & Data (GDD) Profession is a UK Civil Service profession for digital, data and technology specialists working across central government departments and executive agencies. Its purpose is to lead and deliver digital transformation in government, ensuring public services are efficient, accessible, secure and centred on user needs.

The GDD profession in Scotland aligns to the UK Government GDD Profession Capability Framework.

GDD Profession members in Scottish Government are supported by the Digital Academy.

Other organisations are encouraged to align with the framework, so that we all share a common standard description of the digital roles we need in the workplace. The Digital Academy has created standardised job profiles for  roles on the framework and these will be available in the near future. In the meantime, they are obtainable on request by contacting us digitalacademy@gov.scot.

The Framework provides a common definition of over 50 digital, data and technology job roles and career paths across government.  In Scotland, the profession has over 40 job roles, organised into eight job families:

  • Architecture
  • Data
  • IT operations
  • Product and Delivery
  • Quality Assurance Testing
  • Software Engineering (development)
  • User-centred Design
  • Cyber Security and Resilience

In Scotland, cyber roles are attached to the Profession as an additional job family. Details of these roles and associated skills can be found on the beta site UK Government Cyber Profession.

 

    Our work delivers real impact and our people have the support to learn and develop, with opportunities to develop their career and explore different sectors. Working in the digital profession will give you access to the wide range of courses offered by the Scottish Digital Academy, as well as opportunities to gain professional memberships and academic qualifications.

    Lee Dunn, Head of the Scottish Digital Academy

    How does the Academy support the GDD profession?

    • The Digital Academy has overall strategic and operational responsibility to manage the Profession, through the Chief Operating Officer for Digital.
    • We standardise job profiles for recruitment within the GDD profession, which are available on request.
    • We maintain the integrity of the Profession by ensuring all GDD jobs meet the criteria for standardisation.
    • We ensure we remain aligned to the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework
    • We provide information, advice and guidance to the Profession, including governance around pay supplements for specific GDD specialised roles.
    • We facilitate professional learning and leadership development.
    • We manage memberships with other Professional Bodies.
    • We support our communities of practice and can help public and third sector organisations to network with them.
    • We support talent and development in the GDD profession through GDD Fast Stream, Student Placement & Apprenticeships.

    The next chapter of your career starts here

     

    Work with us in a supportive environment that encourages innovation, teamwork, and individual growth, that are at the heart of everything we do.

    Please visit the Scottish Government jobs portal to find available vacancies.

     

     

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