The Scottish Government is advertising for a new chief data officer after the departure of Albert King to the NHS.
Describing the position as an ‘outstanding and rare opportunity’, the Digital Directorate said the £77-83,000 job role will provide the leadership for Scotland’s ambition to use data ethically and systematically to ‘improve decision making, saving time, money, and lives’.
Advertising the role, it said: “The pandemic has fundamentally changed our way of life over the past two years. Many of us have worked successfully from home and we’ve come to rely on digital technology for home shopping, online education, and new and creative ways of keeping in touch with family and friends.
“The Scottish Government has an ambition to seize the opportunities this brings and has a clear vision to ensure that Scotland is recognised throughout the world as a truly innovative digital nation. Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic shows we can innovate together and create the conditions for sustainable, outcome-led services.”
Mr. King, who served as chief data officer for over two years, joins NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) in the same role.
Alistair Hann, former Skyscanner executive who is now chief technology officer within the Digital Directorate, posted the vacancy on LinkedIn.
Among the core responsibilities for the role, the chief data officer will be expected to be accountable for leading the development and delivery of public sector data strategy, governance, control, policy development, and effective exploitation. They will also be the ‘voice of data’ and represent data as a strategic national asset critical to realising ‘national outcomes’ for government.