The roles

The Children and Young People Improvement Collaborative (CYPIC) is supported by a team of improvement advisors to focus on priority national areas. The team support work across pre-birth to 18 using quality improvement methodology, these education-focused roles are for programmes delivered in partnership with Education Scotland.

CYPIC ESAs will be asked to undertake up to 15 days of work between their successful appointment and March 2027.

There are roles available within the following two areas: 

• National Improving Writing Programme
• Quality Improvement for Senior Leaders Programme

Essential criteria for all roles

• Demonstrable expertise in quality improvement approaches, including improvement science, quality management and implementation.
• Significant experience of using data and evidence to support improvement planning, implementation and evaluation.
• Excellent analytical, evaluative and communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to a range of audiences.
• Evidence of highly effective interpersonal skills and the ability to build and sustain productive professional relationships.
• A strong understanding of current and emerging developments across Scottish education.

National Improving Writing Programme (2 posts)

Apply for this role

To apply, please complete and submit the application form by  Friday 25 September 2026 at 3:00 pm. We are unable to accept late applications.  

About the role

Successful candidates will work closely with Education Scotland’s National Improving Writing Programme team to support the delivery and continuous improvement of the programme across Scotland. Associates will contribute specialist expertise in quality improvement, improvement methodology, and the effective use of data to support improvement at classroom, school, local authority and national levels. Desirable expertise in writing pedagogy will support the development of high-quality professional learning and improvement activity focused on writing outcomes. 

Existing scheduling commitments mean that successful candidates are likely to be required on:

Note that this role will require the successful candidates to deliver some twilight sessions working until 6 pm.  

Essential Criteria

• Significant and current experience (minimum 5 years) of working in Scottish education with extensive experience of leading improvement activity
• Experience of facilitating professional learning and supporting practitioners and leaders to improve practice and pupil outcomes
• Experience of working effectively with a range of educators, partners and wider stakeholders
•  A strong understanding of literacy and curriculum improvement, ideally writing pedagogy    

Quality Improvement for Senior Leaders Programme (1 post)

Apply for this role

To apply, please complete and submit the application form by  Friday 25 September 2026 at 3:00 pm. We are unable to accept late applications.  

About the role

The successful candidate will work closely with CYPIC to support the design, delivery and continuous improvement of a national professional learning programme for headteachers, depute headteachers and education system leaders. The Quality Improvement for Senior Leaders Programme supports senior leaders to apply improvement science, quality improvement methodology and evidence-informed decision-making to drive measurable improvements in outcomes for children and young people. 

The successful candidate will bring significant leadership experience, credibility with senior leaders and the ability to act as a trusted critical friend, supporting participants to translate improvement theory into strategic action within their own contexts.  The practical application of quality improvement and ability to ready teams for change will be central to this role. 

Emerging scheduling commitments indicate the successful candidate is likely to be required on numerous days between 9 November 2026 and 17 December 2026.

Essential criteria

• Significant and current experience (minimum 5 years) of working in Scottish education. This should include significant experience of leading and delivering strategic improvement at school, local authority or system level, with evidence of positive impact on outcomes for children and young people
• Demonstratable expertise in collaboration, improvement methodology and implementation, with a focus on outcomes for children and young people
•  Experience of facilitating professional learning with senior leaders and leading large-scale professional dialogue, including strategic and system thinking
• Ability to advise, lead and operate credibly with senior leaders, providing both challenge and support through effective critical friendship
• Expert communicator with skills in coaching and mentoring
• Experience of working effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including school leaders, local authority officers and national partners
• A commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people through evidence-informed leadership, behaviour change and improvement practice.