Analyst - Strategic Analysis

Job summary

We’re looking for a strategic thinker with a passion for tackling complex transport challenges. If you thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy delivering insights that shape decision-making at the highest levels we’d love to hear from you.

In this role, you will develop and deliver high-quality analytical insights across the transport portfolio, helping to shape strategic decisions through clear and innovative analysis. You will lead the development of a new Value for Money (VfM) database, ensuring VfM evidence is embedded at the heart of decision-making. You will also take forward work to understand and improve how the Department allocates its funding – and who benefits from that spend.

You will lead and support high-priority, time-limited projects across the Department, and work closely with the DfT Strategy Unit. You’ll also work closely with the Chief Analyst, informing high‑profile decisions across the directorate and wider Department.

The Strategic Analysis team is a multidisciplinary team of eight analysts within the Strategy and Environment Analysis division. Our work spans from long-term strategic thinking to the most pressing challenges facing the Department, for decision-makers.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

We’re a fun, inclusive, and supportive team that values diverse perspectives and a positive working environment. We have team members across regional offices.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at: Department for Transport Central - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Lead strategic, cross-modal analysis by expanding portfolio-level transport data through the Department’s Value for Money Database and develop high-impact portfolio analysis using these insights.
• Lead improvements to how the Department approaches regional spend: Build a new regional spend model, building on work done at SR25. Including developing methodologies to assess how ‘benefits’ of the Departments spend are distributed.
• Address key evidence gaps ahead of SR27, as identified through the Department’s evidence strategy. This will include producing analysis on a range of policy issues to inform decision-making.
• Provide project leadership across central and embedded teams, including Strategy Unit. Ensuring robust scoping of new and high-priority projects, carrying out internal and external engagement to build stakeholder buy in and clear communication of outputs. You will also provide important analytical input during key events such as Ministerial reshuffles, and Transport Select Committee appearances.
• Provide strategic and technical advice, working with others, to the Chief Analyst to support timely and well-informed decisions on key issues across the directorate, group, and department.
• Contribute to the wider analyst community by sharing best practices, managing junior analysts (where relevant), and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile attached. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

We are looking for:
A highly motivated and engaging analyst who offers strong support during challenging periods and actively fosters an inclusive team spirit. You will demonstrate effective decision‑making skills and enjoy taking proactive initiative to identify solutions, balancing attention to detail with the demands of fast‑paced delivery.

With excellent collaborative abilities, you will build constructive relationships within your own team, across other analytical groups, and with a wide range of policy makers across the Department.

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Leading and motivating staff, both within your team and beyond. The post requires strong leadership skills as you will need to inspire and support disparate teams to deliver stretching projects under scrutiny from senior officials in the Department.
• Communicate confidently and effectively to staff at all levels in your organisation, as well as to Senior Stakeholders, articulating complex analytical information clearly and concisely.
• A track record of producing the highest quality analytical work, bringing together a broad range of information and perspectives to reach well evidenced conclusions which support policy decision making.
• Knowledge of economic analysis, with an appreciation of the key levers and challenges open to Government Departments.

Additional Information

You will be assessed against one of the following analytical professions depending on your current professional membership, or your preference of which to join. Please click on the links below for more information and qualification requirements:

GES: Application of knowledge

GSR: Knowledge of research methods, techniques & application in complex projects

GSG: Statistical Strand 2: Data Analysis

GORS: Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

Travel to other offices may be required, which may also involve overnight stays.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

DfTc does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• The elements that you'll be assessed against will depend on the profession you are currently part of or want to join. Please refer to the role profile for more information on the technical elements that you'll be assessed against.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,515, Department for Transport contributes £16,662 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's skills, and potential fit within our organisation.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement

Stage 2: Interview

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1000-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:

• Leading and motivating staff, both within your team and beyond. The post requires strong leadership skills as you will need to inspire and support disparate teams to deliver stretching projects under scrutiny from senior officials in the Department.
• Communicate confidently and effectively to staff at all levels in your organisation, as well as to Senior Stakeholders, articulating complex analytical information clearly and concisely.
• A track record of producing the highest quality analytical work, bringing together a broad range of information and perspectives to reach well evidenced conclusions which support policy decision making.
• Knowledge of economic analysis, with an appreciation of the key levers and challenges open to Government Departments.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

The sift will take place between Wednesday 22nd April & Thursday 24th April 2026.

Stage 2: Interview and Technical Presentation

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Behaviours – Seeing the Big Picture, Leadership, Communicating & Influencing

• Technical - G7 level of your chosen profession.

You will be required to create and deliver a presentation during the interview. It will be assessed against the requirements at the G7 level of your chosen profession

The interviews will take place week commencing Monday 11th May 2026.

This interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

Further information on the selection process

We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit theHow We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

All External applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as:

Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour

Threats or acts of violence

Illegal activity or substance misuse

Sexually explicit material

Extremist views or affiliations

Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public.

Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. It’s not about judging your personality or lifestyle—it’s about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture.

If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail what’s being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Shiv Haria
• Email : shiv.haria@dft.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here

Attachments

Role Profile Opens in new window (pdf, 220kB)