Principal analyst, Freight data analytics and modelling

Job summary

Can you lead complex analytical programmes and develop innovative freight modelling and data solutions that shape national transport decisions?

Do you enjoy using evidence, data and stakeholder engagement to solve complex transport challenges and influence policy?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

This is an exciting time to join the world of freight and logistics. Every item of food on a supermarket shelf, box of medicine at a pharmacy and high-tech machine part in the UK has had a fascinating journey to get to its destination. Recent years have seen extraordinary innovation in how that happens but also revealed how fragile critical supply chains can be when there are shocks.

Freight and Borders (FAB) is a single point of leadership representing the interests of the Department for Transport and working closely with the freight and logistics sector to support the UK’s current and future border arrangements and the thousands of supply chains across the country that depend upon the continued flow of goods..

FAB is a fast-paced and dynamic environment where you will have the opportunity to be part of a fantastic team supporting and influencing the policy and delivery of some of the Government’s highest priorities. If you want to be part of a team whose work has an impact on millions of people’s lives across the country, we want to hear from you.

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.

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

The post is based in Multimodal and Road Freight Analysis team (MRFA) within the Freight and Borders Analysis (FABA) division. The team works very closely with its multimodal and road policy teams and consists of analysts from multiple analytical professions, with strong ways of working across those professions. In addition, with its multimodal focus, the division works regularly with modal analyst teams across DfT as well as the central analytical divisions.

This role will provide you with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lead a step change in the department’s modelling capability on freight, with huge implications for policy and the department’s investments. You will co-lead the development of new in-house National Freight Model (NFM), working closely with colleagues across the Transport Appraisal and Strategic Modelling team (TASM) in the central Analysis Directorate.

You will be managing a multi-million pound project, with the opportunity to lead cutting-edge consultancies and develop modelling/data innovations as part of the wider freight data and insights programme.

A core element of this role will be leading the data strategy for the model. The new model will give the chance to revolutionise the department’s freight data and to develop innovative new datasets on Light Goods Vehicles usage, port inland movements, commodity flows, etc. You will identify data needs; lead and manage the collection and procurement of datasets; and coordinate inputs from a range of internal and external sources to support the development of this new freight evidence base.

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

• Co-lead the management of a complex modelling programme delivered through external contracts, ensuring outputs meet strategic objectives.
• Lead the data strategy for the model by developing innovative new datasets on Light Goods Vehicles usage, port inland movements, commodity flows, etc.
• Promote and champion the use of evidence and analysis in policy, as a visible analytical leader. Engage with senior policy and analyst colleagues to support effective decisions through your advice, even where the evidence is uncertain.
• Oversee delivery plans, tracking progress against milestones, and managing risks, dependencies, and stakeholder engagement across multiple workstreams.
• Manage contractors and commissioned work, including overseeing delivery against contractual outputs, and ensuring quality, value for money and alignment with programme objectives.
• Manage the acquisition, governance, and use of complex datasets, ensuring compliance with data protection, legal and commercial requirements.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders, coordinating across multiple parties to deliver coherent outputs.
• Oversee programme governance, including monitoring progress, budgets, and milestones, and providing clear reporting to senior leaders.
• Communicate with impact to senior policy colleagues and senior analysts, using the best available evidence and analysis and Forward plan to identify future evidence needs.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. 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’re looking for people who bring passion, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. If you enjoy solving problems, thinking creatively, and working with colleagues from different backgrounds to deliver meaningful insights, you’ll fit right in. With your strong technical capabilities, you will drive change, improve how we analyse transport, clearly communicate impacts to a range of audiences, and confidently bring your own perspective to discussions. You should have a strong interest in managing high profile analytical projects.

We know great analysis comes from teams with a wide mix of experiences. We welcome applications from people with a variety of analytical backgrounds and skills in transport modelling, operational research, statistics and economics.

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

• Working with large datasets in complex data environments.
• Effective analytical project management, including managing complexity (e.g. prioritisation of tasks, working with incomplete data sets) and ensuring appropriate and proportionate quality assurance checks are implemented.
• Building and managing effective working relationships with people from a range of disciplines and across organisational boundaries.
• Communicating complex technical subjects to a range of audiences, including senior stakeholders.
• Applying quantitative and computational approaches to understand complex systems, solve challenging problems, and deliver robust analytical insights.
• Critically evaluating analytical methods, assumptions and evidence, with an appreciation of uncertainty and the appropriate interpretation of outputs.
• Identifying opportunities to improve analytical methods, processes and tools to enhance efficiency, consistency and insight generation.

Additional Information

The successful applicant will be able to take up this post from 01 April 2027.

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:

• DfT Transport Modeller and Planner Skills Framework
• GSG
• GES
• GORS

Applicants may be eligible for an annual £5,000 analyst retention allowance for this role, which is paid monthly, and subject to regular review.

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.

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

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.

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
• Managing a Quality Service
• 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 £59,816, Department for Transport contributes £17,328 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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.

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.

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:

• Applying quantitative and computational approaches to understand complex systems and datasets, solve challenging problems, and deliver robust analytical insights.
• Effective analytical project management, including managing complexity (e.g. prioritisation of tasks, working with incomplete data sets) and ensuring appropriate and proportionate quality assurance checks are implemented.
• Building and managing effective working relationships across disciplines and organisational boundaries, utilising good communication of complex technical subjects to a range of audiences, including senior stakeholders.
• Critically evaluating and improving analytical methods, data, assumptions, processes and tools, with an appreciation of uncertainty and the appropriate interpretation of outputs, to enhance efficiency, consistency and insight generation.

The sift will take place from 27th October 2026.

Stage 2: Interview

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

• Behaviours - Seeing the Big Picture, Managing a Quality Service, Communicating and Influencing.
• Experience
• 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, as stated in your personal statement.

The interviews will take place from the 11th November 2026.

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

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site.

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

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.

During your application, you should indicate which location(s) you wish to be considered for and, if successful, you will be placed on an individual list of candidates for each location. Candidates will be held on that list and drawn from it in merit order. We advise you to carefully consider which locations you wish to be considered for. If you decline an offer for a location you have expressed a preference in or have expressed an interest in more than one location and accept an offer, you will be withdrawn from any lists you may be held on. We may also offer candidates a location that they have not expressed a preference for where we have the requirement to do so but this will again be done on the basis of your place in the overall merit order and, in this event, you will not be removed from the list if you decline.

Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit. If you are successful in the selection process but there are no further available posts for the advertised role, you may be contacted to discuss an offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements).

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

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

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

If you are unsuccessful in the selection process, your application may be considered for a lower graded position if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. Candidates will be considered in order of merit.

If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage depending on the nature of the dismissal.

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 basic (or equivalent) 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 : Elliot Morgan
• Email : Elliot.morgan@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 - Principal Analyst Opens in new window (pdf, 301kB)