Job summary
Can you lead robust economic analysis and modelling to support SAF policy, including revenue certainty mechanism and SAF mandate policy development?
Do you have experience using Excel and R to analyse data, communicate insights, and influence senior policy decision-making?
If so, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Climate change is one of the biggest and most pressing challenges facing Governments across the world. In this role you will be at the heart of the Department’s strategy to accelerate the shift to greener transport, and drive more sustainable travel behaviours, to ensure that transport plays its part in meeting this challenge.
Domestic transport remained the UK’s largest emitting sector in 2024, responsible for 30% of territorial emissions. Transport was responsible for 37% of total UK emissions when including UK international aviation and shipping bunkers (IAS). In recognition of the need to go further and faster and deliver against the ambitious Net Zero objectives, we are looking to recruit a Grade 7 economist or operational researcher to lead on analysis and modelling related to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and the Revenue Certainty Mechanism. Low carbon fuels are central to meet government’s Net Zero objectives: this is a high-profile policy area, with ongoing policy development and strong interest from a wide range of stakeholders. This is a stretching G7 role and the postholder will have the chance to conduct complex and innovative modelling to influence key policy decisions to support the UK’s path to Net Zero.
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 DfTc: Department for Transport Central - Department for Transport Careers
Job description
In this role you will lead the development of analysis related to SAF Mandate and Revenue Certinaty Mechanism, including consider the case for and potential design for these schemes, and appraising the case for government support to the growing SAF industry.
You will be part of Strategy and Environment Analysis Division, working in the Low Carbon Fuels (LCF) Analysis Team – a high-performing and dynamic team of analysts responsible for providing timely and robust analysis and specialist advice to the LCF and SAF policy team, that sits in the Low Carbon Fuels Directorate.
There is a wide and varied program of work, and as a core member of LCF Analysis team you will have the opportunity to work with colleagues across the full range of policy areas. We are a friendly team, currently made of economists, statisticians and operational researchers.
Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:
- Deliver analysis related to the introduction of a revenue certainty mechanism (RCM) for the SAF industry: The government has committed to introduce a revenue certainty scheme as part of the UK’s world leading SAF programme. You will work collaboratively with the rest of the LCF analysis team to deliver the analytical work supporting the development and implementation of this mechanism. You will be responsible the development of consultancy analytical work in this policy area.
- Provide advice to inform the policy development around the SAF Mandate: You will provide economic advice and analysis on measures and potential changes to the SAF Mandate – this includes appraisals, options assessments, as well as working with academics to develop LCF price forecasts and quantify the impact of new technologies on production costs.
- Collaborating effectively across a number of different teams and stakeholders: You will also be required to form strong working relationships and collaborate closely with departments across Government such as Defra, DESNZ, DBT, HMT, No 10, as well as teams across DfT to ensure that the best available evidence underpins decision-making. You may also be required to collaborate with organisations outside of central Government including academia and industry bodies to gather the latest evidence and market intelligence.
- Communicating evidence and analysis: You will need to communicate complex and technical evidence and analysis to influence policy colleagues and senior decision makers across You will be responsible for presenting recommendations and ensuring the appropriate use of evidence in decision-making. This will require you to work closely with policy colleagues and be an integral member of the wider relevant policy team
- Providing analytical leadership and support to the wider analytical team: As a Grade 7 analyst you will be a senior member of the team, and will support the successful delivery of robust, influential and timely analysis and build capability through the sharing of best practice and knowledge.
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
This role is suitable for an economist or operational researcher with experience of developing, using and scrutinising analytical models for the purposes of forecasting and/or assessing the impacts of policy proposals. This technical expertise needs to be balanced by softer skills, as the role involves regular contact with policy, legal and other analysis in DfT and across Whitehall, including senior decision-makers, to make progress on policy development in an innovative and dynamic area.
We are looking for someone who is proficient in modelling using Excel and R, and who can undertake appropriate Quality Assurance in accordance with Aqua Book guidance.
The successful candidate will also be able to analyse and handle data for the purposes of producing evidence to advise decision-makers. You will be able to simply explain key assumptions feeding into analytical models and understand and interpret the outputs for the purposes of providing supporting evidence to policy makers.
You will be able to build effective working relationships with non-analytical colleagues and other analytical professions, to facilitate continuous discourse and build mutual understanding of how to work together.
To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
- Experience in applying a range of analytical techniques. Proficiency in Excel modelling is required, while other coding skills (e.g., Python and R) are Ability to carry out Quality Assurance in line with Aqua Book.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to handle and interpret complex and incomplete data to support senior decision-makers. This includes having experience of designing, maintaining and improving analytical models, as well as being able to apply judgement to define assumptions and communicate risks and limitations of decisions to senior staff.
- Proven ability to build effective working relationships with both analytical and non- analytical colleagues across departments and externally. Ability to overcome disagreement and work collaboratively towards shared objectives.
- Experience of working across multiple workstreams at pace, prioritising effectively and without sacrificing quality.
Additional Information
Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements
Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.
Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.
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.
Visa Sponsorship
DfTc does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.
Qualifications
For Economists:You must be a full member of the Government Economic Service (GES) or demonstrate you would be eligible for full members ship of the GES to apply for this role, and you must be able to demonstrate you have knowledge and experience of applying the GES Competencies.
This role is open to those that are already members of the Government Economic Service (GES) or those who are eligible to become part of the GES profession. To be for full and associate GES membership, you must have a first or upper second-class honours degree in economics (or international equivalent), or a postgraduate degree in economics. If it is a joint economics degree, at least 50% of the total course credits must be in economics.
For Operational Researchers:
You must be a full member of the Government Operational Research Service (GORS) or demonstrate you would be eligible for full membership of the GORS to apply for this role, and you must be able to demonstrate you have knowledge and experience of applying the GORS Competencies.
This role is open to those that are already members of the Government Operational Research (GORS) profession or those who are eligible to become part of the GORS profession: GORS accepted qualifications to apply are a highly numerate degree (minimum 2:1, or a 2:2 with relevant work experience or a postgraduate qualification), at least half of which must be from one or more of these or similar subjects:
-Operational Research Mathematics
-Physics Econometrics
-Engineering or Management Sciences
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
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.
- 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
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 and presentation
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
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:
- Experience in applying a range of analytical techniques. Proficiency in Excel modelling is required, while other coding skills (e.g., Python and R) are Ability to carry out Quality Assurance in line with Aqua Book.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to handle and interpret complex and incomplete data to support senior decision-makers. This includes having experience of designing, maintaining and improving analytical models, as well as being able to apply judgement to define assumptions and communicate risks and limitations of decisions to senior staff.
- Proven ability to build effective working relationships with both analytical and non- analytical colleagues across departments and externally. Ability to overcome disagreement and work collaboratively towards shared objectives.
- Experience of working across multiple workstreams at pace, prioritising effectively and without sacrificing quality.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the experience criteria "Strong analytical skills, with the ability to handle and interpret complex and incomplete data to support senior decision-makers. This includes having experience of designing, maintaining and improving analytical models, as well as being able to apply judgement to define assumptions and communicate risks and limitations of decisions to senior staff." Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The sift will take place week commencing 18/05/2026.
Stage 2 - Interview
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
- Behaviours - Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
- Technical
You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation to assess your technical skills. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.
The interviews will take place week commencing 01/06/2026.
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 (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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service within the last 12 months, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage.
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
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 : Alice Maurizi
- Email : alice.maurizi@dft.gov.uk
Recruitment team
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.ukIf 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, 255kB)Salary range
- £57,515 per year