About the job

Job summary

The transport landscape in the UK is complex. DfT sits at its heart, facilitating large and long-term policy and investment decisions, and working to improve transport and its performance for the user. DfT’s Chief Analyst is critical to this mission, ensuring ministers and the Accounting Officers have the evidence base to ensure money is spent efficiently, policies are well-targeted, benefits are likely to be achieved with risk minimised, and the Department’s performance optimised.

Job description

At the Department for Transport (DfT) we’re working to improve every kind of journey.  We’re harnessing new technology to create safer, more sustainable transport. And, creating better connections between people and places, we’re enabling greater growth opportunities for communities UK-wide.  It means that here, you are part of something very different and special. DfT and our agencies employ around 15,000 staff, of whom about 3800 are in the core Department, and we have the largest and most complex capital project portfolio in Government, delivered principally through delivery partners including Network Rail, HS2 Ltd and National Highways.

DfT has a strong analytical community currently numbering around 400 across five professions (economics, operational research, social research, statistics and
transport modelling). In addition to the core professions, we have disciplinary expertise in evaluation, data science, data analytics, data management and behavioural insights.  Analysis is widely respected within DfT, and it has a real influence on strategic, operational and policy-related decisions across the Department.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play an important leadership role within a major government department. Our Chief Analyst leads a highly skilled team of 95 analysts which advises on all facets of transport policy and delivery – and provides the underlying framework and tools for decision-making. You will act as lead advisor to the Department and our ministers on all aspects of our analysis and data, providing high quality professional advice and judgement. In addition to the central analyst team, the Chief Analyst provides professional leadership for another 300 professional analysts embedded in Directorates across the Department. The role is based within the Decarbonisation, Technology and Strategy Group which is led by the Second Permanent Secretary, Jo Shanmugalingam who also directly line manages the Department’s Chief Analyst. 

The DfT is looking for an outstanding leader and experienced economist who will bring:

• The insight and leadership to deliver high quality analytical and economic advice that will inform major policy decisions and value for money judgements on multi-billion-pound projects;
• An ability to influence at the most senior levels and to provide clarity and direction on strategic issues.
• A strong grasp of wider analyst professions and an ability to foster a culture of excellent cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Experience of deploying and embedding innovative analytical and data capabilities and working with policy and analytical teams to realise the benefits.

The DfT encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates, backgrounds, and professional experience.  

For further information or to apply, please visit www.odgers.com/91169

Applications close: Monday 15th April

For a confidential discussion, please speak to our advisors on:

Caitlin Tickell

Caitlin.Tickell@odgersberndtson.com

+442037442040

+447773613801

Laura Spurgin

Laura.Spurgin@odgersberndtson.com

+44 20 7529 1072

Tim Roberts

Tim.roberts@odgersberndtson.com

+44 207 529 6308

+44 7970 906199

Person specification

You will need to be able to show, through your application, that you have the professional skills, breadth of experience and personal qualities for this post, as well as the leadership skills to succeed at Director level in the Senior Civil Service.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their experience and skills against the following essential criteria:

• Significant experience of leading analysis to inform and influence strategic planning and policy development.
• Deep expertise in a relevant profession, and enough economics expertise to oversee and advise on value for money judgements on multi-billion-pound projects;
• An ability to influence at the most senior levels and to provide clarity and direction on strategic issues.
• A strong grasp of analyst professions and an ability to foster a culture of excellent cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Highly developed leadership skills including the ability to build, inspire and develop high performing inclusive teams, creating an environment of challenge, continuous improvement and openness to new approaches.
• Experience of deploying and embedding innovative analytical and data capabilities and working with policy and analytical teams to realise the benefits.

We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates At DfT, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfT, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £120,000, Department for Transport contributes £32,400 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Application

To apply for this post, please visit www.odgers.com/91169.

Closing dates for applications will be no later than 9am Monday 15th April 2024.

The application will include:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A Statement of Suitability (no longer than1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say’. All monitoring data will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be provided to
the selection panel.

Should you encounter any issues with your application please get in touch with ellie.Barrett@berwickpartners.co.uk

For a confidential discussion to help inform your application, please contact our recruitment advisors at Berwick Partners

Caitlin Tickell
Caitlin.Tickell@odgersberndtson.com
+44203 744 2040
+44777 361 3801

Laura Spurgin
Laura.Spurgin@odgersberndtson.com
+44 207 529 1072

Tim Roberts
Tim.Roberts@odgersberndtson.com
+44207 529 6308
+44797 090 6199

Longlist
The panel will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the essential criteria set out in the ‘Person Specification’ section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.

The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter. Candidates selected for longlisting will be invited for a preliminary discussion with Berwick Partners to further explore their skills and experience.

Candidates applying under the Disability Confident, Redeployment or Veterans Scheme who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview. Please complete the relevant parts in the application system if applying under these schemes.

Shortlist
The panel will review reports on those longlisted and will select a shortlist of candidates whose applications best demonstrate suitability for the role, by considering the evidence provided against the essential criteria set out in the Personal Specification.

Assessment
If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in the following assessments :
• Individual Leadership Assessment – a combination of psychometric assessments
• Staff Engagement Exercise - a presentation and Q&A with a representative staff group from across the DfT.

These assessments will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, they are designed to support the panel’s decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview.

Informal Discussions
Shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to speak to Jo Shanmugalingam prior to the final interview. This is an informal discussion to allow candidates to
learn more about the role and is not part of the assessment process

Interview

You will be asked to attend a panel interview where you will be asked to give a presentation and then have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Interviews are expected to take place face to face in our London office.

Outcome and Feedback
Unfortunately, due to the anticipated number of applicants for this role, we are unable to provide feedback to those not successful at longlist stage. 

Expected Timeline
We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews. You are therefore asked to note the below timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process, in order to meet the dates given. Please note that these dates may be subject to change.

The anticipated timetable is as follows:
Advert Closing Date - 9am Monday 15th April 2024
Longlist - 24th April 2024
Shortlist - w/c10th May 2024
Assessments - w/c 13th and 20th May 2024
Panel Interviews - w/c 3rd June 2024

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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.