SEO Transport Environment Analyst

Department for Transport; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency focused on transport is seeking an experienced analyst to build the evidence base on transport's environmental impacts. The ideal candidate will possess a strong analytical background to inform strategic government decisions. Responsibilities include leading analysis on environmental impacts and developing guidance for transport operators. This role offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities for flexible working.

Benefits

28.97% employer pension contribution

25 days annual leave, increasing with service

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience in economic analysis with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Understanding of environmental impact assessment.
• Expertise in leading analysis and presenting findings.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead analysis on transport's impact on the environment.
• Conduct research on environmental policies and targets.
• Develop tools and guidance for transport operators.

Skills

Building strong evidence base

Analytical tool development

Multi-disciplinary analysis

Effective communication

Education

First or upper second-class honours degree in economics or highly numerate subject

Postgraduate degree in relevant field

Tools

Statistical software

Economic appraisal tools

Job description

Can you build a strong evidence base to inform decision making?

Do you have experience of developing, using and scrutinising analytical tools?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

DfT is a high-profile department at the heart of UK government. We work with agencies and partners to support the transport network that helps businesses and gets people and goods travelling around the country. We plan and invest to make journeys better.

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!

Reducing the environmental impacts of transport will be vital to meeting legally-binding environmental targets. In 2023, 49% of nitrogen oxides and 26% of fine particulate matter emissions came from domestic transport. It is also important to ensure that the transport system is resilient to climate change. Weather-related delays on the rail system already cost the economy around £200-300m per year. Transport operators are also major landowners, with the combined estates of Network Rail and National Highways roughly equivalent to twice the size of the Isle of Wight.

We are looking to recruit an experienced analyst to build the evidence base on how transport impacts the environment and is impacted by climate change to inform government strategy and investment decisions. The role is a great opportunity to gain experience working on long-term, cross-modal, strategic issues and collaborating with analysts from other professions and departments. The role involves applying multidisciplinary analytical skills including economic appraisal, modelling, statistics, and research delivery.

The role sits in the Environment Strategy Analysis team, within the Strategy and Environment Analysis Division. Here, team members provide vital analysis on strategic transport matters. The role supports the Environment and Adaptation Strategy (EAST) Division, a team of around 20 policy officials leading DfT's environmental strategy. The postholder will work in a team of three analysts supporting EAST, led by one Grade 7 and one other SEO.

We are looking to recruit someone who is either an existing member of the Government Economics Service (GES), Government Operational Research Service (GORs) and Government Statistical Service (GSS) or an experienced analyst who meets the minimum requirements for one of these professions. If the successful applicant is not an existing Civil Servant, they will be expected to pass a ‘badging exercise’ to join one of these professions within six months of taking up the post.

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

• Designing and leading analysis to understand transport's impact on the environment and the impact of climate-related damage and disruption to the sector.
• Undertaking analysis on the impact of environmental policies and targets on the transport sector.
• Developing tools, evidence and guidance to help transport operators better understand the benefits of measures to enhance the environment and increase climate resilience.
• The job will involve a substantial amount of delivering through others, for example commissioning research and working closely with modal teams and other departments.

For further information on the role, please read the attached 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 a capable analyst with experience of scoping out and leading multi-disciplinary analysis to build a strong evidence base, to inform and appraise future policy decisions, whilst managing a busy portfolio of work.

This role is open to existing members of the Government Economics Service (GES), Government Operational Research Service (GORS) and Government Statistical Service (GSS) and analysts meeting the minimum requirements for at least one of these professions. If the successful postholder is not an existing member of a Government Analytical profession they will be expected to pass a ‘badging exercise’ to demonstrate they have the technical skills for their relevant profession within 6 months of starting the job (with at maximum two attempts).

The minimum entry requirements for the GES, GORs and GSS are as follows.

To join the GES as a full or associated 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 degree, at least 50% of the course modules must be in economics;
• have studied both macroeconomics and microeconomics;
• be a civil servant or be on Civil Service terms and conditions; and
• be in an economics role at the time of joining or have previously been a member of the GES and have chief economist support for re-joining.

The minimum requirements for the GORs are:

• you have, or expect to have, a 2:1 or higher degree or degree apprenticeship in a highly numerate degree subject; or
• you have, or expect to have, a 2:2 or higher degree and a highly numerate postgraduate degree.

The minimum requirements for statistical posts in the Government Statistical Service are:

• a first-class or second-class honours degree in a numerate subject (2:1 minimum for Assistant Statistician and 2:2 minimum for Statistical Officer) containing at least 25% taught statistical content (for example, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography, or similar); or
• a higher degree, such as an MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (for example. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography, or similar).

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications/licenses at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

Required experience:

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

• Experience of building a strong evidence base to inform decision making, including scoping out and leading multi-disciplinary analysis.
• Experience of developing, using and scrutinising analytical tools for the purposes of assessing the impacts of policy proposals.
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicating key messages and findings from complicated and incomplete evidence.

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 12th October 2025