Statistical Officer

We recognise the challenges that people with protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

Are you someone who is looking to work with Big Data and geography in innovative ways?

Can you communicate clearly and confidently with internal and external stakeholders, relaying information and sharing best practice?

Do you have experience working with large datasets using coding languages, and of presenting and visualising results for different audiences?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about developing and maintaining an evidence base, using advanced data processing and geography techniques to produce publications. This will include finding innovative ways of providing insight to policy and analyst colleagues, as well as assessing new potential data processes for the team and Department for Transport.

The role would fit someone looking to work with Big Data and geography in innovative ways at the heart of Government policy and people’s lives. Congestion statistics rely on over a billion pieces of data a month. The role involves running a monthly data ingest and processing cycle, managing deadlines and ensuring that the Code of Practice for statistics is followed.

The role offers an opportunity to develop analytical and coding skills in an area that looks at large datasets using advanced processing tools. The team is always trying to find additional ways to enhance their dissemination, through maps, presentations and outputs. The team has recently upgraded its online interactive maps and created GIFs of congestion data for its most recent annual release and would like to continue developing its offering.

The role would also involve working with several stakeholders across the department feeding into key policy areas such as Freight vehicles, Road Investment Strategy, Electric Vehicles and other external stakeholders projects. You will liaise with colleagues in National Highways, sub-national transport bodies and local highways authorities about methodologies and analytical outputs, sharing best practice and encouraging engagement.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Running the data ingest and processing cycle through a reproducible analytical pipeline, keeping to timescales as data is moved from receipt and then delivered to publication colleagues, whilst maintaining process notes that assist in scrutinising data quality.
• Using GIS tools to aid in the analysis and dissemination of statistical data, such as maintaining the teams interactive mapping applications or exploring spatial relationships between the GPS data and other data sources.
• Supporting work on innovative data warehouse solutions to transfer and store large datasets >1.5 billion records each month.
• Creating own bespoke analysis for colleagues across the Department, previous work has included analysing harsh braking incidents with the Road Safety team.
• Maintaining close working relationships with external data providers and National Highways to align priorities, manage service by proactively exchanging data and insights.

For further information, please see the attached Role Profile.

We are looking for someone who has exceptional communication skills and can express themselves in a confident and concise manner with colleagues at all levels. You will represent the department both professionally and clearly, ensuring key messages are delivered to both internal and external stakeholders in a timely fashion. You will have good drafting skills with the ability to produce high quality documents.

You will be someone who naturally enjoys working collaboratively with different business areas and likes the challenge of influencing others to achieve business outcomes. You can build rapport quickly with both internal and external stakeholders which enables you to build solid working relationships.

You will have experience manipulating and extracting data, from gathering and analysis through to design and presentation.

Additional Information

A minimum of 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace, although requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another DfT workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance.

Occasional travel to other DfT offices may be required.

If you are not a current member of the Government Statistical Service and are successful in this recruitment campaign, you will be required to complete a statistical test whilst in post if you are successful. We will provide you with the support and training you need to support you with completing this test whilst in post.

• A first or second-class honours degree in a numerate subject containing at least 25% taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography, or similar)

• A higher degree, e.g. an MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Data Science, Psychology, Geography or similar)

• Have worked in a statistical or data science field for a minimum of two years and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development in applying statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (level five)

• Have achieved or on track to achieve a level 4 apprenticeship including at least 2 years in a statistical/data analysis field in government and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development in statistics/data analysis

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

• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

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

• Government Statistical Group competency Framework - Statistical Strand 1: Acquiring data and understanding customer needs.
• Government Statistical Group competency Framework - Statistical Stand 2: Data analysis.
• Government Statistical Group competency Framework - Statistical Stand 3: Presenting and disseminating data effectively.

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport .

Job contact :

Recruitment team