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- Tasks: Use data to shape policies and tackle real-world challenges in the rail sector.
- Company: Department for Transport, committed to innovation and public service.
- Benefits: Generous pension, 25 days leave, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team and enjoy a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on transport policy while developing your statistical skills.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience with data analysis and coding.
Department for Transport
📍 Location: Birmingham, Leeds, London (This role is suitable for hybrid working)
💷 Salary: National salary - £35,663, London salary - £39,533. A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
🕘️ Contract Type: Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
🏆️ Available Positions: 1
As Higher Statistical Officer, you will use official statistics, management information and big data to steer and develop policy and operational activities. You will directly influence key decisions, tackle real-world challenges, and play a pivotal part in shaping the future of our organisation.
You will also develop and maintain data tools for various customers, working with multiple teams across the Department, other public sector rail entities both internally and externally, and the Office of Rail and Road and Great British Railways.
Top Responsibilities
- Deliver high quality statistical advice including supporting drafting of ministerial briefings and statistical advice to Ministers, telling the story of the data in plain language to aid understanding.
- Extract and manipulate data from multiple existing data sources to enable complex new analysis, advising other analysts on suitability of data and best practice usage.
- Producing the rail passenger crowding statistical release (includes analysis, preparation of key facts, commentary, quality report, charts and tables, and layout work).
- Perform and document quality checks on familiar and new data sources and innovate new quality assurance processes to improve the quality of the team's data sources. Evaluate whether a data source is fit for purpose by making professional judgments on its suitability and relevance, ensuring quality issues and their implications are communicated to end users.
- Build and maintain working relationships with train operating companies (TOCs) to encourage the submission of high-quality data to the Department. Actively engage with TOCs to understand data collection processes and challenges, using influence to improve data quality by advocating best practice and empowering them to take ownership of data quality improvements.
Benefits
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
- 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.
About You
- Demonstrate exceptional communication skills, quickly building strong, constructive working relationships across teams and stakeholders.
- Demonstrable experience in transforming diverse evidence into clear, compelling, and actionable narratives.
- Skilled in using data visualization to highlight key messages and engage audiences effectively.
- Will have experience of at least one coding language (the ability to develop skills in R if this is not already known) and familiarity with best practices in reproducible analytical pipelines to ensure robust and efficient workflows.
- Be experienced in applying quality assurance processes proportionately to ensure all outputs are fit for purpose. Uphold quality standards for yourself and your team, adhering to the Code of Practice for Statistics, Aqua Book, and other relevant guidance.
Additional Information
You must be a member of the Government Statistical Group (GSG) or meet the eligibility requirements to join the GSG. If not already part of the Government Statistical Group, the successful candidate will be supported to gain professional membership once in post.
How to Apply
👉 Read the full description and apply at CS Jobs using the link provided. This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 3rd May 2026.
Rail Statistics - Higher Statistical Officer in Leeds employer: Department for Transport
Contact Detail:
Department for Transport Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Rail Statistics - Higher Statistical Officer in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in the Department for Transport on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to data analysis and statistical advice. We can even role-play with a friend to boost our confidence!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring examples of your previous work, especially any data visualisations or reports you've created. This will help us demonstrate our ability to tell a compelling story with data.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we can keep track of our application status easily!
We think you need these skills to ace Rail Statistics - Higher Statistical Officer in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Higher Statistical Officer. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to the team!
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since this role is all about data, don’t hold back on showcasing your experience with data manipulation and analysis. We love seeing examples of how you've turned complex data into clear insights!
Communicate Clearly: Remember, you’ll need to explain data in plain language. Use your application to demonstrate your exceptional communication skills. We’re looking for clarity and conciseness that makes your points easy to understand.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate – we promise!
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Transport
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a Higher Statistical Officer, you'll be working with complex data. Make sure you understand the datasets relevant to the role and can discuss their implications. Brush up on your coding skills, especially in R, and be ready to explain how you've used data to influence decisions in the past.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Exceptional communication skills are a must for this role. Practice explaining complex statistical concepts in simple terms. Prepare examples of how you've transformed data into compelling narratives that have driven action or policy changes.
✨Showcase Your Quality Assurance Knowledge
Quality assurance is key in this position. Be prepared to discuss your experience with quality checks and how you've ensured data integrity in previous roles. Highlight any innovative processes you've implemented to improve data quality.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
This role involves engaging with train operating companies and other stakeholders. Think of examples where you've successfully built relationships to improve data collection or quality. Show that you can advocate for best practices and empower others in their data responsibilities.