Strategic Modelling & Appraisal Analyst (Permanent)

Job Description

Strategic Modelling & Appraisal Analyst (Permanent) 

Position Type: Full Time 

Job Title: Strategic Modelling & Appraisal Analyst (Permanent) 

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 plus excellent benefits package 

Location: Southwark / Stratford (London) & remote working (hybrid)

Contract Type: Full time or part time 

Overview of role 

You will contribute to analysis evaluating the effectiveness and impacts of multi-modal strategic transport interventions, policies & strategies using a range of analytical & statistical methods. This can include mathematical modelling, data science techniques, survey design, research & Geographic Information Systems.    

Uncertainty brought about by the pandemic has made forecasting future transport demand a priority for TfL and for London. Travel behaviour in London could change significantly from previously established trends built up over the last 20 years, so we are looking for people who can ask questions and find innovative ways to better understand travel demand. We are seeking two Strategic Analysts to join our team, one focussing on multi-modal demand modelling, the other on highway modelling: 

1.    A core part of the Demand Modelling team’s work is the application, maintenance and development of MoTiON, TfL’s multi-modal demand model, built in CUBE Voyager. Our models are used to assess the impact of population and employment growth, economic and behavioural change, and transport schemes on multi-modal transport demand. They are used to identify problems that need to be addressed in pursuit of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy goals, and to test policy and transport infrastructure interventions to help TfL meet these goals. MoTiON has been used extensively over the past year to forecast then evaluate pandemic demand, and post-pandemic future travel scenarios for London. 

2.    The Highway Modelling team sits within Streets Analysis. We are a group of transport planners, modellers and analysts who lead the modelling and analysis of multi-modal strategies and interventions on London’s streets. We analyse data to help understand how and why people and vehicles (personal, hired, public and freight) move around London’s streets. This includes considering the impact of new infrastructure or major schemes such as new cycle lanes, bridges, or houses, and what this will mean for the future. Our main models are LoHAM (built in SATURN) and CYNEMON (in CUBE). 

To strengthen our busy teams, we are looking for people with an interest in using mathematical models to explore data and trends to improve future forecasts. Ideally you will have knowledge of modelling in transport or a similar discipline. Training will be provided to strengthen your skills in this area. If you enjoy problem-solving and want to develop experience in translating data/analysis into insight to guide the business, these roles may suit you! We have set out the key accountabilities and skills, knowledge, experience below as a guide for what we’re interested in. Contact Tim (timprice@tfl.gov.uk) if you’d like to find out more.  

Key Accountabilities 
1. Help in delivering projects relating to TfL's strategic transport models, particularly demand, land-use, or highway models, making connections between complex sets of data / and models to drive understanding of transport trends and influence future policies, programmes, and scheme development.  
2. Give relevant, timely, informed, and high-quality advice, data, modelling & analysis to influence strategy and investment decisions relating to the Mayor's Transport Strategy for City Planning's Leadership Team.  
3. Help with the specification, design, delivery, interpretation and dissemination of complex mathematical models, data, and analysis to time and to budget using innovative techniques to meet emerging policy needs.  
4. Help in improving our tools and models and develop skills in coding/programming to help deliver new insight or efficiencies through improved automation. 
5. Be willing to work in matrix teams (made up of people from different teams) to support project requirements.  
6. Work collaboratively with stakeholders inside & outside TfL (e.g. DfT, GLA, Boroughs, developers, consultants) & support the provision of professional advice through briefings, reports & evidence on work areas; provide information to the media and to Assembly Members in response to Mayor's Questions & the public in response to Freedom of Information requests. 

Skills, Knowledge & Experience 

Skills 
• Excellent analytical and numeracy skills.  
• An understanding of modelling principles, process, and application.  
• Interest in demand and / or highway modelling. Skills in variable demand modelling and/or highway assignment modelling (ideally using CUBE Voyager and/or SATURN) are desirable but not essential. 
• An appreciation of processes and guidance available for model development including the Department for Transport’s Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG).  
• Good communication skills, the ability to communicate technical information in everyday language.  
• Skills in programming or coding such as using R, VBA or Python are desirable.  
• Skills in GIS and the application of 3D data visualisation tools to help present model outputs are desirable but not essential. 

Knowledge 
• A degree in a relevant discipline or proven equivalent level of experience.
• An appreciation of appraisal and evaluation process and modelling methods, ideally multi-modal strategic demand models and / or highway modelling. 
• Good knowledge of data required to support models & analysis. Knowledge of statistical methods and relevant software is desirable.  
• Knowledge and application of GIS and programming is desirable.   
• An understanding of project management and procurement processes.  
• An understanding of current traffic and transport policies and issues within London, and an understanding of the short- and long-term transport, health, and environmental challenges in London. 
• Some understanding of the workings of large organisations and the public policy making process. 
• A basic understanding of best practice approaches to transport strategy development. 

Experience 
• Experience or ability to work on analytical / modelling studies to inform policy, strategy and scheme development. 
• Some experience of the public policy process (desirable but not essential). 
• Experience or ability to undertake work programmes to required standards, budgets, and timescales.  
• Experience or ability to disseminate research, modelling & analysis using reports, graphics, presentations & presenting orally.
• Some experience of dealing with and briefing senior managers (desirable but not essential). 
• Ability to work with consultants or experience of working with clients from consultancy side.  

Equality & Diversity 
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair. 

Application Process 
Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your CV and cover letter. Word format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. If you don’t meet all requirements but like the sound of the role, please still consider applying. 

The closing date for applications is Sunday 5 June 2022 @ 23:59 
Interviews will take place by the end of June and will consist of a 1.5-hour interview with a panel of 2 or 3 people. It will include competency-based and technical questions. 

Benefits  
In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow.  Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include: 

•    Final salary pension scheme 
•    Free travel for you on the TfL network 
•    A 75% discount on National Rail Season Ticket and interest free loan 
•    29/30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays (delete one)
•    Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional) 
•    Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
•    Retail, health, leisure and travel offers 
•    Discounted Eurostar travel