Analysis and Modelling Specialist

The role of Analysis and Modelling Specialist is a critical role in ensuring England's Economic Heartland, on behalf of partners is providing a credible analytical approach on which to develop our analytical capability and investment propositions.

The role oversees a wide range of transport planning and appraisal areas. The role will be responsible for supporting a consortium including academic and consultancy partners to development a regional transport model levering emerging AI technologies. EEH's role in the delivery of this work is to provide product (end user) feedback, model specification support and wider stakeholder engagement and management support inputting into to the technical development team.

The outcome will enable EEH to enhance our business case development and ensure our investments in infrastructure are prioritised in a way that can balance the need for economic growth and connectivity alongside our commitments to the environment., The successful post holder will be responsible for developing EEH's analytical capability. This will involve liaison with technical officers from across the region - central and local government analytical teams and working with the wider STB analysis teams. They will be required to operate with credibility and authority across these sectors. The role requires regular engagement and collaboration at a senior level with Government departments.

As well as supporting the core requirements to deliver the AI innovation program, the candidate will feed into the development of EEH's nascent analytical framework and analytical capability that will provide the robust evidence needed to support the successful delivery of our transport strategy and strategic investment plan.

You will need to use your expert technical, specialist knowledge and experience of transport modeling to effectively engage with and senior representatives from our project partners, the Department for Transport, other sub-national transport bodies, Local authorities, and delivery agencies such as National Highways, Network Rail and other key stakeholders.

You will work directly with analysts at the Department for Transport, ensuring that the emerging regional analytical approach is compliant with government requirements (Greenbook /TAG) and will engage with EEH's local transport authorities in understanding their emerging use cases and modelling tools.

You'll have significant experience of the transport modelling and analysis needed to support the development of a strategic model and the data required to implement and deploy.

England's Economic Heartland is a collaborative partnership and the post holder will need to establish, develop and maintain strong working relationships and frequently present at conferences and events on behalf of the partnership.

Mobile:

A 'mobile' role gives you the flexibility to schedule your own diary, so you can meet with colleagues and clients in a variety of locations. You'll access digital folders and resources on your laptop and be able to use the network wherever you are based. Working from home will be common, as well as meeting your team in the office where necessary.,

• Take a lead in engaging with the wider STB community and analytical teams to understand the opportunities associated with developing a 'common analytical framework' and the role that the outcome of this work can play in accelerating model development.


• Provide support to EEH leadership team and take a lead role in working with Transport for the North to understand the benefits associated with developing a common analytical framework (CAF) across the STB's, providing specialist knowledge and expertise to ensure that the CAF is fit for purpose.


• Responsibility for representing EEH on national and local transport modelling and analysis forums, ensuring the emerging model and approach aligns with and is integrated into wider policies, guidance, and plans.


• Prepare and present reports to meetings with elected members, senior managers, key stakeholders, and public groups.


• Work closely with local partners to develop transport data pipeline (UTC/ Changelog etc.) to support the streamlining of model Calibration/Validation


• Support continuous improvement by reviewing service provision and make recommendations for improvement to local systems, taking a lead on implementing changes.


• You will be able to explain key assumptions feeding into analytical models and understand and interpret the outputs for the purposes of providing supporting evidence. Be proficient in using Excel and other relevant software packages and undertake appropriate Quality Assurance in accordance with government guidance., Within the terms of the Council's Worksmart programme, this role is identified as a mobile workstyle. The successful candidate will be required to meet with colleagues and clients in a variety of locations. Staff in this post will be expected to work from partner's buildings, public spaces or at home between meetings.


In addition, EEH's expectation is that staff prioritise full team collaboration once a week. At present, the preferred day for all members of staff to be together, in the Walton Street office, is a Monday, but this is subject to review and change periodically.

In order to be successful in this role, we are looking for applications from individuals with the following attributes and experience:

• Have extensive knowledge and depth of understanding of modelling techniques and demonstrate a breadth of knowledge, across a range of hard and soft analytical techniques.


• Extensive and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the analysis and decision-making process for infrastructure investment (such as transport infrastructure): the requirements, systems, policy, practices, procedures, legislation and major issues facing it.


• Authority and credibility to work effectively in a political environment establish positive and productive relationships with stakeholders and engage successfully with colleagues, partners and customers.


• Excellent interpersonal and communication and presentation skills, with proven ability to communicate effectively and persuasively to a wide range of audiences both horizontally and vertically throughout the organisation., As well as the right attributes, the technical nature of this role means we are seeking applications from candidates with a relevant degree and preferably a post graduate qualification.
  
  England's Economic Heartland (EEH) is the Sub-national Transport Body for the region stretching from Swindon, through Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes across to Cambridgeshire, and from Northamptonshire down to Hertfordshire. EEH brings together the Local Transport Authorities to provide leadership on strategic infrastructure issues. Our partnership is overseen by a Board of elected representatives from thirteen local authorities covering an area with a population of 5.1 million and with over 280,000 businesses employing 2,550,000 people.


The work of England's Economic Heartland requires strong collaborative working between local partners and more widely across the region, basing decisions on a sound evidence base which has been designed to support the work of all of our partners. Its activities involve regular engagement, at a senior level, with Government departments, infrastructure owners and service providers.

Buckinghamshire Council is EEH's accountable body and EEH staff operate as part of the Buckinghamshire Council team. We follow Buckinghamshire Council HR, legal, procurement and finance procedures and benefit from the support and engagement of the wider council community. As such all staff in the team are expected and supported, at all times, to meet the Buckinghamshire Council Values and ways of working.

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally., We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are - Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture


• the chance to really make a difference to those around you


• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops


• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group


• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us


• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events


At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that's why we're working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it's important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council's land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

It's a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you'll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That's why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. We also offer a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme to those who are eligible and have passed their probation period. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.