Senior Policy Advisor

Job summary

Can you build effective relationships with stakeholders, collaborate across teams or organisations, and use influencing skills to deliver?

Do you have experience in developing policy by analysing evidence and balancing multiple objectives?

Do you manage workstreams confidently, solve problems proactively, and communicate clearly?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

The Department for Transport 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 moving 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 and 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!

Find out more about what it's like working at DfTc Policy

Job description

The Department for Transport’s Low Carbon Fuels directorate leads strategy, policy and operational delivery work to promote the use of low carbon fuels – such as those used in road vehicles and aircraft – and support transport decarbonisation.

This role sits within the team responsible for the policy design and implementation of the SAF Mandate, the Government’s flagship policy to reduce aviation emissions.

We are seeking a commercial policy specialist with understanding of the aviation industry and fuel supply chains to support the implementation of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate and wider decarbonisation policies.

The post involves working across government and with industry stakeholders to diagnose complex and high-profile issues, develop and implement policy, support compliance with SAF Mandate obligations, and ensure low carbon fuels and other decarbonisation policies effectively deliver towards net zero targets.

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

• Establishing strong, collaborative relationships with industry stakeholders
• Mapping and tracking low carbon fuels market behaviours, trends and changes
• Developing DfT positions and policy on high-profile, complex issues
• Providing high quality advice and briefing to Ministers, other Government Departments and senior officials

Flexible resourcing

Colleagues are expected to work with a degree of flexibility, meaning responsibilities may change to support priority delivery.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile which 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

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

• Strong commercial focus with the ability to diagnose and understand different drivers of behaviour.
• Ability to develop, understand and apply technical concepts and proposals.
• Comfortable working with numbers and engaging with analytical colleagues.
• Self-starter – resilient and enjoy working in a fast-paced, sometimes uncertain environment and able to calmly forge a path through, while taking others with you.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to develop strong and trusted relationships quickly.
• A proven track record in managing multiple workstreams, competing priorities and delivering on time.
• Experience or expertise in low carbon fuels or other energy/ decarbonisation policies or strategies is desirable but not essential.

Additional Information

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

Sponsorship is not offered for this role. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the United Kingdom.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,241, Department for Transport contributes £12,816 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• 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).
• 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.

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