About the job

Job summary

This is an exciting time in aviation with new and sustainable technologies being introduced to the sector which will make big changes to the way people travel in the future. 

We, the Future of Flight team in DfT, are looking to support the aviation Sector in embracing new opportunities and challenges.

This includes through aviation innovation, including integrating new aviation technologies into UK airspace in the coming years, and have two exciting policy roles which will play a key part in making this happen! 

These roles will lead the development of government policy on the use of new technologies such as drones and Advanced Air Mobility aircraft (air taxis).

Job description

The UK is a leader in innovative aviation technologies, and we want to be able to maximize the opportunities and benefits these offer to have a transformative effect on the movement of people and goods.  This role is focused on new or novel aircraft and using them in new ways, such as using drones to deliver medical supplies or air taxis offering low carbon urban journeys.

The SEO’s in this role will lead on integrating these novel aircrafts into already busy skies, ensuring that UK regulation and policy are enabling for the market to grow while also ensuring that the UK public’s needs are met and their concerns addressed. They will also contribute to improving connections between urban and rural environments while supporting economic growth and stimulating job creation. The role involves some travel and extensive engagement with a broad range of stakeholders

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Contribute to the delivery of the Future of Flight Action Plan, a joint government and industry plan which sets the direction for the Future of Flight industry in the UK.
• Support policy decision making to enable integration of new and novel aircraft types into UK airspace and the current aviation ecosystem.
• Supporting the establishment of a regulatory framework for the future of flight industry, ensuring the development of market frameworks to help unlock the benefit of new forms of aviation. 
• Develop and build working relationships with industry, the regulator  and international partners to ensure government is providing leadership and direction for the Future of Flight industry in the UK
• Lead for the integration of research on Advanced Air Mobility and drones into policy decision making.
• Work closely with CAA to develop and implement the UK policy for Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM).

For more information, please see the attached Role Profile.

Person specification

About you

To thrive in this role, you will

• Have the ability to compile, assimilate, distil, interpret and present a strong evidence base from a wide range of types of evidence and opinions to form a sound and compelling base to inform coherent policy making.
• Understand and be able to apply open policy-making approaches, techniques and requirements.
• Possess experience and confidence working with and managing external stakeholders.

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. 

Benefits

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

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

How to apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV and Personal Statement (750 words). Please tailor your CV to suit the role. For your Personal Statement, please provide detailed evidence of the following:

• Experience of compiling, assimilating, distilling, interpreting and presenting a strong evidence base from a wide range of types of evidence and opinions to form a sound and compelling base to inform coherent policy making
• Experience of applying open policy-making approaches, techniques and requirements.
• Experience of building and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders

The sift is due to take place 25th March 2024.

Interviews are likely to be held from week commencing 1st April 2024

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include: 

• an interview

This interview will be conducted online via Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.  

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within. 

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. 

For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website. 

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.