About the job

Job summary

We recognise the challenges that people with protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

Are you interested in shaping some of the most complex challenges in UK transport, improving the way the UK travels, creating safer and more sustainable transport, and boosting economic growth for communities?

Do you have the communication skills to develop and maintain relationships with people across and beyond government?

Can you lead a team that is developing the policy that keeps a nation moving?

If so, then we would love for you to apply!

Job description

Policy work in government is broad, varied, and fast-paced. It encompasses policy development, stakeholder engagement, briefing and supporting ministers and senior officials, developing legislation, shaping strategy, and more. Senior Policy Leads in the Department for Transport (DfT) will have a unique opportunity to influence national policy through their advice to senior decision-makers and ministers, and to deliver on ministers’ decisions.

We are recruiting for at least five Senior Policy Leads in different parts of the Department, each with a different area of focus. These include (but are not limited to):

• Rail Strategy and Services: This team is responsible for setting the policy and strategic direction for passenger rail services. It is the home of expert analysis, advice and specialist support on rail industry operations, an essential part of understanding how the industry is performing and whether it is delivering the service the passenger deserves.
• Roads and Local Transport: This team is responsible for the development of policy in relation to roads, traffic, road safety, sustainable travel, bus travel and logistics.
• Future Transport: This team leads on policy to shape the future of transport in the UK and globally, and to make transport more environmentally sustainable.
• Aviation: This team works to maintain the UK’s position as a world leader in aviation. The team works closely with the aviation sector to deliver investment, trade, jobs, and social opportunities.

These are demanding, stretching and complex jobs – and it’s this that makes them so rewarding and enjoyable. You’ll be surrounded by enthusiastic, committed teams who will help you to thrive as a Senior Policy Lead in the Department for Transport.

The Department for Transport is recognised for its welcoming, supportive, and collaborative culture. We are proudly committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are working towards a place where all our people feel they belong, where they can bring their full self to work, and where they can thrive. We are committed to supporting talented people from all backgrounds to deliver and to develop themselves. We prioritise learning and development, both through formal and informal learning, and will help you grow as a policymaker, manager, and leader.

Please visit our DfT Policy Profession page for more information on what it's like to work in this exciting area of the department. 

Candidate Drop-In Sessions

We will be running several virtual drop-in sessions to give you greater insight into the exciting opportunities on offer, as well as the chance to learn more about the Department and our recruitment process.

If you would like to join us, then click the appropriate link below to join the call at the right time:

• Monday 08 January 17:30 - 18:30
• Wednesday 10 January 17:30 - 18:30
• Tuesday 16 January 17:30 - 18:30

We look forward to seeing you there!

Responsibilities

We are recruiting for several Senior Policy Leads across the Department and the duties and responsibilities will vary between each role. However, all Senior Policy Leads can expect to:

• Take ownership for at least one area of policy. In practice, this will involve thinking through complex policy questions, identifying and analysing evidence, and developing and assessing options. You will need to think critically and apply your knowledge and experience of the subject matter and the broader political and strategic context. It could also involve working through financial, commercial, and legal implications, and impacts on different parts of the UK and/or the international context.
• Present work verbally and in writing to senior civil servants and ministers. You will have regular exposure to key decision-makers in the Department.
• Work closely with other civil servants across the Department and the wider Civil Service to resolve complicated issues that affect multiple policy areas.
• Develop and maintain close relationships with key external stakeholders to ensure your work draws on a range of perspectives.
• Take a proactive approach to managing your work and projects, including evaluating and mitigating risks.
• Provide support to ministers, such as briefing for stakeholder engagement or debates in Parliament.
• Manage small teams working on policy, including through direct line management.

This list is not exhaustive; you may be required to carry out additional duties according to business need.

For an in-depth insight into the role please refer to the role profile attached.

The Department has a strong corporate culture, and we expect all members of staff to contribute to the corporate life of the department. This might include through work to support diversity and inclusion, learning and development, fair treatment and wellbeing, smart working, innovation and knowledge-sharing, or anything else which helps make the Department an even more effective organisation and an even better place to work.

Person specification

We would love to hear from candidates who have the following skills:

• You will have the ability to lead by inspiring and motivating others to deliver positive outcomes.
• You will see the big picture, thinking strategically feeding into organisation needs and government wide objectives.
• You can identify and analyse a range of qualitative and quantitative data sharing the narrative and providing recommendations to stakeholders.
• You communicate with confidence and have the ability to both challenge and influence.
• You can build positive working relationships across disciplines fostering an approach of working collaborative.

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.

At the point of interview all candidates will be asked for their preferred team. As we will be appointing this role based on merit (offering to the highest scorer first) we will take your preferred team into consideration but please note that this will not be guaranteed.

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, Experience and Technical skills.

How to apply

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

• A sift of your CV and personal statement (assessing Experience)
• A written policy exercise (assessing Technical)
• An interview (assessing Behaviours and Experience)

When considering applying please look at how your experience relates to the role, and within your CV and Personal Statement please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following:

• Experience of identifying and critically analysing a range of qualitative and quantitative data, using this to develop options for ways forward
• Experience of writing clearly, logically, and concisely, explaining complex topics accessibly and making clear recommendations for readers
• Experience of communicating and working with senior and external stakeholders, including building, and maintaining positive working relationships
• Experience of working collaboratively within and across teams, including those with different expertise (such as lawyers, finance specialists, scientists, economists etc.)
• Experience of leading and managing successful teams (through direct line management or otherwise)

Your personal statement will be limited to a maximum of 1000 words. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your personal statement, how you meet each of the essential skills listed above.

Expected recruitment timeline subject to change:

• Sift dates: w/c 22nd January 2024. Applications will be sifted on CV and Personal Statement and assessed against the Experience element of the Success Profiles.
• Shortlisted candidates will progress to the next stage, which involves a written policy exercise assessed against the Technical element of the Success Profiles. Further details will be provided to those who pass the initial sift. You must pass the written element to progress to interview.
• Written policy exercise: w/c 5th February 2024.
• Interview dates: w/c 26th February 2024. At interview stage, candidates will be assessed on Experience and on the following Behaviours; Seeing the Big Picture; Leadership; Working Together; Making Effective Decisions; Communicating and Influencing. Please see the attached role profile for further details. The lead criterion at this stage will be Seeing the Big Picture. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

The policy exercise and interview will be conducted online via Teams. 

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.

During the written policy exercise you will be assessed against the following Technical skills from the Policy Profession Framework: 

1. Strategy) 1.1. Policy Context and Purpose (Level 1: Developing) - Define the sought impacts and outcomes of a policy. 
2. Democracy) 2.1. Working with Ministers (Level 1: Developing) - Deliver effective internal communication. Write for different audiences and purposes, including scrutiny. 

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.

Alternative roles

Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit.

In the event that your application is successful,  but there are no further available posts (at the current grade) then you may be contacted to discuss a potential offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements). This will be based on availability of roles. 

In the event that you are unsuccessful (for this campaign), your application may be considered for a lower graded position, if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. This approach, if used, will be again done so based on the availability of roles and candidates will again be considered in order of merit. 

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.