Senior Policy Advisors Rail Licensing and Accountabilities

Government Recruitment Service; Leeds; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking two Senior Policy Advisors to join the Rail Sector Accountability Division. This role involves driving the development of the GBR licence and engaging with stakeholders to ensure coherent policy solutions. Ideal candidates will thrive in a fast-paced environment and possess strong relationship-building skills essential for supporting significant rail reforms in the UK.

Benefits

Employer pension contribution of 28.97%

25 days annual leave, increasing each year

Flexible working options for work-life balance

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting the development and scrutiny of legislation.
• Ability to work strategically across interconnected issues.
• Strong relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive policy development of the GBR licence.
• Translate complex policy into a clear GBR licence document.
• Build trusted relationships with industry stakeholders.

Skills

Relationship-building

Policy development

Strategic thinking

Job description

Can you work in a fast-paced, high-profile environment? Do you have the ability to build trusting relationships with stakeholders across government and industry? Have you got experience in supporting the development and scrutiny of legislation, including drafting briefing materials? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Transforming Britain’s railways is the centrepiece of the government’s transport agenda. We’re committed to putting passengers at the heart of the service by bringing passenger services into public ownership and establishing Great British Railways (GBR), a new body that will focus on reliable, affordable, high-quality, and efficient services; along with ensuring safety and accessibility.

It is an exciting time to join the Rail Reform Directorate, as we deliver the most significant transformation of the railways in decades and help shape the future of the UK’s transport network. With momentum building ahead of the introduction of primary legislation, and strong interest from industry and political stakeholders, this role is ideal for a proactive self-starter who thrives in fast paced, dynamic environments. You will have the opportunity to build effective partnerships across the sector and play a key role in delivering major reforms that will define the next era of rail travel.

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 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 Department for Transport Central - Department for Transport Careers

We are looking for two Senior Policy Advisors to join the Rail Sector Accountability Division. The roles offer an opportunity to be a key part of delivering the biggest reform in rail in a generation.

These roles will drive the development and implementation of the GBR licence and establish reformed rail sector accountabilities in legislation. You will be at the heart of shaping the GBR licence, influencing how GBR is governed and held to account and supporting Ministers in the passage of the Railways Bill. The roles will be crosscutting in nature and will require the successful candidates to be able to work strategically across interconnected issues. This will include policy development of the licence as well as the wider regulatory strategy, and the ORR’s overarching institutional role in the reformed system.

The successful candidates will also require strong relationship-building skills to be able to work effectively with colleagues, leveraging the expertise of others to develop coherent and deliverable policy solutions that ensure GBR is able to deliver on its objectives, within a clear accountability framework.

The responsibilities of the role will include:

• On the GBR licence: Driving forward policy development of the GBR licence, a central pillar of rail reform, ensuring that its contents reflects and supports the wider transformation agenda.
• Translating complex policy into a clear, authoritative GBR licence document, working with stakeholders across and beyond government to ensure it is coherent and ready for a public consultation.
• Building trusted relationships with industry, to inform policy and ensure that the GBR licence is developed and implemented in time for GBR’s creation.
• On the broader statutory accountabilities: Ownership of wider legislative provisions in the Railways Bill relating to rail sector accountabilities, including GBR’s statutory functions, duties, GBR’s licence, directions and guidance and the role of the ORR.
• Supporting Ministers through the passage of the Bill including drafting high-quality materials, coordinating responses, and advising ministers on policy matters at pace.
• Building trusted relationships with stakeholders across government and industry to support policy development and the passage of the Bill in line with the Government’s vision for rail reform.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile 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.