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Do you enjoy collaborating and building meaningful relationships with a range of stakeholders?
Would you relish the chance to be involved with our high-profile Rail Reform Programme, helping make a difference to millions of rail passengers every single day?
If so, we have three fantastic Senior Policy Advisor roles in the Financial, Commercial and Access Policy Division and we would love to hear from you!
This is an exciting time to join us, as the Department embarks on the most fundamental reform of the railways in a generation; you will have a unique opportunity to help shape a key part of the future of the railways.
These positions sit within two teams across the division, part of the wider Rail Reform Directorate, responsible for leading the delivery and design of a unified system that focuses on reliable, affordable, high-quality, and efficient services; along with ensuring safety and accessibility.
Two roles sit within the Access Charging and Reform Team, supporting the development of policy for delivering passenger services in public ownership. The work requires, driving the right outcomes for the private sector, network access, charging, and performance and incentives for GBR, to ensure best outcomes for passengers, freight customers and taxpayers.
The third role is in the Financial Reform Team, which is leading the design of funding aspects of the rail reform bill and new financial flows within the rail sector. The job holder will ensure legislation reflects government ambitions for rail finances; work with colleagues on financial implications for the wider sector design and will engage widely with key rail bodies and HMT.
As the rail bill progresses, the successful candidates will also be supporting the Bill team in Parliament to deliver the legislation in line with Parliamentary processes.
All three positions provide an excellent opportunity to be part of a team delivering complex policy through the cross-Whitehall clearance process including consultation and impact assessments, culminating in having policy ready for inclusion in legislation.
At the point of interview all candidates will be asked for their preferred position out of the roles available. As we will be appointing this role based on merit (offering to the highest scorer first), we will take your preferred working area into consideration, at the point of offer, but please note that this will not be guaranteed.
Responsibilities
Your key duties and responsibilities will include:
* Managing challenging stakeholder relationships on specific, high-profile policy issues affecting financial reform or access reform, creating an open, honest environment for the sector to engage with government and engaging on a regular basis with partners across Whitehall, industry and other private sector organisations.
* Leading and delivering on policy that meets Ministers ambitions for a simpler more efficient railway in a complex and distinct policy area.
* Preparing briefings for SCS and supporting meetings, driving forward actions and initiatives.
* Supporting on aspects of policy development, financial and commercial matters within the RRD, formulating policy ideas and coordinating with specialist teams across DfT (e.g. legal, analysis and private office) to develop Departmental positions on a range of complex policy matters. Building strong and effective working relationships with colleagues in a variety of government departments to financial and commercial interests.
* Monitoring developments in wider reform policy by partners, including the Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) and Network Rail (NR), and providing accurate, high-quality reporting for seniors to shape departmental policy and strategy.
* The candidate should be open to changing priorities, work and teams as necessary to meet wider Departmental objectives.
If you would like to find out more about what it's like to work at DfT Rail, please click here.
Further information on policy roles in the Department can be found here
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