Job description

Are you interested in science and the environment? Would you love to develop Government policy? 

If so, we encourage you to apply. 

We are looking for a highly motivated policy professional with a good scientific background to develop policy to help deliver UK climate change commitments and to manage the research programme within the Low Carbon Fuels Regulation team. 

You will be responsible for developing and delivering complex amendments to legislation, helping to secure buy-in from a diverse and challenging set of stakeholders, and inputting to advice for Ministers on how best to decarbonise transport through incentivising novel low carbon fuels. This is a challenging and exciting area of policy, combining technical complexity and controversy with a strong international and EU dimension. 

Role Responsibilities 

As part of your role, you will: 

• Develop new renewable fuels policy including sustainability requirements 

• Manage the Low Carbon Fuels research programme and work with the team to identify any knowledge gaps 

• Manage the procurement of projects and keep track of the overall budget, ensuring projects deliver value for money 

• Engage with key stakeholders and build positive working relationships across Government 

• Seek out opportunities to collaborate with research institutions and the scientific community to build the evidence base for low carbon fuels policy 

About You 

We are looking for someone with either a degree in Science or Environmental Studies or relevant work experience. You will be knowledgeable in the field of climate change, sustainability, renewable energy policy development and/or life cycle analysis. You love to delve into topics and build your own capability through research and evidence. 

We are on the lookout for a confident communicator who loves to collaborate with others and isn't afraid of challenge. You will have experience of providing guidance and robust recommendations to stakeholders, and your relationship building skills will enable you to influence and challenge at all levels. You are a confident person who enjoys building solid working relationships at all levels. You can express complicated information in an easy and accessible format for others to understand. 

You would be described as a diligent person, happy to concentrate on your work and do a thorough job even when under pressure. You can lead on projects with the ability to manage and filter workflow as well as organise and prioritise workloads to maximise your own productivity. You will have excellent analytical and problem solving skills, and the ability to quickly develop recommendations based on quantitative and qualitative evidence. 

About us 

We are part of the Department for Transport (DfT). DfT is a great place to work, and our ‘one team’ approach really makes a difference. We value our staff and that’s why we’re committed to nurturing an inclusive environment across the Department. 

You’ll be part of an innovative organisation that invests in all our people, ensuring we have the diverse skills to deliver transport that moves Britain ahead now and into the future. 

DfT has been recognised for its leadership on workplace gender equality by being included in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2017. 

DfT’s inclusion is recognition of our commitment to make the Department a great place to work through our culture of equality and inclusivity and the great strides we’ve made to raise the number of women in senior positions.

Qualifications

Degree in Science or Environmental Studies or relevant work experience

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Policy Professional Framework - Analysis and Use of Evidence
• Policy Professional Framework - Policy Delivery

Benefits Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

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.

Things you need to know Security

Successful candidates must pass basic security checks.

Nationality statement

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules.

If you're applying for a role requiring security clearance please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

• Your assessment will include an interview with one written exercise 

Please tailor your CV to the person specification in the role profile. 

Please tailor your personal statement to reflect your experience in: 
• the field of climate change, sustainability, renewable energy policy development and/or life cycle analysis 
• managing, leading or undertaking research projects 
• communicating complex information to a wide variety of stakeholders 
• analysing evidence and drawing conclusions in a strategic way 


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 please click here 

Your interview may consist of a range of question types. These may include questions about: 
• what energises and motivates you 
• how you would manage situations relevant to the role 
• your previous experience 
• your professional skills and knowledge 

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


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

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information Contact point for applicants

For further details about the vacancy please contact Keeley Bignal or Hazel Schofield: [email protected]

Sift/interview dates and location

The sift is due to take place 27/06/2019. 

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held between 10/07/2019 and 17/07/2019. 

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. 

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a security check may be carried out. 

Further information

We have adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel. 

We may hold a merit list for up to twelve months. During this time, if a similar role is identified and you have been placed on the merit list you may be considered for the post. Within the merit list period, your application form and selection information may be shared across the department and its agencies. 

Please see attached candidate notes for further information about our recruitment process. 

Reasonable adjustment 
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 
Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs 

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

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. 

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact 

Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected] 

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: 
Click here to visit Civil Service Commission. 

Any move to the Department for Transport (DfT) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.