About the job Job description

The UK’s transport system is used by most of the population every day, whether travelling to and from work, school, shops, hospitals, or just meeting friends and family. Nearly all journeys use the local roads network. The international freight industry ensures that there are food and goods in the 
shops, and prompt delivery of parts and raw materials. Most of the transport industry is in the private sector: much of it is subject to safety or economic regulation, often under international agreement; some of it – especially public transport – is subsidised by the taxpayer. 

The Department’s High Speed and Major Rail Projects Group is responsible for the very largest rail projects: High Speed 2 (HS2) – the biggest infrastructure project in Western Europe; Crossrail 2; Northern Powerhouse Rail; and East West Rail. Delivering High Speed Two (HS2) is one of the Government's top priorities, and a key part of its long-term economic plan to build a stronger, more competitive economy and secure a better future for Britain. 

Job Purpose 

Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) is a new programme to transform existing 
links between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield, and Hull and Newcastle. If approved, it is likely to lead to a capital expenditure of £24bn or more and further hybrid bills beyond the 
HS2 programme. 

This role is responsible for leading DfT’s work on preparing infrastructure options and a business case for NPR; and for sponsoring work on Crewe Hub (itself a c.£0.5bn investment) and the Constellation Partnership Growth 
Strategy for Cheshire and Stoke. The post-holder will also lead the sponsorship of work on York station going forward (which, like Crewe, is 
likely to need a combined approach that pools funding from HS2, Network Rail renewals and potentially NPR to create the best overall scheme). The post holder will work very closely with Transport for the North, now  established as the first statutory subnational transport body. Our work on NPR is co-cliented with TfN. The post holder is the Department’s client for major pieces of work by both Network Rail Ltd and HS2 Ltd. They are responsible for brokering agreement within DfT – including with Rail Group – on the way forward, and for managing senior stakeholder relationships with local authorities and LEPs. The work is of high politically interest, a Government manifesto commitment, and vital for future economic growth. 

Context and Current issues 

Following earlier work on taking forward Northern Powerhouse Rail, we need to identify options that are value for money, technically credible, and 
capable of commanding local support in the North. 

The intention is to reach an initial strategic business case in early 2019, to inform funding considerations in the spending review. This will lead to a 
revised business case in 2020 that narrows down the concepts on each 
corridor. It will remain a highly challenging piece of work. As well as sponsoring the detailed development undertaken by HS2 Ltd and Network Rail, there will be a range of complex scope to resolve, including at 
Manchester Piccadilly station - arguably a major project in its own right. 
The Constellation Partnership has a wide range of interests in HS2. While a 
way forward on Crewe has been agreed, successful delivery will require  ongoing oversight and challenge to avoid the risk of cost pressures or delays to the HS2 Phase 2a and Phase 2b hybrid bills. The project requires fully 
integrated work and planning between HS2 Ltd and NR, each with their own 
accountabilities and governance. 

Main Activities 

 Sponsor of Northern Powerhouse Rail. 
 Crewe area sponsor – including 
remitting and holding Network Rail and 
HS2 Ltd project directors to account, 
managing senior stakeholder 
relationships; 
 Sponsor of York station 

Person Specification 

Essential Skills and Experience: 

 Experience of working with and influencing multiple senior stakeholders with competing interests and brokering consensus in a complex 
environment; 
 Highly developed leadership skills including direction-setting, motivation, and performance management; 
 Proven ability to work effectively with senior politicians nationally and locally 
 A successful track record of working under pressure and meeting demanding timescales. 
 An influential figure who is able to command confidence; 
 First class communication skills with the ability to build strong networks and influence across sectors and ability to work well in a political 
environment; 
 Strong presentational skills and ability to distil complex information into clear, concise summaries; 
 Ability to analyse complex and inter-related issues in order to deliver effectively. 
 Experience of leading or developing major projects (rail experience desirable) 

Benefits Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

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

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online 
application process which includes completing the two forms 
online outlined below. 

This should be completed no later than Sunday, March 3rd 23:59 
. 
1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities 
and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons 
for any gaps within the last two years. 
2. A Statement of Suitability explaining how you consider your 
personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of 
your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the 
criteria in the person specification. 

Failure to submit both documents (CV and Statement of Suitability) 
will mean the panel only have limited information on which to 
assess your application against the criteria in the person 
specification. 

Please ensure that both documents contain your full name. 
Should you encounter any issues with your online application 
please get in touch with us on: 

[email protected] 

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.

Eligibility

Candidates in their probationary period are eligible to apply for vacancies within this department.

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 information on this vacancy please contact - Samuel Igoe - [email protected] 

Sift/interview dates and location

The sift is due to take place w/c 11th March 2019. 

The assessment is due to take place w/c 18th March 2019. 

Interviews are expected to take place w/c 1st April 2019. 

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

Further information

Please see attached candidate notes. 

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. 

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 

Childcare Voucher 

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