About the job Job description

Can you use sound judgement, personal knowledge and evidence to provide expert and accurate technical advice? 

Would you thrive in a constantly evolving, high profile, fast-paced, and challenging work environment? 

If so, we are looking for a dedicated and dynamic Lead Technical Advisor to join us at the High Speed & Major Rail Projects (HSMRP) Group, and we’d love to hear from you. 

You will play a central role in the successful delivery of some of Europe’s largest rail projects that present a once-in-generation opportunity to unlock transformational economic benefits for the country. 

Your work will involve senior-level engagement with multiple delivery partners in various government functions, including HS2 Ltd., East West Railway Co., Network Rail, the Office of Road and Rail, and others. 

Role responsibilities 

Your duties will include: 

• leading engagement with Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) such as HS2 Ltd to develop technical strategies including: design, technical assurance, innovation, asset management, environmental impact mitigation, sustainability, & digital deployment 

• leading engagement with DfT policy colleagues, train operators, and ALBs to develop the operational framework for the Group’s programmes, including concept of operations, Train Service Specification, timetable development, depot & stabling strategies, applicability of standards etc 

• ensuring that the new schemes are aligned with the current operational railway in order that safe and reliable integration is successfully achieved and maintained 

• driving the value for money introduction of state-of-the-art train control and traffic management, mobile communications, infrastructure monitoring and real-time customer information systems 

• driving efficiency in the development and delivery of major rail infrastructure, harnessing technical innovations to set new benchmarks in efficiency and customer experience 

About you 

You have an eye for detail and can plan and organise your work independently and effectively, working strategically with minimal direction. 

You have a track record of providing accurate, authoritative and professional advice based on good judgement, evidence and personal knowledge, with a deep understanding of the commercial principles that drive business cases and effective decisions. 

You are a confident and articulate communicator, easily able to translate highly technical concepts into plain English. You have the ability to engage, build relationships and network with a range of internal and external stakeholders, and have an aptitude for leadership, team working and influencing others. 

You will also have the following essential experiences: 

• previous involvement in the design, construction and/or maintenance of technically complex engineering projects, preferably in a railway environment 

• generating evidence-based reports and presentations and communicating their findings to technical and non-technical audiences 

• applying engineering approaches to a broad range of complex technical problems (e.g. structures, aerodynamics, propulsion etc.) 

• delivering value for money solutions in a challenging commercial environment. 

About us 

HSMRP currently covers four major rail investment programmes – High Speed 2, East-West Rail, Northern Powerhouse Rail, and Crossrail 2. The Engineering & Operations team has key cross-cutting responsibilities within the Group and provides technical support to other parts of the Department for Transport. 

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

A degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Civil/Electrical) at MEng/MSc level or equivalent (i.e. ‘Level 7’), with chartered status (i.e. registered as CEng with the Engineering Council), or working towards full accreditation.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

Benefits

New entrants to the department who are currently members of the Railways Pension Scheme (RPS) may remain in the RPS if they have the indefeasible right to do so. If they are eligible to remain in the RPS they will become members of the BR Section of the RPS. 

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. 

New entrants to the department with safeguarded railway staff travel facilities may be able to retain these if there is availability and they meet the eligibility criteria.

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 and Experience.

When considering how your experience relates to the role, please tailor your CV and Personal Statement to evidence: 

• your previous involvement in the design, construction and/or maintenance of technically complex engineering projects, preferably in a railway and/or electrical systems environment 

• your experience generating evidence-based reports and presentations and communicating their findings to technical and non-technical audiences 

• how you have applied engineering approaches to a broad range of complex technical problems (e.g. structures, aerodynamics, propulsion etc.) 
• when you have delivered value for money solutions in a challenging commercial environment 

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

• an interview 

• an interview with one or more exercises 

• a full day of activities including interactive, written and timed exercises 

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 information about this vacancy please contact [email protected]

Sift/interview dates and location

The sift is due to take place 15.05.2019. 

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held between 28.05.2019 and 04.06.2019 at Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR. 

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.