About the job

Summary

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

Are you interested in the environment and sustainability?

Would you like to lead on new policy development?

If so, we have a new and exciting role as our Senior Policy Advisor - Advanced Fuels and we would like you to apply.

Job description

The Department for Transport has been focussing on delivering substantial greenhouse gas savings in UK vehicles for several years and now, low carbon fuels policy has expanded to include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

This is a top priority policy area for us as SAF will be a crucial part of the UK’s ability to deliver net zero aviation by 2050.

We are responsible for developing the policy framework that will be required to ensure a growing supply of SAF to UK airports over the coming decades.

Earlier this year we published a consultation which set out proposals to require fuel suppliers to reduce carbon emissions through the supply of SAF. We are currently considering the responses and next steps.

We are looking for an individual to join our expanding team, who has experience of working on environment or energy issues to support the development of policies to encourage the uptake of SAF.

This is a high profile fast-paced policy area and there will be opportunities for briefing Ministers and senior officials, as well as working with industry experts and domestic and international aviation and fuels stakeholders.

The working atmosphere in Low Carbon Fuels is friendly and supportive. Colleagues are highly driven and passionate about promoting sustainable fuels across transport modes and addressing climate change.

You will have the option to be either based in London attracting the London pay scale, or in Leeds or Birmingham or Hastings attracting the national pay scale.

Responsibilities

Our Senior Policy Advisor will be responsible for leading and driving our Advanced Fuels policy commitments, aiding policy design and delivery in a fast-paced and ambitious environment. As our policy lead, there will be a strong focus on taking forward policy development, refining policy and delivering regulations which will be set into legislation.

Other responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Leading new policy development. Building on the work underpinning the SAF consultation and working closely with colleagues in the new SAF commercialisation team, you will develop evidence-based policy options to support the uptake of SAF whilst maximising carbon savings. You will input to recommendations to Ministers having fully evaluated the costs and benefits.

• Legislative work. You will work with our legal team in developing policies to understand the legal implications to secure the best outcomes. You will lead the drafting of clear instructions to lawyers to introduce legislation.

• Engaging with key stakeholders. You will need to build strong relationships across government including with DfT’s Aviation team, the BEIS Aerospace, CCUS, Biomass and Hydrogen teams, as well as HMT and other government departments. You will seek out opportunities to collaborate with stakeholders – both in the UK and internationally - to develop, test and promote SAF policy. You will work with industry experts to build the evidence base for SAF policy. This includes engagement with the Jet Zero Council SAF Delivery Group and relevant subgroups, supporting the planning and delivery of industry engagement sessions.

Please refer to the role profile attached for further information.

Please note, some travel between locations is likely to help in supporting team integration. For this role, a regular presence in London may be necessary should briefings and support during Parliamentary debates be required in person.

There may also be some other travel involved to attend meetings across the UK or the EU, this could occur 4-5 times a year and may include overnight stays.

We welcome flexible working arrangements.