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Location
About the job
Job summary
We recognise the challenges that people with 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 ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Do you have experience of undertaking Business Planning processes?
Would you like an opportunity to help shape the future direction for the rail industry?
Do you enjoy collaborating with a range of partners to deliver outcomes?
If so, we are looking for a Business Planning Coordination Officer to join our Coordination and Planning team, and we would love to hear from you.
Job description
Our team is responsible for coordinating the annual Business Planning process for Department for Transport (DfT) contracted train operators. We ensure it fits between individual operator plans, Department and industry policies and strategies, the contractual basis and incentives for rail operators, and the industry financial settlement the Department agrees with His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT).
The National Rail Contracts (NRCs) mean that cost and revenue risk sit with the Government. Train operators are now incentivised to act as good and efficient operators through performance-based fees. The NRCs include requirements for operators to produce annual business and strategic plans that align with Government priorities, network enhancement programme timelines and affordability targets.
As Business Planning Coordination Officer, you will work as part of our Business Planning team to define what can and should be delivered through train operator business plans within the available budget. You will support the review of operator’s and their businesses to identify areas for improvement in operator performance, and to inform the request for business plan (RFBP) specification.
You will support with the management of the portfolio specification of business plans and the assessment of business plan returns.
In this role you will have the opportunity to collaborate with our Market, Policy, Finance, Rail Analysis, Contract Development teams and external Technical, Legal and Financial advisers.
If you would like to find out more about what it's like to work at DfT Rail, please click here.
Your key responsibilities will support the development and implementation of the processes and policy in this area, including:
- Leading on production of the elements of the Request for Business Plan (RFBP), specification, documentation, and associated guidance of the Business Plan Commitments.
- Responsibility for the relationship with the Operator Performance Assessment team and ensuring the alignment between Business Plans and Performance Targets.
- Working alongside Rail Analysis and external Technical Advisers to support the portfolio wide analysis and evaluation of the Annual Business Plans.
- Day-to-day management of external specialist advisers for specific Business Planning workstreams.
- Consulting with policy leads across the Rail Reform Programme and Great British Railways Transition Team to ensure alignment of processes and policy direction across industry.
- Ensuring cross industry alignment and inclusion of governmental priorities in final iterations of the Business Plans.
- Liaising with legal and financial advisers throughout the Business Planning process to ensure the final Business Plans are robust.
- Leading on production of guidance notes, templates, decision papers and presentations to internal and external governance boards.
- Leading on production of briefings for senior leaders and Ministers.
- Facilitating workshops and meetings and producing minutes and actions.
Person specification
About You
You will demonstrate excellent commercial and contractual skills and the ability to deliver in a highly challenging area where complex operational, policy, legal, commercial and financial issues come together.
You will have excellent analytical skills to confidently deal with large volumes of financial and operational data, and the ability to clearly communicate findings to non-specialists to drive decisions.
You will have outstanding interpersonal skills, be articulate and credible to build positive working relationships with our internal teams, train operators and industry partners.
You will be resilient and apply a proactive approach to delivering results and have the capability to take the initiative and credible action.
Additional Information
A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace, although requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another DfT workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance.
Occasional travel to attend team meetings in our London office may be required.
Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Changing and Improving
- Working Together
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.
Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to apply
When considering your experience, please tailor your CV and personal statement (maximum word count of 1000) to provide evidence of the following experience:
- Undertaking Business Planning processes and an appreciation of the differences between public and private sector Business Planning environments.
- Dealing with financial and operational data and communicating it effectively to non-experts to drive decisions.
- Working within a commercial and operational environment.
- Working with and communicating effectively with partners across all levels.
The sift is due to take place from 04/04/2024.
Interviews/assessments are likely to be held week commencing 22/04/2024.
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.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
- an interview
This interview could be conducted online via Teams or face to face at one of our offices. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
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.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here
