Policy And Strategy Officer

Role overview:

Reporting to the Principal Policy & Strategy Officer, there will be a requirement to provide support to the wider team on a variety of policy areas where necessary. You will also be required to have the ability to work independently applying initiative, taking ownership of workstreams as appropriate.

Transport for the North’s strategy, Policy and research function provides the evidence, professional services and expert advice to develop and deliver an integrated approach to the Strategic Transport Plan (STP). The team leads the monitoring, evaluation and annual planning/reporting against the STP, and associated strategies.

Working across TfN to support the STP’s three strategic ambitions (economic growth, decarbonisation and reducing transport-related social exclusion), the team provides strategic oversight and integration of relevant workstreams, manages interdependencies, and identifies and delivers further evidence and/or policy development where necessary. 

The Policy and Strategy Officer role will provide professional support in the development and delivery of the STP and its associated policy positions. You will be expected to provide impactful strategic and policy advice internally, and work closely with external partners and stakeholders to support their strategic thinking and policy planning. You will be expected to build strong relationships, internally and externally and be able to influence, shape and challenge across the strategy and policy sphere.

As Policy and Strategy Officer you will be responsible for initiating and co-ordinating the development and implementation of new and existing initiatives, shaping TfN’s on-going evidence base development particularly in relation to spatial planning, economic development and local connectivity. You will be a key member of a multi-disciplinary team, playing an active part in scoping and defining the role pan northern transport investment and TfN can plan in supporting the implementation of local plans.

What we’re looking for:

The successful candidate will have experience of working in transport strategy and policy development (or in a related area of local economic development and planning), working in complex situations and  in the development and approval of policies, strategies or business cases. It is imperative that you also have a good understanding of national and regional policy context, transport Policy and regulatory frameworks and experience of contract and procurement management.

As a confident communicator, you will have the ability to engage – in written and verbal format - with and influence a wide range of stakeholders, partners and senior colleagues alongside representing TfN in public, professional and stakeholder forums.

Candidates will preferably have a relevant degree or equivalent level reached through experience. Above all else, we’re looking for someone who’s passionate about improving outcomes for people and communities across the North.

Closing Date:  12pm on 7 March 2024

Provisional Interview Date:   18 March 2024

In return, as well as a competitive salary, our other benefits are:

• 28 days holiday per annum plus bank holidays
• Access to the local government pension scheme
• Access to various salary sacrifice benefits, including Travel Pass purchase scheme. 
• Access to TfN’s Flexi-Time Scheme, allowing accrual of up to 18 additional days leave per year

If you believe you have the skills and experience we’re looking for please apply online, ensuring that in your application you provide evidence in the form of specific examples of how you meet the essential criteria in the role profile. 

All candidates will be required to prove their right to work in the UK as part of the recruitment process. 

At TfN, we welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation. We are particularly keen to encourage applications from women, members of ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities who are currently under-represented.

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, all applications will be considered on their merit.

As an organisation we always strive to do the right thing and understand that in order to make a difference in our society and workplace, we must be committed to respecting equality and diversity, showing kindness, tackling discrimination and promoting inclusion and have signed the CIHT Diversity and Inclusion Charter Statement to further endorse our commitment. We are also an accredited Living Wage Employer, this means that every employee earns a real Living Wage and are recognised as  Disability Confident employer (stage 2) acting as a disability confident champion within our local and business communities and business networks.