Policy Specialist (Rpas)

Salary: £55,000 up to £65,343 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: BPSS

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

You will be responsible for leading and contributing to a number of key projects whilst managing your day-to-day duties within the Future Safety and Innovation (FS&I) Policy team. This also includes providing advice and expertise to colleagues in the wider RPAS team, other areas of the CAA and externally, both nationally and internationally.

You will have to constantly develop your understanding and interpretation of RPAS regulatory frameworks and often deal with a certain level of ambiguity. More specifically this will involve identifying and understanding emerging issues, what they mean in context and what impact they may have.

A key part of this role is the ability to communicate, in both written and verbal formats. Due to the regulatory detail of the subject matter, and the variety of partners both national and international, it is important that you are confident in your ability to easily interpret, express and explain complex concepts and information. Additionally, the capacity to engage with, and develop, other people’s understanding of these concepts will serve you and the team well in the development of comprehensive policy.

The FS&I team is always looking for new ways to improve and build value for the CAA’s partners. You should also inhabit this approach and constantly seek new ways and methods to increase the efficiency of not only our processes but our policy and guidance materials as well. This is never more important than in a sector where technological innovation can be rapid.

About You

• Operationally experienced within either the civil or military RPAS domain
• Knowledge and understanding of any of the following areas: airspace, rules of the air, human factors in aviation and their application, the SORA methodology
• Have a proven grasp of aviation based regulatory policy or framework
• Have project management experience, demonstrated by working within, leading, or planning project work
• An open, collaborative and continuous improvement focused mindset
• The ability to analyse complex problems, propose solutions and communicate them in a clear and concise way to a variety of stakeholders
• Strong analytical skills with an ability to draw and develop insight from a wide variety of subject matter and information
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with experience in the drafting of technical documents or policy
• Able to produce accurate briefing material, developed with a focus on brevity and clarity, with a keen eye for detail
• An appreciation of risk or performance-based evaluation frameworks

What Can We Offer You?

The RPAS industry is a healthy, fast paced and highly innovative segment. If you are the kind of person that enjoys a broad spectrum of novel and exciting challenges, then this is a phenomenal team to join. As an SME you will be at the heart of policy decision making and, if you feel you have the knowledge base to contribute, then this role offers you a fantastic opportunity to be instrumental to this burgeoning industry’s development and success.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Working With Us

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone.
Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone

Closing Date: Wednesday 3rd April 2024

If you are successful, you will be asked to complete a written exercise – if this is completed to the required standard you will then be invited for a first stage interview between the below dates.

Interview Date: W/C Monday 15th or 22nd April 2024

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.

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