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SalaryWe 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.
Are you looking for a new role that is both stimulating and fast paced?
Can you build positive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders?
Would you like to shape the policy approach and delivery of an £883m programme of air quality measures for the Joint Air Quality Unit?
If so, then we would love for you to apply!
This post is offered on a Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) basis to complete a finite piece of work.
For permanent Civil Servants, this role is only available on loan, so you must have your home departments approval to return to them at the end of the loan before you apply. There is no opportunity for a permanent Civil Servant to take on this role as a fixed term appointment. OGD applicants will be appointed on an inward loan and subject to the terms of the agreed inward loan. Internal candidates will return to their previous post at the end of the loan period, which will need to be agreed with your line manager in advance.
If you're employed by a non-departmental public body (NDPB) by moving jobs this will involve a change of employer and you may break the statutory rules on continuity of employment.
Poor air quality poses a significant health risk and Government must achieve improvements in standards as soon as possible. As such, air quality is a highly sensitive and challenging topic that attracts significant ministerial and parliamentary interest.
This vacancy is within the innovative Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)/Department for Transport (DfT) Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU); staffed by both Defra and DfT staff members. This role is a DfT position.
We are recruiting for a position in the Policy and Local Engagement Team at the heart of JAQU. We work closely with senior officials, Special Advisers, Ministers and other government departments (OGDs) to support complex and impactful decisions on the JAQU programme, which is part of the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP).
The role will allow the postholder to work with others to shape the policy approach and delivery for JAQU, including supporting key immediate priorities.
As this role is within a joint unit, the post holder will have access to a wide range of learning and development (L&D) opportunities within both DfT and Defra. This includes access to site visits and shadowing of other roles within these departments. JAQU and our parent Directorates put a significant emphasis on L&D, with regular learning events set up for the whole team.
This is a challenging and multifaceted role with opportunities for high-profile exposure and to build a range of skills. It offers the opportunity to work on policy that has a direct real-world impact on delivery and, in turn, the environment and public health. It would be ideal for someone looking to finesse policy skills; build expertise/understanding in high profile environment/transport policy; and be supported in-role by an experienced, high-performing team and engaged, friendly senior leadership team.
Responsibilities
Key accountabilities of the role include:
- Policy work on technologies to improve air quality, which enjoys high political and public attention.
- Working with National Highways (NH) on their air quality programme, which faces particular challenges given the size and complexity of the Strategic Road Network.
- Supporting Account Managers with their local authorities, working in close collaboration with evidence and analytical experts, to ensure they deliver their local air quality commitments.
- Preparation for a Spending Review, preparing briefing and working with account managers, JAQU finance and strategic teams in central Defra/DfT.
- Policy work in preparation for the general election, preparing briefing and considering options that could be presented to the incoming administration around air quality policy.
For an in-depth insight into the role please refer to the Role Profile.
