DfT/803/17/DfTc - - Planning and Investment Support Manager

Do you have a flair for strategic thinking?

Are you looking for an opportunity to shape future strategy for the Department for Transport (DfT) that will have a real impact on people's lives?

If so then this unique and exciting opportunity as our Planning and Investment Support Manager is for you, and we'd love to hear from you.

We are looking for a Planning and Investment Support Manager within our Intercity Team, who can demonstrate a proactive, professional and strategic approach to their work. You will support the Rail Investment Planning and Investment Manager for the East Coast Main Line in planning enhancements to meet the future requirements of the Line. Key areas of focus will include overseeing the interaction with future HS2 services, engaging with Network Rail on the roll out of new Digital Railway technology and working with external stakeholders on the development of third party schemes, such as new stations.

Within your role you will:

• Contribute to the development of Rail investment strategies
• Prioritise potential schemes through data collation and analysis
• Draft strategic business cases and board papers for identified schemes
• Prepare benefit management strategies and benefit profiles
• Produce integrated assurance and approvals plans
• Assist in the department's engagement and external working groups/meetings
• Contribute to the provision of written and verbal ministerial briefings
• Identify areas of improvement and ways of working

We also recognise and support the need for development within DfT, so in this specialised area we will also provide you with the opportunity to gain a relevant Transport Planning qualification.

This role is based in London but will periodically involve longer distance travel to locations on the East Coast Main Line, typically York, including some out of hours working and possible overnight stays.

About you

You will have an awareness of national, regional and local transport planning policy, with an ability to look at the bigger picture and wider strategy. You will have excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing towards a varied audience.

You will be a proactive self starter, who thrives in a team environment and looks to support others. You will have the ability to build rapport easily with people and develop strong working relationships.

About us

We have the most intensely used railway in Europe, with parts now running at close to 100 percent capacity, and a renewed focus on what needs to be improved to meet the needs of passengers and freight.

Network Rail has a mandate from government to spend more than GBP15 billion in Control Period 5 (2014-2019) on improving the nation's infrastructure to accommodate expected passenger growth and make journeys better for the future.

The Network Services Directorate sits within the Department for Transport's Rail Group and is responsible for sponsoring and overseeing this large investment programme and for planning how services and infrastructure are enhanced in the future, to ensure that users' needs are met. It is a constantly evolving, challenging and exciting environment to work in.

The following competencies and Indicators will be assessed throughout the application process:

Seeing the big picture

• Be alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit own and team's work
• Develop an understanding of own area's strategy and how this contributes to Departmental priorities
• Seek to understand how the services, activities and strategies in the area work together to create value for the customer/end users

Making Effective Decisions

• Identify a broad range of relevant and credible information sources and recognise the need to collect new data when necessary from internal and external sources
• Recognise patterns and trends in a wide range of evidence/data and draw key conclusions, outlining costs, benefits, risks and potential responses
• Ensure all government and public data and information is treated with care in accordance with security procedures and protocols

Leading and Communicating

• Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner with all stakeholders and stand ground when needed
• Communicate using appropriate styles, methods and timing, including digital channels, to maximise understanding and impact
• Promote the work of the Department and play an active part in supporting the Civil Service values and culture

Collaborating and Partnering

• Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of business outcomes
• Actively seek input from a diverse range of people
• Readily share resources to support higher priority work, showing pragmatism and support for the shared goals of the organisation

Delivering at Pace

• Regularly monitor own and team's work against milestones or targets and act promptly to keep work on track and maintain performance
• Take responsibility for delivering expected outcomes on time and to standard

Benefits

Pensions
Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

Benefits
Besides the rewarding nature of the job itself, the benefits that come with it are excellent. The package includes generous leave entitlement, attractive pension options, flexible working and other policies to enable a good work/life balance, including beneficial childcare arrangements. You'll also benefit from our commitment to nurturing and developing talent.

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass basic security checks .

Nationality statement
Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules .

If you're applying for a role requiring security clearance please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK.

Selection process details
You should use the Civil Service Competency Framework, referring to the relevant competency definitions for the grade advertised. The Indicators listed on the attached document have been identified as most appropriate; please ensure that the evidence in your application meets the requirements of the role.

If invited to interview, this may consist of a range of question types. These could include questions about your strengths or how you would respond in any particular situation as well as specific examples of things you have done.

Applicants should also use the attached additional competency framework and refer to the competency definitions within.

To comply with a recent government change, the Department for Transport has adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel.

When considering how your experience relates to the role, please tailor your CV and Personal Statement to reflect the role and the competencies/and indicators described in the job advert.

Your Personal Statement must evidence your suitability for the role against the attached role profile.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements
Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here .

Eligibility

Candidates in their probationary period are eligible to apply for vacancies within this department.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.