Policy and Strategy Officer

Transport for the North overview:
Transport for the North was established in 2018 as the first Sub-national Transport Body in England and was formed to transform the transport system across the North of England, providing the infrastructure needed to drive economic growth.

As a partnership, we bring together the North's Local Transport Authorities and business leaders together with Network Rail, National Highways and working with Central Government. We amplify our partners' voices on the transport infrastructure investment needed to drive transformational growth and rebalance the UK economy.

Our role is to add strategic value by ensuring that funding and strategy decisions about transport in the North are informed by local knowledge and requirements. This fits with the devolution agenda and we will draw powers down from central government rather than up from local government.

Our vision is of a thriving North of England, where modern transport connections drive economic growth and support an excellent quality of life.

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 international connectivity and economic development. 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 Transport 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.

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 22 November 2024

Provisional Interview Date: 11 December 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.