Committee Specialist (Railways Policy)

Job summary

Are you a policy-savvy problem-solver who enjoys variety in your work? Join the Transport Select Committee team as a Committee Specialist (Railways Policy) and help scrutinise Government policy and spending on rail. You’ll work directly with cross‑party MPs in a fast‑paced environment where today’s headlines can become this afternoon’s priorities.

Job description

You’ll lead the Committee’s railways portfolio—tracking rail reform, shaping inquiries, identifying expert witnesses, preparing concise briefings and lines of questioning for public hearings, and drafting high‑impact committee reports and correspondence. You’ll also support media and public engagement activity and, as a small team that covers the full Department for Transport remit, you may turn your hand to topics from aviation and maritime to EVs and road safety.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across Select Committees and the House of Commons Library, you’ll build stakeholder networks, keep the Committee plugged into developments across the rail sector, and help organise evidence sessions, visits and engagement events (potentially including overseas). Structured training, mentoring and on‑the‑job development will support you to thrive.

Person specification

• Railways policy knowledge and experience — detailed understanding of rail policy issues and the roles of key organisations in the sector, evidenced by relevant research, practical or scrutiny experience.
• Research and analysis — ability to quickly master unfamiliar subjects using a range of sources and produce clear, evidence‑based advice to tight deadlines.
• Working with colleagues and stakeholders — proven skill in building trusted relationships, using interpersonal and negotiation skills to deliver positive outcomes, and promoting collaboration and inclusion.
• Planning and organisation — confidence prioritising multiple tasks and adapting to changing circumstances to meet deadlines.
• Communication — clear, impartial writing and briefing for non‑specialist audiences; concise, accurate and persuasive outputs.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,614, House of Commons contributes £12,634 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive package of benefits, including:

• Generous annual leave starting at 30 days and increasing to 35 after one year.
• Enrolment in the excellent Civil Service pension scheme, with an average employer contribution of around 27%.
• Flexible working options that help you balance personal and professional commitments, including enhanced parental leave, caring leave and alternative working patterns.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Information Session:

We will be hosting an online information session so you can find out more about the role and the team. This will take place on the 26th March at 4 pm. To register, please click here. If you are internal, please email the Recruitment Team to be sent the link.

How to Apply:

If you would like to apply for this role, please complete an application form and submit your responses against Criteria 1, 2 and 3.

More information on the application process can be found here: Application process - UK Parliament

Applicants must ensure that anything submitted must be factually accurate. Plagiarism ‘can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.’ Whilst candidates can make use of AI, they must do it truthfully. Where possible experience stated within the supporting statement should also be visible in the cv part of the application. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications, statements, and CVs; submissions must be truthful and relevant to experience.

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description.

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Please ensure that you anonymise your application by removing any identifiable factors from your CV or Supporting Statement.

We may close the vacancy prior to the closing date stated due to a high volume of applications.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : recruitment@parliament.uk
• Email : recruitment@parliament.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@parliament.uk

Attachments

Commitee Specialist (Railways Policy) - Job Description Opens in new window (docx, 942kB)House of Commons Benefits Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 712kB)