Senior Policy Advisor

Job summary

Can you manage complex stakeholder relationships and oversee contracts that underpin critical regulatory frameworks?

Do you thrive on shaping policy, tackling emerging challenges, and representing UK interests in a technical and international environment?

If so, we would be delighted to hear from you.

The Dangerous Goods Unit in DfT leads on the safe and secure transport of dangerous goods by road and rail, with oversight of sea and air. These goods are essential to the economy and daily life. We develop and implement legislation, engage with industry, and represent the UK internationally, ensuring proportionate regulation that protects people, property and the environment while supporting trade and economic growth.

The role is a key position in the Dangerous Goods Unit and will be responsible for maintaining and assessing our relationships with key partners and stakeholders where strong communication and organisation skills are necessary. The post holder will also take the lead on enforcement and security issues linked to the carriage of dangerous goods, and represent the UK internationally at the UN on a regular basis.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at DfTc Policy: Policy opportunities at the Department for Transport - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

This post in the Dangerous Goods Unit is key to shaping the strategy of our work. Comprising of two teams, the Frameworks and Engagement Team and the Evidence and Assurance Team, this post uniquely straddles the work of both teams as it is responsible for the contracts and agreements we have in place with our key partners who help in delivering the requirements of the dangerous goods frameworks in the UK. To effectively deliver our responsibilities as the competent authority we have a number of Memorandums of Understanding and Service Level Agreements with key partners such as enforcement bodies, to formalise our working arrangements.

The post holder will be largely responsible for the review of existing contracts and agreements, management of the team’s relationship with relevant stakeholders, and assessing compliance with the agreed deliverables. The role also offers policy responsibility as the post holder will be the lead for the enforcement and security policy for the transport of dangerous goods and so will work closely with the police, the DVSA and other enforcement bodies to deal with emerging issues. Finally, the role involves international work as the post holder will be required to attend international meetings at the UN, most likely twice a year.

You will be responsible for:

• Conducting a strategic periodic review of the framework agreements DGU has with key agencies and partners, and making amendments to such agreements.
• Collaborating with the Vehicle Certification Agency to ensure that transitional arrangements are in place to maintain delivery of the Service Level Agreement when there are changes to key personnel and managing the financial arrangement for funding the Vehicle Certification Agency.
• Policy lead on enforcement and security issues linked to the carriage of dangerous goods, includes regular engagement with enforcement bodies (e.g. Police, HSE, DVSA) and the Department’s security teams as well as being a key point of contact for any emergency response work arising.
• Support the G7 at the UN to ensure that the UK’s aims and objectives for transporting dangerous goods are safeguarded at the international level, promoting our interests and working to secure them including presenting papers and negotiating in the margins to build support for UK positions.
• Contribute to the DGU preparations of dangerous goods international meetings by providing briefings on subjects where you are the policy lead, and attending national stakeholder briefings.
• Maintaining and improving stakeholder engagement, including presenting to stakeholders at dangerous goods events/meetings.
• Recording, monitoring and approving financial spend for deliverables contained in contracts/agreements and co-ordinating financial returns.

The role will require the post holder to develop an understanding of the transport of dangerous goods which is a challenging technical policy area. Support will be provided through dangerous goods training with a view to undertaking exams for and achieving the Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser qualification. Other training will be tailored to the individual.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

We are looking for a confident communicator who can establish relationships with stakeholders and grow their network. A proactive self-starter who can manage their own time ensuring all work items are planned and progressed and reported, taking initiative to progress work items independently seeking guidance from colleagues when appropriate. The post holder should be prepared to learn about technical matters and undertake self study to further their knowledge of the subject area.

• Work collaboratively with others and able to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders both internally, externally and internationally.
• Excellent drafting and oral communication skills; able to clearly explain complex issues to non-specialists.
• Strategic thinking, using big picture assessment to spot opportunities and risks, and find solutions to technical problems.
• Comfortable taking on new responsibilities and working flexibly in response to new and changing business pressures.

Additional Information

This role involves regular international travel and occasional travel within the UK. Dates for this are communicated well in advance. Travel is mainly to Geneva for 2 major meetings per year although other international travel is also possible. Meetings in Geneva can last up to two weeks at a time and the date of these is communicated well in advance.

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

Visa Sponsorship

DfTc does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement

Stage 2: Interview

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1000-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:

• Work collaboratively with others and able to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders both internally, externally and internationally.
• Excellent drafting and oral communication skills; able to clearly explain complex issues to non-specialists.
• Strategic thinking, using big picture assessment to spot opportunities and risks, and find solutions to technical problems.
• Comfortable taking on new responsibilities and working flexibly in response to new and changing business pressures.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

The sift will take place week commencing 18/05/2026.

Stage 2 - Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Behaviours - Working Together, Communicating and Influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, Managing a Quality Service.

The interviews will take place week commencing 01/06/2026.

This interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.

During your application, you should indicate which location(s) you wish to be considered for and, if successful, you will be placed on an individual list of candidates for each location. Candidates will be held on that list and drawn from it in merit order. We advise you to carefully consider which locations you wish to be considered for. If you decline an offer for a location you have expressed a preference in or have expressed an interest in more than one location and accept an offer, you will be withdrawn from any lists you may be held on. We may also offer candidates a location that they have not expressed a preference for where we have the requirement to do so but this will again be done on the basis of your place in the overall merit order and, in this event, you will not be removed from the list if you decline.

Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit. If you are successful in the selection process but there are no further available posts for the advertised role, you may be contacted to discuss an offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements).

If you are unsuccessful in the selection process, your application may be considered for a lower graded position if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. Candidates will be considered in order of merit.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit theHow We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

All External applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as:

Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour

Threats or acts of violence

Illegal activity or substance misuse

Sexually explicit material

Extremist views or affiliations

Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public.

Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. It’s not about judging your personality or lifestyle—it’s about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture.

If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail what’s being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security 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

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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 : Elliot Morgan
• Email : Elliot.morgan@dft.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here

Attachments

Role Profile Opens in new window (pdf, 233kB)