Vacancies

Strategy and Policy Officer

Please Note: The application deadline for this job has now passed.

Do you have experience of policy development and want to be part of a newly formed team, that are responsible for overseeing the direction and delivery of our ambitious Regional Transport Strategy? If so, this may be just the role for you.

Midlands Connect have a brand-new role for a Strategy and Policy Officer to help improve the evidence base for the transport strategy and develop new ways of thinking and planning. Collaborating with local authorities and national bodies such as National Highways, Network Rail and the National Infrastructure Commission you will play an integral role in ensuring that the organisation keeps up to date with the latest research, shaping policies and direction both regionally and nationally.

You will play a pivotal role in critical projects such as investigating how we can fund future infrastructure, the development of our next Freight Route Maps, and laying the foundations for a new transport strategy for the Midlands. Additionally, you will be central to the efforts to decarbonise transport and support economic growth. This is a varied role where you will prepare reports, help to deliver policies on key transport issues, research and review evidence and build and maintain positive relationships.

This opportunity allows you to be part of an organisation at the forefront of transport policy and research. To excel in this role, you will need to be a strong collaborator with effective communication skills and proficiency in IT.

What you will be doing.

Support the development and delivery of policy and research projects.
Undertake research and analysis to inform strategy, policy development and monitoring and evaluation.
Maintain an overview of the policies, research, legislation and positioning across transport and related sectors.
Produce briefing notes, presentations, and research documents to inform and support discussions related to local, regional, and national transport strategy issues.
Support the development of robust and timely consultation responses to consultations.
Keep up to date with progress in areas such as Local Plans and Local Transport Plans, Local Economic strategies and decarbonisation plans.
Actively work with key stakeholders and colleagues to create an environment that promotes continuous service improvement and innovation.

What’s essential.

Experience of working as part of a delivery team in a public policy role.
An understanding of policy development and how to work with stakeholders to deliver change.
Experience of being able to deliver accurate information and advice to challenging deadlines.
Experience of being able to distil complex and lengthy documents in a format that is appropriate for different audiences.
Excellent writing and presentation skills.
An interest in policy and bringing about change.
Able to work collaboratively with various stakeholders.
Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience.

How to apply.

On clicking ‘apply for this job’, you will be prompted to register for an account, which you can do using your name and email address. You will have the opportunity to upload a CV when registering. Uploading your CV will auto-populate the employment and education sections of your profile. Please note, we do not see your CV once you have submitted your application. Our shortlisting decisions are based on what you tell us in your profile - and so it is important to check the information is correct and format your profile so that it really stands out. You will be asked to provide a supporting statement which should fully outline your suitability for the role, highlighting how your skills and experience match the essential job criteria. If you already have one that you have prepared earlier, you can simply copy and paste this into the application form. For more information on how to apply, please visit the FAQ page on our career site.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk). We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Salary and benefits.

We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes a Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK), 28 days paid annual leave (plus an option to purchase more!), ethical saving options and healthcare plans, paid volunteering days, free financing for the latest technology, discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more. For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

Hybrid working and location.

We believe hybrid working is the best way for our organisation to fulfil our commitment to a modern, agile workplace while continuing to provide a great service to our customers. Hybrid working means having flexibility between working in the office and at home on agreed days, where a role allows.

The location for this role is Alpha Tower, Suffolk Street Queensway, Birmingham, B1 1TT. It is expected that you can split your time between the office and working remotely, with at least 2 days a week spent in the office. Please note, this is the minimum expectation.

About us.

Midlands Connect researches, develops, and progresses transport projects which will provide the biggest possible environmental, economic, and social benefits for the Midlands and the rest of the UK. Our aim of these improvements is to transform regional and UK gateways, bringing the Midlands closer together and accelerating cost-effective improvements to unlock east-west connectivity that will enable the Midlands’ economies to work more effectively together.

We’re ambitious, forward thinking and determined to find better ways of working, always leading the way in what we do. We trust and support each other to get the job done, and encourage creativity, originality, and curiosity from those who work with us. We’re committed to creating an accessible and diverse workplace, one that nurtures an inclusive environment where our people can be themselves.

Midlands Connect is an independent organisation, tasked by government to advise on the best value strategic transport projects in the Midlands. Our accountable body is the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) who support us through providing HR, finance, and governance support to help deliver our priorities.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying.

Right to Work in the UK

Applicants will need to evidence that they have the legal right to work in the UK, in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Thank you for considering joining our team at WMCA. We look forward to receiving your application and the opportunity to work together towards our shared goals.