Correspondence Lead and Policy Advisor

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Do you have excellent verbal and written communication skills?

Are you confident working with and building strong working relationships with a range of stakeholders?

If so, the Civil Parking and Traffic Enforcement (CPTE) Policy team are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join and lead on the team's correspondence, and we would love to hear from you!

The CPTE team is responsible for setting the high-level policy and legislative framework by which local authorities in England manage enforcement of on-street parking, bus lanes and moving traffic restrictions.

The successful candidate will be responsible for handling external correspondence from a wide range of stakeholders including MPs, members of the public, large organisations or campaign groups. You will lead as necessary on responding to correspondence relating to on-street parking, moving traffic and bus lanes. An example of a possible emerging policy issue that you may receive correspondence on is a review of the current penalty charge levels nationally to ensure they are fit for purpose.

Communicating effectively with stakeholders and the wider public is a fundamental part of how we do our job. You will support the team in shaping and influencing policy and providing briefing to Ministers while maintaining good relationships with key external stakeholders including the British Parking Association, Adjudication Service, London Councils and the Local Government Association. You will also work collaboratively with colleagues from across DfT to help shape policy positions and resolve issues.

The CPTE team sits within the Traffic & Technology Division which is responsible for how the road network is designed and managed. What we do is all around us and is part of the social fabric; think of traffic signs, pedestrian crossings, road works, and traffic lights, as well as the emerging technology in these fields; think e-scooters and smart parking solutions. Our work affects everyone in one way or another whether we walk, cycle, drive, catch a bus or have things delivered. The Division also has close links with other policy areas within Department for Transport, particularly road safety, cycling and walking policy, and accessibility.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Using your knowledge and judgement to help establish how cases should be dealt with.


• Using our electronic correspondence handling system confidently, including the accurate inputting and updating of data.


• Managing and maintaining positive, professional and trusting working relationships across a range of internal and external stakeholders.


• Identifying sensitive correspondence cases and raising these with senior colleagues appropriately, with suggestions on how to deal with them.


• Drafting high-quality, timely responses to Parliamentary Questions, Ministerial Correspondence and other forms of official correspondence.


• Ensuring that work is undertaken within the set standards, protocols and timelines.


• Drafting Ministerial briefing contributions. There will be opportunities to attend associated briefings, meetings and work more widely on policy areas.