The Department for Transport is recruiting for a head negotiator to handle aviation issues related to Brexit in a move that has prompted criticism it is dragging its feet on the issue.
DfT is currently seeking two policy and strategy experts – one of them the Brexit role, and the other a head of airspace strategy. Both roles are at grade 6, offer pay banded between £62,000 and £71,000 a year and are open to applications until Tuesday next week.
The negotiation role describes key duties as “establishing, leading and managing the core aviation negotiating team, and ensuring its close coordination with existing policy and legislation teams” and overseeing negotiations with the EU on the future of aviation safety and airspace relationships.
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A third aspect of the role, which sits within DfT’s Aviation Directorate, is described as “contributing to the formulation and implementation of the UK’s future aviation strategy and development of related legislation and policies”.
DfT’s applicant pack said successful candidates would “lead on ministerial engagement and engagement within the centre, in particular the Department for Exiting the EU, FCO, UKREP and the No 10 Europe Unit; and lead on related engagement with industry stakeholders and relevant foreign governments”.
Candidates are advised that prior knowledge of airspace and the aviation sector is not necessary, but would be seen as an advantage. However “excellent communication skills” and “the ability to distil complex information into a succinct and persuasive narrative” are described as must-haves.
The advert’s timing has drawn fire from budget carrier Ryanair. Chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs said seeking a head aviation negotiator two years after the Brexit vote underscored a level of “complacency” on the part of DfT.
The department told Civil Service World that the head negotiator position was a new role that would augment existing teams and did not indicate that work on aviation-related Brexit issues had yet to start.
“The Department for Transport has dedicated teams with many years of experience and expertise already working on both aviation EU exit and on airspace policy,” a spokesperson said.
“We are now are looking to supplement these existing teams with additional posts.
“Our EU exit plans are well developed and we are working closely with business and trade associations to provide the certainty they need to understand the challenges and opportunities they may face in the coming months and year.
“We look forward to continuing this work as we negotiate our future economic partnership with the EU.”
DfT said suitable candidates would be considered for either the airspace strategy or the Brexit role, with interviews due to be held next month.