Closed Applications (Archive)

Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) - Chair

Body
Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
Appointing Department
Department for Transport
Sectors
Communities, Transport
Location
DPTAC meetings are hybrid meetings, with attendees able to join in person (usually in DfT’s office in London but occasionally elsewhere in the UK) or remotely. The role will also involve some national and international travel.
Number of Vacancies
1
Remuneration
£338 per day
Time Requirements
8 days per month

Campaign Timeline

  1. Competition Launched

    20/05/2022

  2. Closed for Applications

    17/06/2022

  3. Panel Sift

    Late June/Early July 2022

  4. Final Interview Date

    Mid-Late August 2022

  5. Announcement

    TBC

Vacancy Description

DPTAC is an independent expert committee established by the Transport Act 1985 to advise Government on the transport needs of disabled people. The Act requires that at least half of DPTAC’s members are disabled. The committee is appointed by the Secretary of State and currently consists of 14 members and the Chair.

DPTAC is sponsored by the Department for Transport, which provides a Secretariat to assist DPTAC with meetings, correspondence, and exchange of information with the Department. However, DPTAC offers its views independently of the Department. We expect there will be occasions when that advice is for the Department to do more or to act differently.

Likewise, while DPTAC gathers the views of disabled people and organisations representing disabled people, its advice is independent of those individuals or organisations. DPTAC encourages Government to do more to meet the needs of disabled people, but it is not a lobbying organisation.

On a day-to-day basis, DPTAC will:

  • Provide advice to the Department to assist in the development of policy and other proposals.
  • Monitor how DfT delivers its commitments, such as those set out in the Inclusive Transport Strategy.
  • Be a “sounding board” and “critical friend” to DfT and offer clear, constructive criticism and challenge.
  • As required, provide additional advice and support to DfT, participating in steering groups for research projects, and on Task and Finish groups.

DPTAC has legal duties to:

  • Consider any matter relating to the needs of disabled persons in connection with public passenger transport and the built environment referred to them by the Secretary of State, or which they think it appropriate to consider.
  • Make an Annual Report to the Secretary of State.
  • Meet as a committee at least four times a year.

DPTAC also has several working groups covering topics including rail, aviation, local transport, personal mobility, and research and evidence. These groups are made up of the DPTAC Chair, a working group chair, and selected other DPTAC members. Working group meetings are held at the discretion of the working group chair. Working groups develop advice for DfT on their area of expertise, whether provided verbally to DfT officials at meetings, separately in advice notes or via published position papers.

DPTAC’s membership brings a wealth of skills, expertise and experience from a wide range of areas. It is a gender-balanced committee and currently over 80% of its members have lived experience of disability. Its strengths include commitment to DPTAC’s goals, a shared trust between members, Chair and the DfT, skills spanning the transport sectors and the built environment, and productive discussions in an environment of honesty, respect and shared values.

DPTAC often work with highly confidential and fast-evolving policy thinking and will need to provide evidence-based and constructive challenge, often at pace.

DPTAC advises the Secretary of State on national transport policy powers reserved to Westminster. In policy areas where transport powers have been devolved, DPTAC liaises with the devolved administrations and their equivalents to DPTAC to coordinate work on common accessibility issues.

Person Specification

Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate that they meet the following criteria:

  1. 1. Exceptional leadership skills, including influencing strategy, direction, and culture to increase effectiveness, dovetailing with wider strategic initiatives, and creating a culture of inclusion to value, respect, and champion diversity.
  2. 2. Excellent communication and influencing skills, including the ability to provide succinct, honest, considered advice; proactively and rapidly build and maintain relationships; and operate effectively as an ambassador for DPTAC.
  3. 3. An excellent, wide-ranging, understanding of the specific needs of disabled passengers and road users, and of existing and emergent transport issues.
  4. 4. Strong awareness of the wider social and economic issues faced by disabled people in the UK, and how these impact on the way they travel.
  5. 5. The ability to work with others and empower them to achieve organisational objectives.
  6. 6. High standards of integrity, commitment to public service values, and an understanding of the principles and practices of corporate governance.

Candidates’ suitability for the role will be assessed against criteria 1-6 above.

If there are a large number of applicants for this role, we will assess applications against lead criteria 1 and 2 above.

Attachments

This post is regulated by The Commissioner for Public Appointments