SAF Programme Advisor

Can you help deliver policy priorities in a complex area, while building strong relationships across government, industry and external partners?

Do you thrive in fast-paced environments, balancing competing priorities while delivering clear advice and effective project coordination?

Are you passionate about decarbonising the aviation sector?

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

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing governments globally, with transport accounting for 26% of UK domestic greenhouse gas emissions in 2021. This role supports the Department’s work to accelerate greener transport and ensure the sector contributes to the UK’s climate ambitions.

Aviation emissions are projected to grow without intervention, making sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) a key decarbonisation solution. SAF can be used in existing aircraft and produces around 70% lower lifecycle emissions than conventional jet fuel. Aircraft are already permitted to operate using blends of up to 50% SAF.

The Government’s SAF Mandate requires aviation fuel suppliers to provide at least 10% SAF by 2030. While imported SAF can contribute, growing international demand highlights the importance of UK production. However, revenue uncertainty has slowed investment in domestic SAF projects. To address this, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Act established the framework for a Revenue Certainty Mechanism (RCM), helping guarantee stable returns for producers and encouraging investment in UK SAF facilities.

Low Carbon Fuels is a friendly and supportive place to work. Colleagues are highly driven and passionate about promoting sustainable renewable energy and addressing climate change. We welcome flexible working arrangements and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Existing team members are located across London, Hastings, Birmingham and Leeds.

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

You will be part of the RCM division within the Low Carbon Fuels Directorate, which is the team responsible for implementing the RCM. The RCM programme is at a critical point in its delivery, with detailed policy work underway on key elements of scheme design to ensure that RCM contracts provide sufficient certainty for investors while also delivering good value for money for Government. Following a public consultation launched in January 2026, work is ongoing across a range of activities ahead of the launch of the first allocation round of RCM contracts.

Reflecting this, the role will focus on policy and project delivery. We expect the postholder to be adaptable in working across a range of objectives as they arise. This will include working with external delivery partners, supporting the policy design of certain elements of the RCM scheme, supporting with briefing and correspondence and advising ministers on key issues. There will be elements of project delivery within this role and the role holder will need to possess strong organisational skills, as the team works to ambitious timescales to meet the commitment to deliver the RCM.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Manage relationships and coordinate activities with key delivery partners , including the Low Carbon Contracts Company and legal advisors throughout detailed scheme This includes coordinating regular workshops with these delivery partners and contributing to papers and slide packs to maintain progress against the programme timeline.
• Support the policy development process across certain areas of RCM contract design, for instance, the definition of ‘Qualifying Volumes’ and sustainability requirements of SAF supported through the RCM.
• Engage with key stakeholders including SAF producers, fuel suppliers, airlines and trade associations, taking responsibility for organising roundtable and bilateral meetings and ensuring the RCM division is aligned with the broader Low Carbon Fuels stakeholder engagement approach.
• Act as contract manager with our external legal advisors, drafting regular Statements of Work and maintaining control of the budget to ensure effective delivery.
• Lead and maintain an integrated plan and timeline for delivery of work across the immediate team, monitoring key risks and milestones and feeding into wider divisional project plans.
• Support advice and briefing to Ministers and draft responses to relevant correspondence.
• Work collaboratively across the Low Carbon Fuels Directorate, including with the SAF Mandate team and Delivery Unit to maintain joined up working across the team and ensure that RCM policy is consistent with wider Low Carbon Fuels policy and DfT goals.

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.

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