CMA1973 Principal Adviser – Policy and International

Do you want to use your project management and analysis skill for the public good?

Do you want to work on key policy projects, supporting an organisation that is passionate about protecting consumers and keeping markets competitive?

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Policy & International team where you will learn about the CMA’s work across a range functions, working with a wide range of individuals and teams.

About the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

We help people, businesses, and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour. Our work is wide ranging, ambitious and often new and challenging.

The Policy and International team works across the CMA’s functions. The team leads on cross-cutting policy projects and manages relationships with other competition and consumer enforcers in the UK and internationally. 

 Recent work led by the team includes:

• Working with colleagues at other Government departments on the Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Bill, before and during its passage through Parliament
• Developing new guidance for businesses on how competition law applies to environmental sustainability initiatives
• Working with teams across the CMA to develop and maintain policies on how the CMA carries out its work
• Working with other regulators and enforcers on competition and consumer protection matters including law enforcement
• Developing the CMA’s relationships with our international counterparts both bilaterally and through multi-lateral forums such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

 The role

As a Principal  Adviser, you will play a key role helping to develop and deliver the CMA’s policy position on relevant issues and policy priorities. You will work closely on policy development with colleagues, external stakeholders, government departments and public bodies, representing the CMA in meetings and conferences, both in the UK and internationally.

You will assume responsibility for planning and completing projects and will manage the work of others in the team to deliver on your objectives. You will also provide support to teams across the CMA on the application of CMA policies to case and project work, making connections between all areas of the CMA’s work.

What we can offer you

To excel in this role, proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and Excel, is essential. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills are equally vital, as is the ability to thrive under pressure. Familiarity with organisational document management systems and a strong commitment to handling confidential information responsibly will also be crucial.

In return the CMA is a hugely diverse, rewarding and stimulating place to work – an opportunity to work for the public good and to stretch and develop yourself in doing so. We offer generous benefits, including an excellent pension scheme, at least 25 days leave (increasing to 30 over five years), and generous maternity/paternity leave provision. You can also take advantage of interest-free season ticket loans, a cycle to work scheme, our employee assistance programme and flexible working options.

To find out more about this opportunity and about working for the CMA, please click on the APPLY button.

CMA – Working for the CMA , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)

Or our LinkedIn page:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/competition-and-markets-authority/

The Policy and International Team will host a drop-in session for prospective candidates interested in working for the CMA. Candidates are invited to join a virtual session where the team will explain the work of the CMA, our policy and international workstreams and recruiting managers will be on hand to ask any questions you may have about the vacancies in the Policy and International team.

We will run the session over Microsoft Teams from 12:30pm on Monday 16th October for around 45 minutes, to register your interest please visit; CMA Drop-in Recruitment Session Tickets, Mon 16 Oct 2023 at 12:30 , Eventbrite

Closing date for applications: 11:55pm on Monday 6 November 2023.

The main responsibilities of the role are:

• Working closely on policy development with colleagues in other parts of the CMA and external stakeholders, including other government departments and public bodies.
• Developing the CMA’s policy position on relevant issues and delivering on its policy priorities.
• Representing the CMA in meetings and conferences and supporting others doing so, both in the UK and internationally.
• Providing support to teams across the organisation on the application of CMA policies to case and project work, making connections between all areas of the CMA’s work.
• Managing the work of others in the team to deliver on your objectives.
• Taking responsibility for designing and completing projects, supporting and working with colleagues to meet key deadlines and milestones.
• Monitor policy developments relevant to the CMA’s work in the wider UK Government, and policy developments in other jurisdictions.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

As well as the interesting and varied work you’ll do to contribute to effective competition in the UK, and to ensure consumers get a good deal when buying goods and services, you’ll also benefit from:

• An exceptionally generous pension scheme with a significant employer contribution and range of options, including a tax-free lump sum at the point of retirement and injury, ill-health and life assurance benefits
• 25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the King’s birthday. In addition, you’ll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering
• Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye tests
• Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard
• A range of wellbeing benefits, including an employee assistance programme, flexible working options and family friendly policies, regular networking events and professional learning opportunities at work

Any move to the CMA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

Like many other organisations, we operate a hybrid working model with a mix of office and home working. We believe this supports us to deliver our best work while allowing the flexibility to maintain balanced and healthy lives. We work at least 40% of our time from our office locations across the UK.

If you’re already a civil servant being appointed on level transfer, you’ll retain your existing terms, including annual leave. If you are being promoted you’ll receive either a 10% pay increase or the new grade minimum, whichever is the greater. Applicants new to the civil service can be considered for appointment at a salary higher than the starting point indicated above, but not more than the advertised mid-point, depending on skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications.

We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We want a diverse workforce that reflects the consumers we serve. We welcome applications from under-represented groups, including ethnically diverse people, people with a disability, people with diverse gender identities and from people of different ages. 

We are an accredited Disability Confident Employer and disabled applicants meeting the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.

Our Values

The CMA delivers impactful outcomes for people, business and the UK economy.​ We are Ambitious and Evidence-based, and always strive for Excellence.​ We treat everyone with Respect, and are Collaborative and Inclusive.​

Everything we do is underpinned by the Civil Service values: Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity.

Job contact :

• Name : recruitment@cma.gov.uk
• Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk
• Telephone : 020 3738 6808

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk