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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Strategy
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About the job
Job summary
About HM Treasury
If youre interested in making a difference to peoples lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth.
Our work ranges from protecting customers through the regulation of the financial sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and creating a greener economy, to promoting British trade around the world and supporting people across the country on jobs, growth and more.
HM Treasury is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, ways of working and thinking makes us stronger and better at developing policy that reflects the needs of every community. We embrace different views and experiences and value the new perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.
We are part of the Darlington Economic Campus, a pioneering new cross-government hub which brings people together to play an active role in the most important issues of the day whilst working closer to the communities we serve. The campus provides the opportunity for people from all over the UK to help shape the future of the country, and our flexible working practices ensure you can collaborate effectively with our partners. Its central government, made more accessible to you!
Job description
About the Group
The Public Spending Group is a high-profile and rewarding place to work. We help the Chancellor decide what to spend £1.2trillion a year on and ensure government delivers value for money for the taxpayer. We are responsible for reporting to Parliament and the public on how taxpayers money is spent. We drive forward improved outcomes and efficiency in public services and make sure value for money is at the centre of decision-making through better evaluation, data and analysis.
We advise on overall government policy on public sector pay and pensions, the biggest single driver of public spending. We collaborate with and directly support departments to deliver the Government Finance Function strategy, building finance, debt and risk capability across government and developing the management information, tools and frameworks to better understand and ensure value for money.
About the Team
The Cross-Cutting Strategy, Insight and Reform (CSIR) team works on some of the most challenging policy issues facing government today.
CSIR exists to improve value for money by working across government to lead change through cross-cutting reform, productivity and efficiency and enabling the centre of government to achieve these aims via excellent spending control.
Our team is responsible for the Public Sector Productivity Review, cross-cutting topics such as Digital and AI within the public sector, improving joint working across departmental boundaries, the Shared Outcomes Fund, and we are the spending team for HM Treasury and Cabinet Office.
About the Job
This unique role offers an exciting opportunity to lead work on a challenging policy area. The postholder will have a varied brief and will have an opportunity to shape the role and work of the team.
We are looking to appoint a Senior Policy Adviser who will:
- Lead HMTs cross-cutting reform strategy work: You will be responsible for the team’s contribution to major fiscal events, including developing our approach to upcoming Spending Reviews and Budgets, ensuring we have the processes in place to inform cross-cutting policy decisions to meet HMTs objectives.
- Scrutinise and challenge cross-cutting spending proposals: you will be responsible for supervising and improving the quality of spending proposals in cross-cutting policy areas, including analysing and advising on delivery and spending risks, developing options to improve value for money and working with specialists across HMT and the rest of government. This includes developing our approach on the future of the £600m Shared Outcomes Fund, which this team leads on.
- Develop and maintain successful relationships with teams across HMT, CO and other departments to deliver HMT policy objectives: You will develop a network of positive relationships with many officials up to senior levels across government and with key external stakeholders (including the NAO and relevant Think Tanks) in order to deliver HMTs objectives in cross-cutting policy areas.
- Line manage at least one range D, with the potential to matrix manage more as work demands flex across the team and help set the teams work plan. You will also have the opportunity to work flexibly across the wider team and contribute to corporate and policy work across the Group as needed. You will be expected to actively contribute to creating a positive, inclusive and development-focussed team. This includes supporting team-wide objectives, including diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, as well as role-modelling HMT and team values.
You do not need to have knowledge of public spending policy for this role, although previous experience in government spending or wider public sector finance is a plus.
Candidate Drop-In Session
We will be running a candidate drop-in session for this role to give you greater insight about the role as well as the chance to learn more about HM Treasury and the recruitment process. If you would like to join us, then use the appropriate link below to join the call at the right time.
Friday 15th December, 13:00: Click here to join the meeting
Monday 18th December, 13.00: Click here to join the meeting
If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact Elizabeth Passey Elizabeth.Passey@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Person specification
We are looking for the below skills, experience and behaviours and we will ask you to demonstrate these in your application form. Please review the Candidate FAQ document that is attached to the advert for guidance on how to complete your application form.
- Seeing the big picture Ability to combine an understanding of complex policy detail with an ability to identify the key strategic issues and how they fit into a broader economic, political and fiscal context to make links across policy areas and shape the branchs work.
- Making effective decisions Proven track record on policy development with an ability to get to grips quickly with technical or detailed issues, and to draw on a wide range of evidence and analysis in reaching a decision.
- Working together An ability to maintain a wide network of contacts and deliver through others, by collaborating well and building effective relationships.
The lead criterion is: Seeing the big picture.
If we receive a large number of applications, applications will be assessed against this criterion alone first. They will then be assessed against the other criteria if they have met the minimum score on the lead criterion.
Candidate Guidance Support Session
We will be running an overview of Success Profiles and the STAR approach; top tips for the application and interview process and an opportunity to ask general questions around our recruitment practices. If you would like to join us, then use the link below to join the call at the right time.
Tuesday 19th December, 12:00: Click here to join the meeting
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
Benefits
£14,299 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the Kings birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant). Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing you to take up to an additional 2 days off each month.
- Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, compressed hours).
- Generous parental leave and adoption leave packages.
- A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%
- Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances.
- A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help meet the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes.
- Access to HM Treasurys benefits portal allowing you access to a range of discount codes for online shopping.
- A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity (e.g. women in the Treasury, ethnic minority network, LGBT* network, faith and belief network).
- Access to a range of allowances if eligibility applies. These include profession related allowances.
Flexible Working Arrangements
HM Treasury views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they can enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including; part-time, compressed hours and job sharing. Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees the flexibility to adjust their working patterns throughout the week which is subject to operational needs and line management approval.
At HM Treasury we have an incredibly broad remit; our work touches every citizen of the country. So, its important our employees come from the widest possible range of backgrounds, bringing us the widest possible range of perspectives and ways of thinking. We are committed to ensuring that all staff can realize their potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
HM Treasury operates an office based working approach across all Treasury sites – Darlington, London, and Norwich, and along with the rest of the Civil Service, has an expectation of a minimum of 60% attendance in the office, along with working remotely. This blended working approach allows you to work collaboratively, meet stakeholders face to face, support others and promotes a healthy work life balance (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyones circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. All our offices have been recently modernised and designed to collaborate and connect with colleagues as well as desk and quiet space to allow a range of ways to work.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Recruitment Timeline
Closing date: 2nd January 2024
Shortlisting: From 3rd January 2024
Interviews: From w/c 8th January 2024
This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline.
If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile.
Eligibility Statement
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Checks will be performed as part of pre-employment checks in line with this. Please refer to the Candidate FAQ document attached to the advert for more information.
Individuals appointed to the Treasury Group will be subject to National Security Vetting. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out applicants will normally need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. A lack of UK residency in itself is not always a bar to security clearance but the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case by case basis using all information that can be obtained following a successful application.
Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.
For many roles, security clearance is also required. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements of the role before they can be appointed. The level of security clearance required for this role is Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)
Please read the Vetting Charter for information on what to expect during the vetting process and what will be expected from you.
Many areas of your life may be explored during your vetting journey, and it is important that every individual, regardless of their background and experiences, should feel comfortable going through this personal process, whilst having confidence that it is fair, proportionate, and inclusive.
These short videos address common concerns and preconceptions which applicants may have about national security vetting.
If you have questions relating to security clearances, please contact HMTSecurityVetting@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Elizabeth Passey
- Email : elizabeth.passey@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk