Policy Adviser

Do you want to be part of ensuring that the UK is equipped to meet its long-term infrastructure needs? Do you enjoy solving complex problems?

If this sounds like a challenge you would enjoy, please apply for this post.​

​The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) is looking for a Policy Adviser to support the development of the UK’s long term infrastructure strategy. There will be an opportunity to work on projects across energy, transport, water and wastewater, solid waste, flood risk management and digital communications. The Commission is currently developing its workplan after publication of the Second National Infrastructure Assessment and candidates could be working in any one of the above sectors. Candidates are welcome to express a preference of sectors to work on, but will need to be flexible to accommodate the Commission’s workplan.

This is an opportunity to work creatively and rigorously on some of the most pressing issues for UK infrastructure, and independent from government policy, over the long-term, shaping how these sectors will support our society, environment, and economy into the future.

The post holder will have experience of scoping projects, gathering, analysing and interpreting data and insights from a wide variety of internal and external sources and applying this  to inform policy development. 

This is an exciting time to work at the Commission as it develops its forward workplan, building on the Second National Infrastructure Assessment.

About the NIC

By joining us, you’ll play a key role in delivering independent advice to government on the UK’s long-term infrastructure needs. We do this to help support sustainable economic growth across the whole of the UK, improve competitiveness, support climate resilience and the transition to net zero, and ultimately improve the quality of life of UK citizens.

In fulfilling our purpose and objectives, we:

• Set a long term agenda – identifying the UK’s major economic infrastructure needs, and the pathways to address them,
• Develop fresh approaches and ideas – basing our independent policy recommendations on rigorous analysis, and
• Focus on driving change – building consensus on our policy recommendations, and monitoring government progress on their delivery.

Our core responsibilities include: 

• Producing a National Infrastructure Assessment once every five years, setting out the Commission’s assessment of long-term infrastructure needs with recommendations to government on how to meet them.
• Carrying out in-depth studies into the UK’s most pressing infrastructure challenges and making recommendations to government, and monitoring the Government’s progress in delivering infrastructure policy and programmes recommended by the NIC and influencing the policy debate. 

We are a small, friendly organisation where policy experts, economists and analysts work together intensively in project teams, rather than silos. We work to support the Commissioners to push for action on and endorse our recommendations and to monitor government’s progress in implementing them. For more information, see The Commission Way.

The Secretariat is led by our Chief Executive, supported by a Senior Management Team, comprising the Chief Economist, Directors of Policy and Chief Operating Officer. The Commission is chaired by Sir John Armitt, with nine other Commissioners at present.

The NIC’s corporate plan sets out how we deliver our remit and objectives.  

About the Job

We are looking for a policy professional to join us as a Policy Adviser. This role will be critical in supporting the Commission in understanding and finding solutions to potential challenges as it works to address the UK’s infrastructure challenges.

There will be an opportunity to work on projects on one or more of energy, transport, water and wastewater, waste, flood risk management and digital communications. Potential future projects include considering new transport infrastructure requirements and the impact technology could have on the transport system, developing recommendations to ensure the energy network is net zero ready, and projects to further strengthen the recommendations set out in the Commission’s Second National Infrastructure Assessment.

The successful candidate will work in multi-disciplinary teams including specialists in policy and economics. The role will involve building effective working relationships with others including government departments, consultants, academics, engineers and a wide range of other interest groups. The role will entail a blend of policy development work, project and stakeholder management, research and strategic thinking and require experience of developing and delivering policy projects. The work produced will be evidence based, rigorous and compelling enough to have a direct impact on government policy.

The successful candidate will be expected to: 

1. Identify policy problems and objectives, develop practical solutions based on the evaluation of complex and technical research and evidence. Use this analysis and insight to develop policy that responds to the broader political and strategic context.
2. Evaluate and summarise information that will support the Commission’s understanding of key infrastructure issues. Use the analysis to develop insight and deeper understanding of policy issues.
3. Draft high-quality reports and supporting materials, written in plain but engaging English, with a clear and compelling narrative, well-structured arguments and sensitivity to political and presentational impacts.
4. Develop effective relationships with colleagues across the Commission and with other government departments, regulatory, academic and other stakeholders to communicate the work and views of the Commission as well as to obtain evidence that can be used to inform our work.
5. Manage and structure the delivery of your own work and the work of others on the team and/or external consultants. This will include making use of project management tools such as project plans, risk registers, stakeholder engagement plans. You will also need to prioritise yours and others time between different pieces of work to meet deadlines.

A background in infrastructure and policy is desirable, but not essential. We welcome applications from candidates with the transferable skills necessary to undertake the role.

If you would like further information or to informally discuss the role, please get in touch with Jonathan.Chappell@nic.gov.uk   

Required Behaviours:

1. You can demonstrate an awareness of contemporary issues and trends that impact upon infrastructure policy, along with the wider political and economic context, and can use this knowledge to strengthen analysis and policy development. (Behaviour: Seeing the big picture)
2. You can work independently to set your own agenda and prioritise between different competing demands. You can deploy project management techniques effectively and engage effectively across your team to support others, keeping your work and the wider project on track. (Behaviour: Delivering at pace)
3. You can interpret and analyse technical qualitative and quantitative information. You will be able to use this to bring together evidence from different sources and form considered conclusions from this to inform policy development. (Behaviour: Making effective decisions)
4. You can communicate effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders, both in writing and orally. You adapt your communication style appropriately to your audience and can explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand. (Behaviour: Communicating and influencing)

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Location and Hybrid Working

This position will be based at the Commission’s Leeds office. One Embankment, Neville Street, Leeds. LS1 4DW.

All staff work a hybrid pattern, spending a minimum of 2 days a week (pro rata) in an office, on average. Our hybrid working style gives us flexibility to manage personal commitments alongside getting the job done well.

Learning and Development

We work hard to create an environment in which people enjoy working, and have a genuine commitment to ongoing learning and development, investing in training and internal events to share knowledge and enhance our skills.

Flexible Working Arrangements

The NIC 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 working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.

We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package.

At the NIC we have a broad remit, so it’s 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 realise their potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Benefits

• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the Queen’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant)
• Flexible working patterns, as above
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions. Find out more about Civil Service pensions
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving
• Access to a retail discounts and cashback benefits site
• As the commission is an HM Treasury arms length body, it has access to a range of active HM Treasury 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)

Job contact :

• Name : Jon Chappell
• Email : jonathan.chappell@nic.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk