Senior Policy Adviser – International Group

HM Treasury

If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s 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. It’s central government, made more accessible to you! 

International Group 

Do you want to advise ministers on promoting and protecting the UK’s economy and its competitiveness internationally in a fast-changing environment?  If so, read on!  

International Group provides opportunities to work on areas including – spending control on international development, trade policy, climate change, health, cooperation on Ukraine, economic security, financial sanctions and tackling illicit finance.  We also manage economic relationships with Europe, US, China and other advanced economies and emerging markets.  

We build relationships with external and international partners and represent the UK in a range of international groupings and institutions, including the G7, the G20, the International Monetary Fund and at some of the Multilateral Development Banks. We also analyse international comparisons and the wider global economic context, including for fiscal events.  Although international travel is an important part of some roles, it is not required for every role in the group and will be specified if required.   

About the Team

We are recruiting for up to three Range E/Grade 7s to join our teams, at an exciting and challenging time for international economic policy. These posts will be in the International Finance and International Partnerships and Trade directorates of the International Group.  

The International Finance Directorate consists of two teams (approximately 35 people): International Finance & Development (IFD), and Global Issues & Governance (GIG). It is a high profile, friendly and supportive area with oversight of a range of areas – ranging from Overseas Development Aid spending and development policy, through to leading coordination and engagement on the Treasury’s G7 and G20 membership. The Trade Policy team is in the International Partnerships and Trade directorate, alongside three other teams which focus on our bilateral relationships with key countries such as the US, India and Japan, on our relationship with the Europe Union, and on understanding and analysing the global economy. 

These teams are at the heart of Treasury’s work to promote and protect the UK’s international economic interests. We support the Chancellor and senior officials in building relationships with a wider range of external and international partners and represent the UK in a range of international organisations, such as the G7, G20, IMF and Multilateral Development Banks, as well as designing and influencing UK trade policy to deliver the Chancellor’s fiscal and economic objectives.

International Finance & Development – This team leads on: all Overseas Development Aid and FCDO spending issues (i.e. the foreign aid budget); the Treasury’s interests at the World Bank and other multilateral development banks; and Government-wide Development spending issues. In addition, the team leads on our relationship with the International Monetary Fund and the government’s policies regarding sovereign debt – which includes representation at forums such as the Paris Club.  

Global Issues & Governance – This team supports the Chancellor and senior officials in the UK’s major multilateral economic relationships, including the G7 and G20 Finance tracks and their related working groups.  Its other focus is resilience and sustainability, including public health, climate and environment issues. 

Trade Policy – This positive and welcoming team has responsibility for policy and legislation on the UK Global Tariff; for development of HMT policy on Carbon Leakage, including Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAM); for tracking and influencing the UK Government’s trade agenda, including at the WTO and in FTAs; and for monitoring and providing analysis on global trade issues; all with a view to ensuring trade policy is leveraged to support the Treasury’s economic and fiscal objectives. 

The IF teams have a close relationship with each other, and with a number of teams in International Group (including Trade Policy) and other spending teams across the department. Trade Policy also works closely with customs policy, Financial Services and Tax teams across the Treasury as well as with Whitehall. These roles offer a range of opportunities to work with ministers, senior leaders in HM Treasury and other government departments, and in particular with the FCDO.

About the Job

We are recruiting for up to three Range E/Grade 7s to join our teams, at an exciting and challenging time for international economic policy. The exact role and responsibilities would depend on the skills and experience of the successful candidates as well as the vacancies which arise in the teams in the coming months.  

Our roles all provide different exciting and stretching responsibilities, requiring strategic thinking, strong policy judgment and excellent leadership skills. These posts will require the successful candidate(s) to become the HMT knowledge expert on the relevant policy area across the remit of the two teams, and to work collaboratively to deliver the right outcomes.  

These roles provide a great mix of international relationship handling, designing and influencing of international and domestic policy and in places owning policy for government e.g. debt or tariff policy. Great policy making is about understanding what needs to change, what problems need to be solved and supporting Ministers to arrive at the best solution to deliver the change. Policy also means working out how we are going to make the changes or solve the problems, and then delivering on those plans. To do all this, we need to build relationships with Ministers, Civil Service colleagues, international partners, groups with expertise and the public. You will need to demonstrate a range of skills, including strong problem-solving skills, the ability to clearly explain your thinking both in writing and in person, and the drive to overcome challenges and see your ideas through into action and delivery.  

Key responsibilities will include:  

1. Providing high quality policy advice on policy issues to senior officials, and the Chancellor and other ministers, across an array of different policy and handling issues.  
2. Analysing quantitative and qualitative information from a variety of sources to inform decisions, including identifying key strengths and weaknesses in complex arguments. 
3. Working flexibly and collaboratively across Treasury and the Government to defend HMT’s interest, collaborating positively. In particular working hand in glove with the FCDO and DBT.  
4. Managing a small team positively, supporting the team’s wellbeing and ensuring all individuals have stretching roles and responsibilities. 
5. Making a positive contribution to the work and life of the whole team, by working in a supportive and inclusive way. 

One of the roles we are likely to fill through this recruitment focusses on Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) Spending. As well as those above, the key responsibilities for this role include:  

1. Managing a c.£13 billion annual ODA budget, working across HMT and Government to ensure the ODA budget provides good value for money for the taxpayer, whilst supporting Government’s international objectives.  
2. Delivering a significant Spending Review, setting and allocating ODA budgets for 2025/26 and possibly beyond.  
3. Providing high quality policy advice on ODA and development related issues to the Chancellor and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, for example through managing HMT’s interests in co-chairing the cross-Government ODA board.  

You don’t need to be a policy professional or have any specific qualifications to apply to work in these roles at HM Treasury. We are looking for people who have the right set of skills for the role, who demonstrate the values of our organisation, and who are motivated to come and work with us on a range of issues that are at the heart of how we spend money and deliver public services. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply, and actively promote and encourage flexible working arrangements across the organisation. 

Successful applicants without previous experience in the relevant field will be encouraged to undertake training to develop their expertise. For example, on trade knowledge, taking part in the cross-government Trade Practitioner training. 

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.  

Date: Thursday 30th November 2023

Time: 2pm 

Location: Microsoft Team Meeting 

Click here to join the meeting  

Meeting ID: 356 378 517 079  
Passcode: e7CAGX  

We would also be very happy to meet interested candidates in person in the coming weeks to discuss the teams and potential roles. Please let hiring managers listed below know if you would like to be kept updated on these visits happening in person. 

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 Claire Macfarlane (Claire.macfarlane@hmtreasury.gov.uk); Catherine Stewart (catherine.stewart@hmtreasury.gov.uk)  Sam McGeever (sam.mcgeever@hmtreasury.gov.uk);, who both head up the three teams in this directorate for which this job advert relates.

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.  

You will be assessed on the following criteria:

1. Analysing quantitative and qualitative information from a variety of sources to inform decisions, including identifying key strengths and weaknesses in complex arguments. (Making Effective Decisions) 
2. Ability to establish effective working relationships and communicate in a clear, honest way, delivering difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity while being persuasive when required. (Communicating and Influencing) 
3. Evidence of a successful track record of simultaneously delivering across a range of different areas, balancing competing priorities (Delivering at Pace)  

The lead criteria is: Making Effective Decisions. 

If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criteria only. 

We will assess the further criteria at interview as set out below;   

Required Qualifications: degree level qualification.  

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. 

Friday 1st December 2023 12:30 – 13:00hrs Click here to join the meeting

At interview stage, you will be assessed on the below criteria:

Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Interview Task/Presentation

Prior to your interview, we will contact you about a task/presentation that the interview panel would like you to complete as part of the assessment. The exact details will be communicated to you nearer the time. 

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant)

• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)

• Generous parental and adoption leave package

• Onsite restaurant and coffee bar. The London office also offers a gym, showers and prayer room

• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving

• Access to a retail discounts and cashback site

• A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help meet the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes

• 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).

Flexible working arrangements:   

HM Treasury views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to 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.

HM Treasury operates an office based working approach across all Treasury sites – Darlington, London, and Norwich, with the expectation of achieving 50% attendance in the office as a minimum requirement, along with the flexibility of 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 everyone’s 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.

Job contact :

• Name : Claire Macfarlane, Sam McGeever or Catherine Stewart
• Email : claire.macfarlane@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk