Advisor – Policy & Strategy, Defence (Fixed Term Contract - 12 months) in Leeds

Overview

Shape the Future with the National Wealth Fund.

The National Wealth Fund mobilises trusted sector insights and investment expertise to unlock billions in private finance for projects across the United Kingdom.

We provide £27.8bn of capital and an expanded mandate to help the market invest with confidence and to drive forward Government growth ambitions.

We are looking for skilled and results-oriented individuals to help build the Fund into an industry-leading institution.

Role Purpose

This is a 12 month fixed term contract opportunity for an ambitious individual to work with the National Wealth Fund, an operationally independent public financial institution owned by HM Treasury.

As a Policy & Strategy Advisor, you will work with government departments and NWF’s Investment & Advisory team to deliver on NWF’s £100bn mission to drive long-term growth and clean energy across the UK.

The role focuses on strengthening the UK’s sovereign and strategic capabilities, particularly investments into the UK’s defence industrial base.

Your work will help NWF navigate the interactions between defence and security policy while ensuring investments are commercially and financially viable.

You will help deliver on the shareholder HM Treasury’s ambitions for NWF including: to invest in growth opportunities underpinning the UK’s national security; to back domestic supply chains for growth and resilience; and to work more widely across investment opportunities supporting defence outcomes including enabling infrastructure.

You will lead a portfolio of work on the policy aspects of defence investment and national security policy, supporting the investment pipeline and acting as part of deal teams leading on policy due diligence for individual transactions.

You will also act as a regulatory expert in relation to defence, lead on trusted capital, and support operational and senior policy engagement with MOD, as well as acting as a bridge to other parts of HMG, including NSSIF and the Cabinet Office.

The exact policy area and role will depend on business needs and will be discussed with candidates at interview stage.

• Core Accountabilities
• Policy, Strategy and

Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key public and private sector stakeholders with a focus on the Ministry of Defence to understand and influence policy developments, ensuring NWF activity delivers government policy aims, including against the SDR, DIP and DFIS.

• Policy development: Lead on developing and implementing policy aspects of the National Wealth Fund’s investment mandate as it relates to defence investment, supporting the effective use of public funds to mobilise private investment into defence and national security, including through the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy.
• Cross-cutting policy: Lead work on discrete policy issues, producing policy papers on emerging thinking and trends to support decision making by the NWF’s Executive Committee and Board.
• Risk and opportunity: Spot key issues, risks and opportunities relevant to policy areas and work with other functions to identify and recommend paths forward.
• Stakeholder engagement: Support CEO engagement with national security and defence stakeholders internal and external to HMG and represent the Fund at external events as required; coordinate external strategy advisors as needed.
• Defence
• Sector

Investment: Collaborate across teams to develop and deliver defence investment programmes in support of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, clean energy and growth missions, including appraisal of proposals and due diligence on transactions.

• Deal support: Work in cross-functional deal teams with banking, impact and risk colleagues, contribute to Investment Committee papers, and brief senior colleagues to align with the Fund’s objectives.

Essential Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Experience in a policy or policy delivery role in or alongside the Ministry of Defence or UK government (HMG).
• Ability to lead or influence policy change and a track record of delivering projects within government or in collaboration with government bodies.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with multiple stakeholders; self-starter with initiative and capable of driving progress at pace.
• Collaborative working style with senior and external colleagues; ability to influence effectively and provide constructive challenge.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to articulate policy positions internally and externally.
• Active SC clearance or the ability to secure SC clearance; substantive G6/G7 or equivalent current or prior grade (if exited HMG).

Desirable Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Experience in strategy, policy or investment-focused roles with understanding of the defence investment landscape and the role of private finance in delivering DIP and DFIS.
• Experience in defence or national security sectors such as clean energy, transport, water, green hydrogen, carbon capture, ports, gigafactories, green steel; experience in industrial strategy sectors like technology or advanced manufacturing.

A career with us offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact and work on cutting-edge technologies that will drive the UK’s future.

We value diversity and inclusion as core to our work.

We offer competitive benefits and opportunities from combining private and public sector skills and experience.

References and background checks are carried out for all roles.

Appointments will be made on merit, reflecting diversity and breadth of experience across the UK.

Roles are open to full-time, part-time or job-share applicants.

Job-share applicants should provide individual CVs and a joint cover letter with both applications.

A background check will be conducted for successful candidates in line with policy and industry best practices.

Salaries will be offered commensurate with experience and performance during the selection process.

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