At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead funding negotiations for Northern Ireland and collaborate with UK Government departments.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at HM Treasury focused on devolution and public spending.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Fast-paced role with opportunities for professional growth and team collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public services across the UK while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in public spending and strong stakeholder engagement skills required.
The predicted salary is between 57670 - 64500 £ per year.
Salary: £57,670 - £64,500
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full‑time, part‑time or job‑share available; flexible working hours can be accommodated
Location: Belfast / Darlington
About the Team
The Devolution team is a friendly team of around 15 people, with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We are currently based in London, Darlington and Edinburgh. The team is responsible for leading all aspects of the Treasury's strategic approach to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, sitting across the finance and economics ministry functions. We work closely with colleagues in the devolved governments, across Whitehall, and the whole department to:
- Manage the funding arrangements for the devolved governments and Offices for the Nations
- Work across the Treasury to advise Ministers on economic and fiscal policy interventions by the UK Government in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Increase HM Treasury's devolution capability
About the Job
In this role, you will:
- Lead engagement with and provide advice to Ministers on requests from the Northern Ireland Executive. This includes fiscal events, Spending Reviews, and Parliamentary Estimates
- Collaborate with central and spending teams across HM Treasury
- Oversee spending control for the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland offices
- Negotiate budgetary settlements during Spending Reviews
- Manage any in‑year financial pressures that occur
- Lead on Offices for the Nations policy, working closely with other UK Government departments on emerging policy issues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This requires the ability to develop novel solutions and influence work across UK Government departments. It also includes working within the Treasury to align with the UK Government's Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland strategy. This involves regular scrutiny of business cases, senior/ministerial engagement and drafting advice
- Contribute to the leadership and management of the Devolution team and make wider corporate contributions to the Group in line with the Directors' priorities
- Manage an SEO and an HEO including providing development support to ensure that individuals deliver their objectives, feel motivated, and continue to learn and develop in their roles. In addition, the postholder can expect to matrix manage others depending on wider team priorities
The role is intellectually stimulating and fast‑paced, offering outstanding exposure within HM Treasury and close work with other departments and devolved governments. For the right candidate, it is an exciting opportunity to develop deep expertise in public spending and devolution, lead a motivated team, and make a tangible difference to how government delivers for citizens across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
About You
We are looking for a Head of Northern Ireland Executive and Offices for the Nations Funding to lead on delivering and negotiating funding for the Northern Ireland Executive and also the Offices for the Nations (Scotland Office, Wales Office and Northern Ireland Office). You will play a key role in the delivery of Treasury fiscal events and Parliamentary Estimates, with responsibility for the spending of three UK Government departments and scrutinising requests from the Northern Ireland Executive. By setting the level of funding that the Offices for the Nations and Northern Ireland Executive receive from HM Treasury, your work will be critical to the effective functioning of devolution and support the delivery of public services to millions of people across the UK. This is a cross‑cutting and dynamic role that offers the opportunity to gain exposure to policy issues across the Treasury, as well as to collaborate with teams across the Treasury, other UK Government departments and the devolved governments. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, but the role requires leadership and stakeholder engagement skills, and advising seniors and ministers on complex policy decisions. Candidates should have public spending experience and/or knowledge of the devolution arrangements in Northern Ireland. The successful candidate will also be able to bring enthusiasm and motivation to the role, helping to lead and maintain a positive team dynamic.
Some of the Benefits our people love!
- 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).
- Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month
- Flexible working patterns (part‑time, job‑share, condensed hours)
- Generous parental and adoption leave packages
- Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 28.97%
- Access to a cycle‑to‑work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances
- A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity
Head of Northern Ireland Executive and Offices for the Nations Funding in Belfast employer: HM TREASURY-1
As a leading employer in the public sector, HM Treasury offers a dynamic and intellectually stimulating work environment in Belfast or Darlington, where you can make a tangible impact on public spending and devolution. With flexible working patterns, generous leave entitlements, and a strong commitment to employee development, you will thrive in a supportive culture that values collaboration and innovation. Join a motivated team dedicated to delivering effective governance and enhancing public services across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Northern Ireland Executive and Offices for the Nations Funding in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities you might not find on job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its recent projects. Show them you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills and experiences align with the role. Keep it concise and impactful to grab their attention.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love hearing from passionate candidates!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Northern Ireland Executive and Offices for the Nations Funding in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. We want to see how you can lead engagement and provide advice to Ministers, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant examples!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about leading a motivated team and engaging with stakeholders. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership style and any past experiences where you've successfully managed teams or projects.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! We appreciate straightforward language that gets to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your passion for public spending and devolution shines through.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our team there!
How to prepare for a job interview at HM TREASURY-1
✨Know Your Devolution Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of devolution arrangements, especially in Northern Ireland. Understand the funding mechanisms and how they impact public services. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also have a genuine understanding of the complexities involved.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to discuss how you would engage with various stakeholders, including Ministers and other government departments. Think about examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated complex stakeholder relationships. This is key for the role, so be ready to impress!
✨Show Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing a team, be prepared to talk about your leadership style and how you motivate others. Share specific examples of how you've developed team members or led projects to success. Highlighting your ability to inspire and guide a team will set you apart.
✨Be Ready for Policy Discussions
Expect questions around fiscal policy and economic interventions. Brush up on current issues affecting Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and think about how you would approach these challenges. Demonstrating your analytical skills and ability to develop novel solutions will be crucial.
