Policy Adviser - Strategy Unit

Salary: National: £44,600 - £47,906. If the successful candidate is a current Civil Servant joining on level transfer, HM Treasury will honour their current substantive salary if higher.

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: This post is available on a full time, part time or job share basis, and flexible working hours can be accommodated.

Location: Darlington (Feethams House)

Want to build a rewarding career at the heart of government? We're seeking an ambitious, proactive and committed individual who is eager to learn, develop and test themselves in a fast-paced, high-profile team. We are keen to see a wide range of applications, including from people with backgrounds both inside and outside of government. So, if this job sounds exciting, please do apply and give us the chance to consider you for this role!

About The Team

The Strategy Unit is a high-performing team of c.12 which directly supports the Treasury’s Executive Management Board (EMB) and Ministers. We designed and developed the Treasury’s current organisational strategy; play a leading role in shaping how the department’s resources, structures and processes are optimised to deliver for Ministers and the public; lead on the department’s medium-term policy challenges, including through a horizon-scanning function; and support the successful operation of the Darlington Economic Campus. We are passionate about helping our people thrive and building an encouraging, friendly and high-performing team. Corporate and social strands play a big part in ensuring the team is friendly, fun and encouraging. We are part of Strategy, Planning and Budget, alongside the department’s Budget and Finance Bill team, Growth Delivery Unit and priority projects unit.

About The Job

This is a fascinating, stretching and high-profile role in HMT’s Strategy Unit. We are recruiting for an ambitious, proactive, committed and intellectually curious postholder, who wants to develop their career, learn new skills and test themselves in a fast-paced and influential team. The successful candidate will work closely with our Permanent Secretaries and Directors General on the issues which matter most to the continued effectiveness of the Treasury, and to be at the centre of decision-making on the Treasury’s future. We will give you the support and development opportunities to thrive. You’ll need to have excellent judgement and be comfortable both presenting your ideas to senior colleagues and working closely with them to shape and deliver their priorities. Ideally, you will be passionate about public service and the opportunity to improve the way the Treasury works, delivering better outcomes for the country and its citizens. The nature of our work means this role can and will change over time, in line with Ministers’ and senior officials’ priorities. We flex projects and portfolios around individuals’ strengths, experiences and interests where possible, and review our approach as a team on a quarterly basis.

However, to provide some flavour, expected accountabilities in this role are likely to include:

• Coordinating the department’s approach to prioritising its work, setting out what the Treasury wants to achieve and how we plan to achieve it, including through collaborating closely with senior officials (EMB) and Ministers.
• Supporting decisions to match HMT’s resources with its priorities, including through our ‘Business Planning’ process. This will include working closely with the department’s Finance Director and Strategy Director.
• Supporting the development of the department’s organisational strategy, helping lead our thinking about how the Treasury can become more effective and efficient. This will include producing briefings and advice that help senior officials and Ministers make decisions on the topic. This cuts across every aspect of the Treasury’s work and provides an opportunity to work with senior officials and Ministers to influence the direction of the department.
• Taking ownership for scoping, planning, driving and evaluating discrete projects, often commissioned by senior stakeholders. This will involve rapidly developing knowledge of new issues to support robust and evidence-based solutions and advice.
• Providing a secretariat function for senior meetings, including our monthly Directors’ Forum.
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders, representing the work of the Strategy Unit and HM Treasury.

About You

We are looking for candidates who can think and act strategically, identifying opportunities to deliver effective change and bringing innovative, creative solutions to complex challenges. You will understand the wider context in which we operate, be able to navigate organisational dynamics, and use evidence from multiple sources to inform decision-making. You will thrive in a fast-paced environment, consistently delivering high-quality work to tight deadlines. You will take ownership of your work, effectively planning and prioritising across a varied portfolio and managing multiple competing priorities simultaneously. You will be skilled at building and maintaining strong relationships, gaining the trust of senior stakeholders and partner teams while supporting colleagues to achieve shared objectives. You will be an effective communicator, able to convey ideas clearly and persuasively to a range of audiences, including senior stakeholders.

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%.
• 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.