Policy Adviser - Employment Rights and Regulation
HM Treasury
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 3rd November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
About 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.
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!
Job description
About the Group
The Enterprise and Growth Unit (EGU) promotes sustainable economic growth and higher productivity for the UK. We provide analysis and advice on enterprise, innovation, private sector investment and a cost-effective transition to a low-carbon economy. The Enterprise and Growth Unit has a varied and exciting agenda and we work closely with a wide variety of other teams across the Treasury.
We also work alongside other departments and government organisations to ensure that we are thinking creatively, spending wisely, and acting boldly to deliver these goals. These organisations are:
- the Department for Business and Trade,
- the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero,
- the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs,
- the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology,
- the Department for Transport,
- the Department for Culture, Media & Sport,
- the Competition and Markets Authority,
- HM Land Registry, and
- UK Export Finance
About the Team
The Infrastructure, Labour Markets and Migration Team is a friendly team of around 20 policy advisers and economists which sits at the heart of the Treasury’s economics ministry function.
- We set the government’s overarching strategy for infrastructure by setting spending priorities, supporting more investment, and facilitating improved delivery
- We lead on the development of key institutions such as the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.
- We lead for HM Treasury on key growth-focused policy areas, including the government’s employment and migration policy.
About the Job
Government Policies – the plans we make and actions we take – shape lives. 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, groups with expertise and the public. To work on policy as a Policy Adviser, 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.
You don’t need to be a policy professional or have any specific qualifications to apply to work as a Policy Adviser at HM Treasury. We are looking for people who have the skills for the role, who demonstrate the values of our organisation, and who are motivated to work on a range of issues that are at the heart of how we spend money and deliver public services.
This role offers a superb opportunity to apply your skills to a vital part of the Government’s implementation of the Plan to Make Work Pay. This is a priority area for the Government, and the postholder will lead on a wide range of policy areas in the Plan, especially through the new Employment Rights Bill. Alongside close working with the Department for Business and Trade and other government departments, day to day responsibilities could vary from advising Ministers on the overall delivery of the Plan, to coordinating HM Treasury’s work in progressing the Employment Rights Bill through various stages of parliamentary scrutiny.
The role would suit someone who is flexible, can quickly build relationships and make progress on issues which interact with a wide range of stakeholders. You will have the opportunity to project manage HM Treasury’s input to the development of the Employment Rights Bill, while also working closely with other departments on the development of policies relating to employment rights. Responsibilities may vary with those priorities and can be tailored according to development needs, but could include:
Key Accountabilities for this role include:
- Project managing HM Treasury’s overall engagement and support of the Employment Rights Bill: acting as a key point of contact between the Department for Business and HM Treasury, and coordinating HM Treasury’s response to Bill developments.
- Advise ministers on policy options to enable them to make informed decisions, working with data and other evidence, and collaborating with economic and other policy advisers in HM Treasury’s Economics and Tax and Welfare groups.
- Lead on ministerial and Special Adviser briefings to assist ministers in dealing with the media and Parliament.
- Act as a key point of contact on specific employment right policy areas, dealing with any problems or queries as they arise.
- Contribute to the strategy and culture of the wider Infrastructure, Labour Markets and Migration team and the Enterprise and Growth Unit as a whole, to foster a positive, inclusive and development-focused place to work.
Candidate Drop-In Session – Microsoft Teams
The hiring manager will be running a joint candidate drop-in session for this role alongside a separate SEO post within the team, to give you greater insight about the role as well as the chance to learn more about HM Treasury and ask any questions you may have. If you would like to join us, then use the link below to join the call at the right time.
Wednesday 23rd October at 14:00: Join the meeting now
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 Benedict.Fischer@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Person specification
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.
- Strong organisational skills, and ability to handle competing priorities, delivering high quality work in a fast-paced environment. (Delivering at Pace)
- Building strong relationships with a range of partners to work together on shared objectives and resolve areas of difference (Working Together)
- Ability to understand how your work fits into your department’s priorities, balancing wider political and economic context. (Seeing the Big Picture)
The lead criterion is: Delivering at Pace
If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criterion only.
Candidate Guidance Support Session – Microsoft Teams
We will be running an overview of Success Profiles and the STAR approach including top tips for the application and interview process and an opportunity to ask general questions around our recruitment practices. Please note that this session is not role specific, so we will be unable to answer specific questions about roles we are advertising. If you would like to join us, please use one of the links below to join the call at your preferred time.
Thursday 17th October at 12:30: Join the meeting now
Thursday 31st October at 12:30: Join the meeting now
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
- Seeing the Big Picture
Benefits
- 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.
- A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 28%
- 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 and diversity
Flexible Working Arrangements
HM Treasury 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; part-time, compressed hours and job sharing. Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees the flexibility to adjust their working patterns throughout the week which is subject to operational needs and line management approval.
At HM Treasury we have an incredibly broad remit; our work touches every citizen of the country. 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.
HM Treasury operates an office based working approach across all Treasury sites - Darlington, London, and Norwich, and along with the rest of the Civil Service, has an expectation of a minimum of 60% attendance in the office, along with 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.
The office working expectation is linked to the location of the role. If you apply to a post in a single location, then you will not be able to meet this expectation at any of our other sites or move your role to another location.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Recruitment Timeline
Closing date: 3rd November
Shortlisting: w/c 4th November
Interviews: w/c 11th / 18th November
This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline.
If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile.
Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted.
Eligibility Statement
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Checks will be performed as part of pre-employment checks in line with this. Please refer to the Candidate FAQ document attached to the advert for more information.
Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. Additionally, individuals appointed to the Treasury group will be subject to National Security Vetting. The level of security vetting required for this role is Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)
To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, applicants will need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. In exceptional circumstances, a lack of residency would not be a bar to security clearance however the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case by case basis once the advert closing date has passed.
Please read the Vetting Charter for information on what to expect during the vetting process and what will be expected from you. Many areas of your life may be explored during your vetting journey, and it is important that every individual, regardless of their background and experiences, should feel comfortable going through this personal process, whilst having confidence that it is fair, proportionate, and inclusive.
These short videos address common concerns and preconceptions which applicants may have about national security vetting. If you have questions relating to security clearances, please contact HMTSecurityVetting@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Ben Fischer
- Email : Benedict.Fischer@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Further information
