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.  

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! 

Job description

About the Group

Enterprise and Growth Unit

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

Science, innovation and digital technology transform how we live and work. This brings new opportunities to unlock economic growth, improve productivity and create high skilled jobs. The Science, Technology & Access to Finance (STAF) team advises on how the UK can make the most of this opportunity. We oversee spending by, and lead the Treasury’s relationship with, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). We lead on the allocation and monitoring of R&D spending across government. We are responsible for HMT policy on the government’s 5 priority technologies - AI, quantum, telecoms, semiconductors and engineering biology. We set HMT’s strategy for the digital technology sector, one of the Chancellor’s five growth sectors. We lead on access to finance, including managing the Treasury’s relationship with the British Business Bank and delivering key policies announced by the Chancellor last summer at Mansion House to unlock more investment into the UK’s most innovative companies. These are top priorities for the Chancellor and Prime Minister, and require close work with teams across government, particularly in DSIT, Cabinet Office and No.10. We are a friendly team at the heart of many economics and finance issues in the Treasury. While working in a fast-paced policy environment, we support a diverse range of working patterns and value a broad range of experiences within the team.

This role sits within the Digital Technology Unit, which is responsible for HMT’s strategy for the digital technology sector and leads on exciting areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Unit works collaboratively with departments such as DSIT and DBT to develop policy that will support the growth of the UK’s AI sector, from investing in computing power, to attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the UK’s AI infrastructure. The Unit also leads HMT’s work on digital regulation including the Online Safety Act, and the UK's approach to AI regulation.

It is an exciting time to join the team as we work on a range of high-profile topics, ahead of the next Spending Review. Maximising the growth and productivity benefits of AI and digital tech are key priorities of the Chancellor and the Prime Minister. The Unit therefore works on some of the most topical policy questions and you should expect to receive lots of senior exposure and be stretched. The Unit also leads on HMT’s engagement with the tech sector, which involves supporting Ministerial meetings, visits and trips.

About the Job 

This is an exciting and fast paced role that is central to how HMG responds to the opportunities and risks posed by AI, alongside how we support the growth of the tech sector.

You do not need to have background in AI or digital technology to apply. We’re looking for a highly motivated self-starter, who can pick up new material quickly and who is keen to learn about the policy area. As you progress in the role, you will be expected to develop a good working knowledge of the sector and have a view of what the key trends and issues are.

You should be someone who is confident working with quantitative and qualitative data and can use these analytical skills to assess policy problems, review business cases and develop nuanced policy advice. Given the work of the branch is high-profile, you will need to be adept at engaging with senior stakeholders and be effective at communicating policy positions clearly, concisely and persuasively.

We are also looking for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and who can balance multiple priorities and deadlines, while progressing longer-term pieces of work. As a team, we work very flexibly, sharing-out and redistributing work to manage the workload and promote a healthy work-life balance; you should be happy working collaboratively with a tight-knit team, who can quickly adjust to new priorities.  You may also have the opportunity to work across the wider Science, Technology and Access to Finance team on shared priorities, including on digital infrastructure policy.

Most of all, we’re looking for someone who is excited by the policy area, and who is willing to get stuck-in to drive forward workstreams that will meet Ministerial priorities for growth and productivity.

Key accountabilities of the role are:

1. HMT Lead on Digital Regulation. You will lead HMT’s engagement with the Online Safety Act, the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, and the UK’s approach to AI regulation as they are progressed through Parliament/implemented. You will be responsible for advising Ministers on key areas of HMT interest, responding to Write Rounds and engaging with consultations, to ensure they reflect HMT priorities on innovation and proportionality. You will also provide HMT spend control to the new regulatory regimes; in the next year this will primarily be the Online Safety Act, as it is implemented by Ofcom. You will work closely with the Range E and DSIT on the wider strategy for balancing HMG dual priorities for safety and security, with tech investment.
2. Develop AI and Tech Priorities for Fiscal Events: Working with the team, DSIT and wider colleagues in HMT you will identify priorities for HMT investment in tech and AI at Fiscal Events, including the next Spending Review. You will work with DSIT to assess the evidence base on market failures and growth opportunities, and work with HMT colleagues to scrutinise the affordability and value for money of different proposals. You will provide advice to Ministers on measures and interventions that meet their priorities.
3. Tech Sector Stakeholder Engagement: This role involves plenty of Ministerial visits, events and international trips. Working with other team members and HMT colleagues, you will provide Ministers with advice on how they should engage with the tech sector and briefings for these engagement opportunities. This will involve building a strong working knowledge of the sector and working closely with the relevant stakeholders to agree objectives and priorities for these different opportunities.
4. Briefings, Correspondence and Parliamentary Questions (PQs): The branch frequently receives commissions for briefing from across the department, as well as correspondence requests, PQs and FoIs. You will need to work flexibly with other team members to provide high quality input that meets these commissions and ensure that the team’s ‘standard lines’ and core facts about the sector and AI are up to date.

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. 

Wednesday 10th April 2024 12:00 - 12:30  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 Amy Ellington at amy.ellington@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.  

1. Making Effective Decisions: An ability to present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of complex and sometimes incomplete evidence.
2. Delivering at Pace: An ability to work independently, planning and driving forward longer-term projects, while also delivering high quality urgent work
3. Communicating and Influencing: An ability to communicate clearly in written work and verbally, influencing and persuading stakeholders to advance your objectives.

The lead criterion is: Making Effective Decisions

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

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,500, HM Treasury contributes £10,665 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Recruitment Timeline 

Closing date: Wednesday 17th April 2024 

Shortlisting: From 18th April 2024

Interviews:  w/c 29th April 2024 

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.

Location-Based Reserve Lists 

You will be placed on a reserve list if your application is successful, but we cannot offer you a post immediately. Where more than one location has been advertised, candidates will be approached for roles in merit order according to the first preferred location stated on your application form. 

Please note that a place on the reserve list does not guarantee an offer. We would still encourage you to apply for other HM Treasury opportunities that you are interested in. If you are offered a role in your first preferred location and you decline the offer or you are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe, you will be removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances. 

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. 

Individuals appointed to the Treasury Group will be subject to National Security Vetting. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out applicants will normally need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. A lack of UK residency in itself is not always a bar to security clearance but the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case by case basis using all information that can be obtained following a successful application. 

Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.  

For many roles, security clearance is also required. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements of the role before they can be appointed. The level of security clearance required for this role is Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)  

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.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.