About the job

Job summary

This is an exciting time to join the newly-created Smarter Regulation Directorate in the Department for Business and Trade. It was formed following the recent merger of the Better Regulation Executive and Brexit Opportunities Unit within the Competition, Markets, and Regulatory Reform Group. Its mission is to work to ensure that the UK’s regulatory approach is proportionate, targeted, transparent and optimised to support innovation and maximise growth, delivering better outcomes for the economy and society. 

We are a friendly and inclusive directorate with a range of exciting policies. Our work underpins the government’s ambitions to reform the regulatory agenda. It’s ambitious, high-profile and of significant interest to the Secretary of State, ministers and senior officials across government.  

This advert is for three G7 roles in the Economic Regulation Team to lead on policy development to deliver new approaches to economic regulation in key sectors. This includes the ‘Implementation’ side of the team, that will support the delivery of the government response to the consultation on strengthening economic regulation in the energy, water and telecoms sectors, including subsequent implementation of any chosen ways forward. It also includes a newly-created ‘Design’ side of the team, where the focus is on working with relevant departments across government and regulators on new approaches to economic regulation in the above key sectors, as well as others such as rail and aviation, to support growth and improved outcomes for consumers and businesses.  

Both economic regulation policy teams work together very closely – there will be at least one role available in each team, and the allocation of the third role will depend on business needs at the end of the campaign.  

Job description

We are seeking dynamic and enthusiastic individuals to lead on policy development. The roles offer significant policy and strategy leadership, with excellent exposure to ministers and opportunities to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including at very senior levels, across government, regulators and externally. 

All roles currently involve line management of one SEO, but this may be subject to change and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For the Economic Regulation Implementation role(s), you will be: 

• Owning and leading policy development of at least one policy area or sector for economic regulation. 
• Building and maintaining relationships across other government departments to gain buy-in, test and agree policy.  
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with a range of external stakeholders to promote economic regulation, gather views and intelligence. 
• Supporting ministerial and senior official engagement and key moments.  
• Supporting the development and adaptation of overall strategy to progress the design and implementation of economic regulation. 

For the Economic Regulation Design role(s), you will be: 

• Taking advantage of the opportunity to be part of a newly-created team, where your input will be key to determining how that team is set up and the culture it embodies. 
• Researching what the issues in the key economically regulated sectors are – in energy, water, and telecoms, as well as potentially sectors such as rail and aviation.  
• Analysing what the long-term strategic solutions could be, their pros and cons, and what issues might come up in a changing political landscape.  
• Evaluating what the path to implementation of the solutions could be, as well as the prospects of success and risks of implementation. 
• Providing key strategic engagement and influence. There will also be agile/reactive work where it aligns with the aims of the team/work, whilst ensuring the focus remains on the long-term strategic work. 

Please note: We plan to hold one or two information sessions for all potential candidates to join, including time for Q&A. If you would be interested in joining one of these then please email either henry.phillips@businessandtrade.gov.uk or christina.head@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Person specification

Essential Criteria 

Please use your personal statement to demonstrate how you would be a great choice to perform the role responsibilities and meet the below essential criteria.

Please also state preferences for either role – these will be taken into consideration for successful candidates, although the panel may offer the role that is the most suitable match to the candidate’s strengths.  

• Excellent policy skills, with the ability to effectively compile, understand, analyse and present evidence, to arrive at options identifying clear pros, cons and recommendations. 
• Ability to quickly get to grips with a situation and problem-solve at pace. 
• Can adapt and deliver efficiently and effectively, even when working with uncertainty and ambiguity. 
• Understanding the political, economic and societal landscape and use good judgement to arrive at deliverable solutions 
• Ability to work collaboratively within and across teams and to build and maintain relationships across the Department, across government, and with external stakeholders.

Desirable Criteria  

• Experience and understanding of economic regulators, key regulated sectors, and/or regulatory issues. 
• Experience in line management.

Personal Attributes & Skills

• Can demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and professionalism, showing genuine care for the team and other colleagues, creating an inclusive working environment and a clear commitment to civil service values and high standards.  
• Can demonstrate leadership skills in managing and taking responsibility for policy through ambiguity, change, and periods of high demand and challenge. 
• Can work independently on complex policy areas, and enjoys autonomy, taking the initiative to make sense of and drive forward work in an area where the political landscape is evolving. 
• Ability to understand a wider government perspective on developments to ensure policy is relevant and ensure plans reflect wider strategic priorities. 
• Demonstrates excellent commitment to management, promoting and undertaking learning and development and contributing to wider team leadership.  
• Excellent written and presentational skills. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £53,560, Department for Business and Trade contributes £14,461 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 and Experience.

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception. 

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:    

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages. 
• A Personal Statement of up to 750 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.   

After the closing date It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change.

As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your interview.

Reasonable Adjustments 

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:  

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.  

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.   

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. 

Candidate Support 

You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session to guide you through the application process.  Please note that this is separate to any guidance on the role itself.  These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.   

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.

Further Information:

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.   
• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.  
• New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.  
• Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.   
• A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.  
• Terms and Conditions are attached.  Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
• Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.

Reasonable travel between DBT offices for in-person meetings, including with Ministers and external stakeholders, is part of all roles.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland/Access NI on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk 

Vetting

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.   

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security 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.