About the job

Job summary

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 - Public Services Group

The Public Services Group is at the heart of Treasury’s work to secure sustainable public finances and drive economic growth. We manage public spending of more than £250bn across key public services and departments, including health, education, the criminal justice system, local government, housing, defence and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

We do this by working with other government departments, ministers, and other Treasury teams to ensure that spending plans support high quality public services, help the economy to grow and provide value for money for the taxpayer. 

Our roles offer a range of opportunities to work with senior leaders in other government departments and on the frontline of public services and ensure the effective delivery of public services.

The Group is committed to being an excellent place to work, with a relentless focus on good management, learning and development and continuous improvement in everything we do.  

About the Team - Defence, Diplomacy and Intelligence

Defence, Diplomacy and Intelligence (DDI) is a small (c. 17 people) close-knit team working across National Security strategy and spending. We are responsible for a fascinating and exciting area, including working closely across the Ministry of Defence, No10, the Intelligence Agencies, Counter-Terrorism and Cyber security.

Our main focus is the effective and efficient use of taxpayer's money to deliver the UK's defence and security objectives, in line with the Treasury’s economic and public finance objectives. We lead the Treasury’s input into Strategic Security and Defence Reviews, most recently the Integrated Review (2021) and its refresh last year. This was the UK’s first ever combined review of defence, security and foreign policy. We also co-ordinate Treasury ministerial and official representation at various National Security fora, including National Security Council (NSC), National Security Ministers (NSM) and NSC Officials meeting.

About the Job

This is an exciting opportunity operating at the heart of the UK’s national security community. You will be the HM Treasury Spending Principal for the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC), encompassing the Security Service (MI5), Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) and Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) – collectively funded through the Single Intelligence Account (SIA).

You will scrutinise UKIC spending and performance and lead on negotiating UKIC’s settlement at the next spending review – which will take place against a large uplift in Defence spending and a contested external environment.

You will need to build strong relationships with senior figures in UKIC and the Cabinet Office National Security Secretariat (NSS), who support the Cabinet Secretary in his role as Principal Accounting Officer. You will also need to engage across the security and defence system more broadly, representing HMT at a range of cross-government meetings and leading on cross-cutting national security policy issues.  

The sensitivity of the work and complexities of UKIC as a stakeholder presents unique challenges. The role has a high level of exposure to senior officials in UKIC and with Ministers in HMT and you will need to operate with a high degree of autonomy and discretion, as well as being comfortable exercising your judgement.

Core responsibilities of the portfolio include:

1. Spending Principal for the SIA – lead oversight of the Single Intelligence Account’s (SIA) in-year financial management and estimates process with a view to delivering value for money and effective national security outputs. You will lead HMT scrutiny of a portfolio of major programmes - such as transformation of the SIA’s digital infrastructure, advise the CST and Chancellor on a wide range of issues and support HMT seniors at quarterly oversight meetings chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.
2. Deliver the next spending review (SR) – lead HMT’s preparations for the SR, understanding the priorities of the SIA, establishing shared priorities and working closely with the Cabinet Office to shape and scrutinise bids. You will lead negotiations with UKIC and advise the CST and Chancellor on how to deliver a settlement that balances national security objectives with affordability and wider HMG priorities.
3. Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR): In the event of a new SDSR which may follow the election, you will lead on security and intelligence aspects of the Review for HMT– ensuring that conclusions take account of the SR, are aligned to the threats we face and interventions reflect value for money.
4. HMT lead on national security policy: You will also have a policy brief, working with HMT teams on issues ranging from counter-terrorism, state threats and emerging technology to ensure growth, prosperity and spending implications are considered alongside national security objectives in cross-government policy making.

This role will be based in HMT’s Darlington Economic Campus, with one direct report based in London.

Candidates for this post will be expected to undergo Developed Vetting clearance, however candidates will be able to join HM Treasury with Security Check clearance in the first instance. If the successful candidate is unable to obtain Developed Vetting clearance they will be moved to another Range E role within the group. 

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: Ability to analyse and accurately interpret data from various sources to support decisions, finding the best option by identifying risks and benefits, inviting challenge where appropriate.
2. Communicating and Influencing: Ability to establish effective working relationships and communicate in a clear, honest way, delivering difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity while being persuasive when required.
3. Seeing the Big Picture: Ability to ensure plans and activities reflect wider strategic priorities and adopt a government-wide perspective to ensure alignment of activity.
4. Delivering at Pace: Effectively manage competing priorities to deliver high-priority work to deadlines.
   
   

The lead criteria is: Making Effective Decisions: Ability to analyse and accurately interpret data from various sources to support decisions, finding the best option by identifying risks and benefits, inviting challenge where appropriate.

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

Candidate Guidance Support Session

We will be running an overview of Success Profiles and the STAR approach; top tips for the application and interview process and an opportunity to ask general questions around our recruitment practices. If you would like to join us, please use the link below to join the call at the scheduled time.

Wednesday 15th May – 12:45pm – 1:30pm 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £52,960, HM Treasury contributes £14,299 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 Strengths.

 Recruitment Timeline 

Closing date: 19th May 2024

Shortlisting: week commencing 20th May 2024

Interviews: week commencing 27th May and 3rd June 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.

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 the past 10 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  Developed Vetting (DV).  

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 developed vetting (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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.