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 Ministerial and Communications Group sits at the heart of the Treasury. If you are interested in the inner workings of the Government, meeting Ministers, Senior Officials and liaising with the Press then this could be the place for you! We are a friendly and inclusive Group working on some of the most exciting issues of the day, bringing together work from across the rest of the department and engaging closely with partners across Whitehall and beyond.

We provide support to Ministers, through Ministerial offices. We act as Treasury's external face, through the Press Office and Communications team. We are responsible for managing the department, through our support for the Permanent Secretary, the Second Permanent Secretaries, the Treasury Board, and the Executive Management Board (EMB), and our ownership of Treasury governance structures. The Group is led by the Permanent Secretary.

About the Team

The roles each sit in small, fast-paced teams which offer the chance to work in the centre of government and help deliver Treasury policy across broad and complex portfolios. They are excellent opportunities for ambitious candidates looking to kick start a successful career in the Civil Service.

Ministerial Private Offices help government ministers carry out their roles. They work with the wider Treasury to drive forward the ministers’ policy agendas. The Offices work with the ministers, to seek their steers on policy decisions and provide private advice. They also organise other elements of the ministers’ workloads including their diary, correspondence, engagement with Parliament and supporting them in handling their relationships with the Treasury.

The Chancellor’s office is the key link between the Chancellor and the Department, providing him with full policy and administrative support. We are a 10-person team, and work closely with No10, other Ministerial offices, Special Advisers, press office and policy teams; the office is at the centre of all key Treasury decisions. While there can be exceptionally busy periods, we are a friendly and supportive office.

The Financial Secretary (FST) has a broad portfolio covering significant amounts of Treasury business. The Minister has strategic oversight for the entire tax system and leads on developing a package of tax announcements for the Budget as well as being responsible for ongoing reform, modernisation and simplification of the tax system. FST is also the Minister responsible for HMRC. FST is responsible for a significant amount of the Treasury’s parliamentary business including the Finance Bill and the National Insurance Contributions Bill. The postholder will join a friendly and encouraging team of 6 (Private Secretary, three Assistant Private Secretaries, Diary Manager and Registry Manager).

The Economic Secretary (EST) is the Treasury’s ‘City Minister’ covering a broad portfolio of financial services and stability policy, engaging with firms, regulators and consumers both domestically and internationally. The EST has oversight of the financial services and stability policy work that is undertaken in the department, which ranges from capital markets and listings to international FS agreements. EST also deputises the Chancellor on various key policy issues such as the economic outlook and the Union. He is one of the Government’s busiest Ministers, making this an exciting and engaging diary management position. The post holder will join a friendly and driven team of 5 (Private Secretary, three Assistant Private Secretaries and Diary Manager)

The Treasury Lords Minister’s office is a small friendly team of four, comprising a Private Secretary and two Assistant Private Secretaries. Together, we assist the Treasury Lords Minister in managing their parliamentary business and a broad policy portfolio. This includes economic security; financial sanctions; economic crime and illicit finance; green finance; trade in services; international climate finance; Russia / Ukraine strategy; overseas territories; women in finance; and environmental policy and tax.

Treasury’s Parliamentary Unit is a friendly team of six. We are part of the larger ministerial team, working closely with the Chancellor’s and other Private Offices. We are responsible for providing advice, co-ordinating and supporting the successful delivery of the Treasury’s parliamentary business. We support each other to develop our careers and improve our work/life balances.

About the Job

We are recruiting for five roles across the Ministerial and Communications Group. Additional roles may become available. These will all be stretching and exciting opportunities to work at the heart of government, driving forward ministerial priorities and engaging with high-profile issues. The MinComm Group offers a unique chance to work closely with Ministers, and better understand the role of Parliament and the media in policy making and presentation.

Role 1 is the Chancellor’s Registry Manager. This is a challenging and exciting role that sits in the heart of HM Treasury. You will be responsible for helping ensure the smooth operational running of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s office (the Registry), where support is delivered to a high and consistent standard. The role means being accountable for supporting HMT’s write round issuance and returns process, managing the Chancellor’s and Treasury Ministers’ correspondence, and collating the Chancellor’s briefing materials ahead of Cabinet-level meetings.

Key accountabilities for this role include:

1. Managing the Chancellor’s office email inbox and incoming correspondence;
2. Preparing the Chancellor’s box and meetings folder;
3. Commissioning meeting briefing, notably for Cabinet, National Security Council meetings and HMT Orals;
4. Running HMT’s responses to cross-government write-rounds, working in tandem with the other Ministerial offices;
5. Coordinating the office's response to Freedom of Information requests, ensuring they are responded to in a timely manner.

Applicants will need to be an adept user of Microsoft Outlook and Office, able to independently prioritise a busy workload to deliver to deadlines, and communicate effectively with key stakeholders across Ministerial private offices. The Chancellor’s Registry operates on a daily shift system, alternating between 09:00-17:00 and 11:00-19:00 Mondays to Fridays. Whilst there may be some flexibility in exceptional circumstances, in-person attendance in HM Treasury’s London office is required when on shift. Different hours may occasionally be required during busy periods, in line with HM Treasury’s flexible working policy.  

Roles 2, 3, and 4 are the Financial Secretary, the Economic Secretary’s, and the Treasury Lord’s Minister’s Diary Managers. As Diary Manager you will gain first-hand experience of core Government processes, including during high-profile fiscal events. You will enjoy a great deal of autonomy and benefit from opportunities to apply your judgment. You will contribute to an office ethos which focuses on well-being and development, at both a personal and team level.

Key accountabilities for this role include:

1. Leading all aspects of the minister’s diary including arranging meetings on behalf of the minister and ensuring they balance their ministerial, parliamentary, and personal priorities. Working with Treasury officials, private offices across government, MP’s offices, and external organisations;
2. Processing all incoming invitations (for meetings, speeches, receptions etc.) and advise the minister accordingly;
3. Co-ordinating and handling all logistical arrangements for meetings to ensure they run efficiently, arrange travel and take into account value for money considerations;
4. Collaborate closely with other diary managers to agree ministerial rotas for recess, sitting Fridays and weekend duty;
5. Taking ownership of record management in relation to the diary, including electronic filing, so that requests under the Freedom of Information Act can be met;
6. Supporting the private secretaries in the day-to-day running of the office, which could include arranging the weekend box, looking after the ministerial rooms and meeting and greeting visitors from reception.
7. Prepare the Minister’s daily briefing pack, coordinating input from Private Secretaries.
8. Contribute flexibly to the day-to-day running of the office, help build a positive, encouraging, and friendly working environment.

Role 5 is an Assistant Parliamentary Clerk position. You will work, as part of a team, to co-ordinate the parliamentary business of the Treasury and its supporting Government departments and agencies. The main responsibility is helping to deliver the Treasury’s legislative priorities and parliamentary business.

Key accountabilities for this role include:

1. Preparing documents and secondary legislation for presentation to Parliament, including liaison with officials, National Archives and the House authorities.
2. Monitoring the progress of Treasury issues in Parliament, keeping Treasury colleagues updated on the issues raised. This includes preparing a weekly forward look of Treasury business in Parliament and preparing the Chancellor’s cabinet briefing on Parliamentary business.
3. Allocating Lords oral questions to policy teams in the department to answer; clearing answers through ministers and special advisers.
4. Preparing Written Ministerial Statements for publication in Parliament to ensure Treasury announcements are given to Parliament on time and in the appropriate format.
5. Provide support to Treasury ministers and colleagues on other parliamentary matters, e.g. written parliamentary questions. Contributing to flexible and supportive team working whilst taking the opportunity to learn about parliamentary and policy work more comprehensively.

We are looking for great teammates, comfortable with operating collaboratively. These are exciting opportunities to work on very high-profile issues, supported by friendly and collaborative teams in which individuals are encouraged to develop and thrive. You will be given lots of support to help you develop the skills needed. Diversity is very important to us, and we welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

Please note: candidates will be asked to express their preference between Chancellor’s Office, Financial Secretary’s Office, Economic Secretary’s Office, Treasury Lord’s Minister’s Office, and the Parliamentary Unit roles, although no guarantees on placement can be made.

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.

14:00-14:30 on Monday 10 June.

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:

Role 1 (Chancellor’s Office) – Katie Millard (katie.millard@hmtreasury.gov.uk)

Role 2 (Financial Secretary’s Office) – Sam Crawley (sam.crawley@hmtreasury.gov.uk)

Role 3 (Economic Secretary’s Office) – Ed Kaye (eddie.kaye@hmtreasury.gov.uk)

Role 4 (Treasury Lord’s Minister’s Office) – Zain Hassan (zain.hassan@hmtreasury.gov.uk)

Role 5 (Parliamentary Unit) – Andrea Hastick (andrea.hastick@hmtreasury.gov.uk)

Person specification

We are looking for the below 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. Managing a Quality Service: Ability to take effective judgements which enable you to deliver an excellent, proactive service in a fast-paced environment.
2. Communicating and Influencing: Ability to communicate clearly and influence effectively, drawing on diverse perspectives to ensure high-quality outcomes.
3. Delivering at Pace: Ability to prioritise and adapt quickly to meet tight deadlines in a busy environment.

The lead criterion is: Managing a Quality Service.

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, then use the link below to join the call at the right time. 

Wednesday 5th June 2024 12:30 – 13:15  Join the meeting now

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £26,770, HM Treasury contributes £7,227 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: 20th June 2024

Shortlisting: From 21st June 2024 

Interviews: w/c 1st July 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. 

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.

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.