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, Technology & Access to Finance (STAF)

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 supervise 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 HM Treasury’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.

The role sits within the Access to Finance branch which owns HMT’s relationship with the British Business Bank – the government-owned business development bank dedicated to making finance markets work better for smaller businesses. The branch also leads the cross-government agenda to ensure UK SMEs – especially our most innovative science and technology businesses – can access the finance they need to grow.

The branch has played a central role in developing policies to improve finance availability for high-growth innovative businesses (such as Future Fund: Breakthrough, the Life Sciences Investment Programme and the recent Long-term Investment for Technology and Science competition). It also helped to craft and deliver critical support programmes for businesses during the COVID pandemic.

About the job

This is an exciting role that blends responsibility for British Business Bank spending and governance with leadership of HMT’s equity finance policy.

It will provide the successful candidate the opportunity to hone and develop their policy skills in a multifaceted, encouraging and fun environment, delivering the government’s ambitions on innovation and growth.

In this role you will:

1. Develop and support British Business Bank spending control strategy. You will own spending control of the British Business Bank, monitoring and assessing its spending on a monthly basis to ensure it continues to improve value for money and supports economic growth. You will work closely with other Treasury colleagues, the Department for Business and Trade and the British Business Bank themselves to advise seniors and Ministers on British Business Bank programmes and budgets, including at fiscal events.

2. Support work on Innovation Finance within the branch, including:

• Leading the Treasury’s analysis and subsequent policy development for equity finance interventions, including oversight of British Business Bank’s range of equity finance programmes.
• Managing the cross-government workplan on ‘Financing Innovative Companies’ for the government’s Science and Technology Framework, working with departments and industry to ensure that priority growth sectors can get the equity financing they need to grow.
• Working closely with DSIT on the delivery of a new pilot fellowship scheme to accelerate the development of mid-career venture capital investors.
• Support the delivery of the Mansion House pensions investment package, including through the implementation of the Long-Term Investment in Technology and Science (LIFTS) competition.

3. Provide advice directly to senior colleagues, Special Advisers and Ministers. You will be working closely with ministerial private offices to plan high-profile public engagements, speeches and visits. You will also respond to official correspondence and help prepare Ministers and Seniors for key meetings. 

4. Build positive relationships with partners within and outside government, including policy and finance counterparts in Department for Business and Trade and the British Business Bank, and external partners such as the British Venture Capital Association, investors, founders and academia

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. 

Friday 5th January 2024 12:00 - 13:00 Click here to join the meeting

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 james.usmar@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. Experience of making evidence-based decisions around organisational strategy, working closely and effectively with stakeholders, and showing confidence in making difficult decisions on policy design and delivery (Making Effective Decisions).
2. The ability to work independently, planning and driving forward longer-term projects, while also delivering high quality urgent work (Delivering at Pace)
3. The ability to understand complex policy (including economic, financial or commercial issues) and provide clear, impactful advice (Communicating and Influencing)

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.

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. 

Tuesday 19th December 2023 12:00 – 12:45 Click here to join the meeting

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,710, HM Treasury contributes £8,561 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: Sunday 14th January 2024 

Shortlisting: w/c 15th January 2024

Interviews: w/c 22nd January 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.  

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.