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.  

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

Public Spending Group

The Public Spending Group is a high-profile and rewarding place to work. We help the Chancellor decide what to spend £1.2trillion a year on and ensure government delivers value for money for the taxpayer. We are responsible for reporting to Parliament and the public on how taxpayers’ money is spent. We drive forward improved outcomes and efficiency in public services and make sure value for money is at the centre of decision-making through better evaluation, data and analysis. 

We advise on overall government policy on public sector pay and pensions, the biggest single driver of public spending. We collaborate with and directly support departments to deliver the Government Finance Function strategy, building finance, debt and risk capability across government and developing the management information, tools and frameworks to better understand and ensure value for money. 

General Expenditure Policy (GEP)

GEP sits at the heart of HM Treasury's Public Spending Group! We are a friendly and inclusive team, responsible for reporting to the Chancellor and Chief Secretary on spending control, covering around £1,200bn of public expenditure. We work closely with Strategy Planning and Budget Group, the Fiscal Strategy Group, spending teams and No. 10 to manage risks and ensure Ministers have advice on future public spending strategy and on options for funding new priorities, both at fiscal events and as they arise throughout the year.

We also work with other government departments to monitor the real-world impact of spending, to ensure that outcomes for citizens are placed at the core of decision making. The team is also the custodian of the Green Book and Major Project appraisal.

This is a stretching and exciting role within the Green Book and Major Projects (GBMP) Unit – the central team in HM Treasury responsible for the Green Book and the Treasury approvals framework. We work across Whitehall and beyond to build capability in investment appraisal and support better decision-making in government through training and engagement at all levels. We also support spending teams in their scrutiny of major projects.

You will enjoy communicating clearly and concisely to a range of audiences; building constructive and collaborative relationships across different organisations; and proactively driving forward changes to improve existing processes.

About the job

You will:

1. Support work to continuously enhance HM Treasury’s assurance and scrutiny of government projects. The unit maintains the central guidance relating to the Treasury Approval Process for projects and programmes. The role-holder will support work to update this guidance as necessary to ensure this remains fit for purpose. They will support spending teams to scrutinise spending proposals and undertake approvals appropriately and will help develop new tools and templates for practitioners.
2. Provide support on the assessment of business cases, to improve decision-making across government, working closely with HMT Spending Teams. This involves acting as a ‘centre of expertise’ to support spending teams in scrutinising spending proposals and undertaking approvals. It also involves tracking the progress of major projects as they participate in the Treasury Approval Process and synthesising findings in simplified reports / dashboards for senior stakeholders, to ensure we maintain an overall view of project and programme approvals across HMT and are providing high quality scrutiny as a department.
3. Support the application of Green Book guidance across the public sector. This involves leading, coordinating and delivering a programme of events on the Green Book and five case model to practitioners across central and local government and the public sector, to build proficiency in investment appraisal and improve decision making. The postholder will lead and edit a monthly newsletter, which champions the Green Book and is now circulated to more than 2,000 people both inside and outside government.
4. Help improve the governance and accountability of major projects. This includes working closely with the IPA to champion initiatives to improve the transparency of spending decisions, such as through the publication of business cases, and work with departments to support the streamlining of assurance and approval processes across Whitehall.
5. Act as a GEP account manager. This means working with the relevant HM Treasury spending teams responsible for a specific department. You will need to ensure GEP’s position is fully represented in advice to ministers on major departmental spending decisions, including that in-year spending risks are handled effectively and that recommendations represent value for money.

In GEP, we cover a wide range of areas, including spending strategy, analysis, in-year spending control, Green Book and major projects, public value and performance budgeting. Over time, responsibilities in the role may expand to cover other priorities, and candidates are expected to be amenable to taking on new responsibilities, subject to overall capacity constraints.

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. 

Tuesday 19th March 1pm – 1:45

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 Demetrius Michael ( Demetrius.michael@hmtreasury.gov.uk)

Person specification

Required Behaviours, Experience and Technical Skills: 

1. Working Together:Ability to establish effective relationships with people who have different perspectives, including those inside and outside the Civil Service
2. Communicating and Influencing: Ability to explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand  
3. Making Effective Decisions: Ability to analyse a range of information and evaluate evidence to make decisions  

The lead criterion is: Working Together

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. 

Benefits

• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King's birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant)  
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)  
• Generous parental and adoption leave package. 
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%  
• Onsite restaurant and coffee bar. The London office also offers a gym, showers and prayer room  
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving  
• Access to a retail discounts and cashback site  
• A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help meet the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes  
• A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity (e.g. women in the Treasury, ethnic minority network, LGBT* network, faith and belief network) 

Flexible Working Arrangements

HM Treasury views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they can enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including; part-time, compressed hours and job sharing. Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees the flexibility to adjust their working patterns throughout the week which is subject to operational needs and line management approval.  

At HM Treasury we have an incredibly broad remit; our work touches every citizen of the country. So, it’s important our employees come from the widest possible range of backgrounds, bringing us the widest possible range of perspectives and ways of thinking. We are committed to ensuring that all staff can realize their potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. 

HM Treasury operates an office based working approach across all Treasury sites - Darlington, London, and Norwich, and along with the rest of the Civil Service, has an expectation of a minimum of 60% attendance in the office, along with working remotely. This blended working approach allows you to work collaboratively, meet stakeholders face to face, support others and promotes a healthy work life balance (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. All our offices have been recently modernised and designed to collaborate and connect with colleagues as well as desk and quiet space to allow a range of ways to work.

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: Monday 1st April 2024

Shortlisting: w/c 1st April 2024

Interviews: w/c 8th 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) / Security Check (SC) / 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 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.