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 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, 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 oversee 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 HMT’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. 

This role sits within the Digital Technology Unit, which is responsible for HMT’s strategy for the digital technology sector and leads on exciting areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Unit works collaboratively with departments such as DSIT and DBT to develop policy that will support the growth of the UK’s AI sector, from investing in computing power, to attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the UK’s AI infrastructure. The Unit also leads HMT’s work on digital regulation including the Online Safety Act, and the UK approach to AI regulation. 

It is an exciting time to join the team to work on a range of high-profile topics, ahead of the next Spending Review. Maximising the growth and productivity benefits of AI and digital tech are key priorities of the Chancellor and the Prime Minister. The Unit therefore works on some of the most topical policy questions and you should expect to receive lots of senior exposure and be stretched. The Unit also leads on HMT’s engagement with the tech sector, which involves supporting Ministerial meetings, visits and trips. 

As a team, we work very flexibly, sharing-out and redistributing work to manage the workload and promote a healthy work-life balance; you should be happy working collaboratively with a tight-knit team, who can quickly adjust to new priorities. 

About the Job

This is an exciting and fast paced role that is central to how HMG responds to the opportunities and risks posed by AI, alongside how we support the growth of the tech sector. 

A key priority for Ministers is boosting UK growth and productivity and increasing business investment. Working with other members of the Unit, you will be responsible for developing the strategy for how the UK’s tech sector and strengths in AI can contribute to these objectives. This will involve working with a range of stakeholders and quantitative/qualitative evidence to develop policy options and provide clear, concise, and persuasive advice to Ministers. 

You will also need to build strong working relationships with other members of STAF, wider HMT colleagues, DSIT and DBT, to influence the development of policies (e.g. skills, access to finance, R&D investment) that will support the tech sector. Supported by an SEO, you will focus on digital regulation, bringing together teams across HMT to influence the ongoing development and implementation of AI regulation, and working with DSIT and HO on how we balance investment priorities while ensuring the safety and security of emerging technologies. 

As part of work on the Unit’s strategy, you will play a key role shaping the Unit’s approach to Spending Review, including assessing the value-for-money and affordability of DSIT spending bids. 

As part of the focus on increasing business investment, Ministers and Senior Officials are keen to regularly engage with the tech sector, including holding set-piece events like conferences. You will need to work closely with teams across HMT to ensure we use these opportunities to effectively communicate HMG’s offer and the UK’s strengths in tech. 

We’re looking for someone who is excited by this policy area, and who is willing to get stuck-in to drive forward workstreams that will meet Ministerial priorities for growth and productivity. 

Knowledge of spending control and experience of working with comms and events teams to organise visits, conferences and other events would be desirable. Knowledge and experience of working on science and innovation or tech policy, while not essential, would be helpful.

Key accountabilities of the role are:

1. Lead Treasury strategy for the digital economy - Developing new policies to bolster UK tech leadership while managing risks, and ensuring cross-cutting policies (on areas such as skills, R&D, and access to finance) respond to the needs of the digital economy.
2. Strategic Oversight on Digital Regulation. You will provide oversight to the SEOs input on digital regulation of this work, ensure it supports the wider tech sector strategy, and influence how HMG balances priorities for investment with the safety and security of emerging technologies.
3. Lead on Fiscal Events and Tech Spending: Building on the tech sector strategy and linking to the wider work of EGU you will need to work with DSIT Strategy and Finance teams on priorities for the Spending Review, working with STAF spending colleagues to assess the value for money and affordability of different proposals, and support SEO and HEO to review business cases and advise Ministers on proposals in their remits.
4. Lead HM Treasury’s relationship with the tech sector - Engaging with a wide range of stakeholders inside and outside government, including developing plans for strategic engagement with the sector to further government objectives as well as building and maintaining strong relationships in government, including across the Treasury, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Cabinet Office and No.10 Policy Unit.
5. Management and Leadership: This role includes direct management of one SEO and task management of a HEO and apprentice. You will also need to support the development and progression of team members and contribute to a vibrant team culture by participating in one of the STAF corporate workstreams.

Candidate Drop-In Session – Microsoft Teams 
 
The hiring manager 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 ask any questions you may have. If you would like to join us, then use the link below to join the call at the right time.  

Wednesday 29th May at 11:00: Join the meeting now

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 Deborah Hardoon at deborah.hardoon@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. Seeing the Big Picture: An ability to understand how specific issues fit into the broader economic and policy context and competing priorities and interests to develop coherent policy and spending positions.
2. Making Effective Decisions: An ability to work on complex issues, using strong analytical, numerical and qualitative reasoning skills, and collaboration with others, to assess a range of different factors, and applying sound judgment to reach a conclusion
3. Delivering at Pace: An ability to work independently, planning and driving forward longer-term projects, while also delivering high quality urgent work
4. Communicating and Influencing: An ability to communicate clearly in written work and verbally, influencing and persuading stakeholders to advance your objectives 

The lead criterion is Seeing the Big Picture 

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

Candidate Guidance Support Session – Microsoft Teams
 
We will be running an overview of Success Profiles and the STAR approach including top tips for the application and interview process and an opportunity to ask general questions around our recruitment practices. Please note that this session is not role specific, so we will be unable to answer specific questions about roles we are advertising. If you would like to join us, please use the link below to join the call at the right time.  

Wednesday 5th June at 12:30: Join the meeting now

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £52,960, HM Treasury contributes £14,828 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: 9 June 2024

Shortlisting: w/c 10 June 2024

Interviews:  w/c 24 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.

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.