About the job

Job summary

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

The Public Spending Group is a high-profile and rewarding place to work.  We help the Chancellor decide what to spend £1.2 trillion 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. 

About the team

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. 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.

About the Jobs

Now is an exciting moment to join General Expenditure Policy (GEP)! Responsible public spending is central to all the Prime Minister’s top five priorities, and the government faces big choices as it balances addressing inflation, growing the economy, and funding sustainable public services. With an election and Spending Review (SR) on the horizon, GEP’s advice will shape the biggest decisions affecting the country in the months and years ahead.

Role 1: Senior Policy Adviser – Spending Strategy

This is a rare opportunity to support the development and delivery of the Spending Review, and the government's wider strategy for public spending. You would be responsible for running Spending Reviews and other prioritisation exercises, explaining the approach to Whitehall and the public and advising ministers on that process, as well as wider spending priorities and trade-offs. 

Key accountabilities for the role include:

1. Planning and delivering the next Spending Review, designing and running processes that can drive reform and allocate spending fairly under tight timescales and a constrained fiscal climate. The next Spending Review will need to take place in time to set budgets for 2025-26.
2. Advising the Chief Secretary, Chancellor and Prime Minister on the approach to the SR, working with the rest of GEP and Treasury spending teams to bring together fiscal, policy and process considerations.
3. Supporting the E2 (G6) on all aspects of the operational delivery of the Spending Review. This includes: acting as editor of the SR document – taking overall responsibility for producing the document and ensuring it accurately reflects the CX’s decisions and narrative for the event; coordinating the SR briefing process; and, designing the SR templates and guidance.
4. Developing and implementing other exercises to prioritise spending, including progressing the Chief Secretary-led programme to deliver a step-change in public sector productivity.
5. Line managing up to two Range D (HEO/SEO) Policy Advisors. Supporting the E2 (G6) in setting direction for, and prioritising the wellbeing of the wider unit, ensuring clear roles and responsibilities while retaining flexibility to respond to events.
6. Acting as a GEP account manager, working with the relevant HMT spending team responsible for the spending control of a department. You will ensure GEP’s position is represented in advice to ministers on major departmental spending decisions. You should be committed to engaging openly with all teams in HM Treasury and beyond.

A background in or understanding of public spending is desirable, but not essential, for the role.

Role 2: Senior Policy Adviser – Capital Spending Strategy

This is a central and fast-paced role in GEP’s Capital Unit. You will be at the heart of fiscal events and the Spending Review where spending choices are critical to the government’s macroeconomic and fiscal strategy, advising ministers on the impact of decisions on the country’s infrastructure.

You will lead the branch in the Capital Unit responsible for appraising multi-year capital budgets across government at the Spending Review (over £115bn per year) from economic and social infrastructure to R&D. You will shape the spending strategy across key ministerial priorities e.g. energy security and net zero, Defence, hospitals, and schools.

Key accountabilities for the role include: 

1. Leading HM Treasury’s capital strategy for fiscal events and the spending review. Work across GEP and HMT spending teams inform the capital strategy, shaping how the capital envelope is allocated across the government’s priorities. This includes how we appraise different types of capital investment and how we ensure investment is delivered. This is often produced at pace given the close working with ministers and No.10. 
2. Leading key GEP relationships across HM Treasury, Whitehall and beyond. Liaise with stakeholders across HM Treasury, Whitehall (e.g. Infrastructure and Projects Authority) and beyond (e.g. think tanks) to inform the government’s capital strategy.
3. Managing one Range D (HEO). Set direction and support their development. It is important that you are committed to working in a team that supports diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing.
4. Supporting the leadership of the Capital Unit and wider GEP team. Help to cultivate a strong, collaborative culture, and support planning and resourcing decisions, while working in line with HMT and team values.
5. Acting as a GEP account manager. Work with the relevant HMT spending team responsible for the spending control of a department. You will ensure GEP’s position is represented in advice to ministers on major departmental spending decisions. You should be committed to engaging openly with all teams in HM Treasury and beyond.

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. 

1st May 2024 12:00hrs – 12:30hrs Click here to join the link

3rd May 2024  12:00hrs – 12:30hrs Click here to join the link

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 Ella Baggaley-Simpson (Role 1) or Alex Prior (Role 2) ella.baggaley-simpson@hmtreasury.gov.uk / alex.prior@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Person specification

We are looking for the following skills, behaviours and experience 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. Strategic awareness and sound judgement, developing and adjusting work plans based on an understanding of the wider context and driving objectives. (Seeing the Big Picture)
2. Ability to build strong relationships and work collaboratively in situations where colleagues may have a different balance of interests to your own. (Working Together)
3. A proven track record of being able to explain and influence, delivering difficult messages and bringing others along with you. (Communicating and Influencing)

The lead criterion is: Seeing the Big Picture

At interview stage, you will be assessed on the below criteria:

• Strengths
• Behaviours
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Working Together
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace

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, Strengths and Experience.

Recruitment Timeline 

Closing date: 7th May 2024

Shortlisting: From 8th May 2024

Interviews: From 16th May 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 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.