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

About the Group

Strategy, Planning and Budget

Strategy, Planning and Budget operates at the heart of the Treasury to develop the Department’s overall strategy and business plan, assess performance and risk, and help deliver its objectives with a large, flexible project team who work on ministerial priorities across the whole range of the department’s policy responsibilities. We also co-ordinate the Chancellor’s annual Budget, the Finance Bill and the Treasury’s tax strategy, as well as coordinate the Treasury’s responses to the COVID-19 Public Inquiry and provide support to ministers and officials who are Inquiry witnesses. SPB also promotes excellent policymaking across the department and houses the Darlington Leadership Team, which works to ensure the successful delivery of the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC).

About the Team

The Strategy, Planning and Projects Team (SPP) is a hard-working and energetic team, comprising around 50 roles focused on two major areas:

• ‘Strategic Projects’, a unit of around 40 policy advisers who move around the Treasury to work on its highest priority areas of Treasury work – and could be working on anything from economic growth to public spending or financial services. Recent projects we've supported include: supporting delivery of Budget and Autumn statements; international work, including Ukraine/Russia sanctions and refugee resettlement; as well as work on financial stability and regulation.
• ‘Strategy, Planning & Change’ (SPC), a smaller unit which supports the Treasury’s Executive Management Board (EMB) on departmental strategy, performance, and risk. It designed and developed the Treasury’s current vision and strategy, promotes greater ‘Diversity of Thought’ in policy-making across the Treasury, and plays a leading role in shaping how the department prioritises its resources optimally to address key issues.

These roles are within the ‘Strategic Projects’ unit. Team Members work on short projects (typically 3 to 4 months) covering any area of the Treasury’s work before moving to take on a different challenge. In each of these projects you might be responsible for developing new and innovative thinking to address emerging challenges, preparing advice to ministers on achieving the government’s top priorities, or helping to shape how the department responds to a complex issue. The roles offer amazing variety, and an unrivalled opportunity to explore the work of the Treasury – at the same time as ensuring that you will always be working on some of our top priorities.

We are passionate about helping our people thrive, by building an encouraging and friendly team. We champion diversity and many team members work flexible working patterns.

Both branches of the team are home to staff based in each of our Darlington and London offices and work together to provide a supportive and inclusive home in each location.

Please note, there are two job advertisements for these roles:

• If you want to be based in HM Treasury’s Darlington office – please apply for this role.
• If you want to be based in HM Treasury’s London office, or are equally happy to be based in either London or Darlington offices – please use this link to apply.

There are three positions available in total; all can be done from either a Darlington or London location.

Senior Strategy and Policy Advisor – project-focused (1 position available)

“Project-focused” roles will have the following responsibilities:

1. To scope, plan and deliver short-term pieces of work when ‘allocated’ to a team within the Treasury. Each project will involve building the relationships and contextual awareness necessary to embed quickly into a new team environment, and deliver results. Postholders can expect to rotate to a new project approximately four times a year.
2. As well as delivering specific outputs in each project role, postholders will be expected to take on management and leadership responsibilities, within their ‘host’ project teams.
3. Alongside this, postholders will line manage a small team of 3-4 staff, supporting their performance, development and wellbeing. The staff may be based in either London or Darlington.
4. Postholders will also be expected to contribute positively to the culture of the Strategy, Planning and Projects team, and Strategy, Planning and Budget Group, helping to make it an inclusive, friendly place to work.

The expectation is that postholders will spend approximately 90% of their time on responsibilities (i) and (ii), and approximately 10% of their time on responsibilities (iii) and (iv).

We are recruiting for two exciting and rewarding types of role within the Strategic Projects branch.

Senior Strategy and Policy Advisor – with team management responsibilities (2 positions available)

“Team management and Project” roles will have the following responsibilities:

1. To play a lead role in the management of the Strategy, Planning and Projects team. This will involve leading on two of the following four areas: how staff in the team are allocated to projects across the Treasury; the recruitment and retention of staff; how we build skills and capability of staff; and the growth of a strong team community.
2. As with the roles above – to scope, plan and deliver short-term pieces of work when ‘allocated’ to a team within the Treasury. Each project will involve building the relationships and contextual awareness necessary to embed quickly into a new team environment, and deliver results. Postholders can expect to rotate to a new project approximately four times a year.
3. To line manage a small team of 3-4 staff, supporting their performance, development and wellbeing. The staff may be based in either London or Darlington.
4. Postholders will also be expected to contribute positively to the culture of the Strategy, Planning and Projects team, and Strategy, Planning and Budget Group, helping to make it an inclusive, friendly place to work.

The expectation is that postholders will spend approximately 20% of their time on responsibility (i), approximately 70% of their time on responsibility (ii), and approximately 10% of their time on responsibilities (iii) and (iv).

Candidates can state in their application if they have a preference between these two types of position.

Candidate Drop-In Session 
 
We will be running an online 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. This will take place on 31 January, 13:00 to 13:45. If you would like to attend, please contact paige.edwards@hmtreasury.gov.uk for the Teams link.

Person specification

Required Skills, Experience and Behaviours

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.  

• Making effective decisions: The ability to adapt to a varied range of situations, creatively shaping and implementing solutions to complex policy and organisational problems [Behaviour]
• Changing and Improving: The ability to recognise where new ideas can help improve delivery, and motivation of others to continuously improve. [Behaviour]
• Delivering at pace: The ability to ensure delivery of high quality, timely outcomes. [Behaviour]

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.

26th January 12:00 to 12:45

Click here to join the meeting

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £64,160, HM Treasury contributes £17,323 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: 11th February

Shortlisting: w/c 12th February

Interviews: w/c 19th February

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 Security Check (SC) 

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 security 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.