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

The Group

The Public Services Group is at the heart of Treasury’s work to secure sustainable public finances and drive economic growth. We manage public spending of more than £250bn. across key public services and departments, including health, education, the criminal justice system, local government, housing, defence and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

We do this by working with other government departments, ministers, and other Treasury teams to ensure that spending plans support high quality public services, help the economy to grow and provide value for money for the taxpayer. 

Our roles offer a range of opportunities to work with senior leaders in other government departments and on the frontline of public services and ensure the effective delivery of public services.

The Group is committed to being an excellent place to work, with a relentless focus on good management, learning and development and continuous improvement in everything we do. 

The Team

The Housing, Planning and Cities team are responsible for managing the spending for DLUHC. This involves working with DLUHC on policies to accelerate housing building, make housing more affordable, and levelling up (reducing inequalities between different places in the UK). As well as DLUHC, we work closely with many other teams in HMT, no10 and other Departments. We are responsible for over £10 billion of public spending each year, including housing, homelessness, planning reform, local economic growth and levelling up opportunity across the UK.

We are a friendly and inclusive team of around 25, we welcome people from all backgrounds and support flexible working patterns.

You will lead on the setting and management of DLUHC’s c. £10bn budget.

A key focus of this role in the next 12 months will be preparing for and delivering the next Spending Review. This will include exposing the key trade-offs; as well as opportunities and risks to the department’s budgets; having a grip on the overall numbers; and developing an approach to negotiations.  

In addition, you will oversee DLUHC spending at fiscal events and advise the Chancellor and Chief Secretary on strategic in-year issues. You will work collaboratively to build networks across HMT as well as develop positive relationships with DLUHC to find common positions and broker agreements.

This is a stretching Range E/Grade 7 role, with a fascinating insight into a broad range of government priorities as well as core government and parliamentary spending functions.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Autonomously manage DLUHC’s £10bn p.a. housing, homelessness, local growth, levelling up and English devolution budgets. Develop a detailed understanding of the department’s aggregate financial position across resource, capital and financial transactions to provide high-quality advice on risks and trade-offs. This will involve scrutiny of numerical data but will also require excellent judgement to identify key issues and prioritise effectively.
2. Lead the Housing, Planning and Cities team through fiscal events, in particular the next Spending Review. DLUHC spending is varied, ranging from elections reform to regenerating high streets to supporting Ukrainian refugees – you will be responsible for setting direction on spending issues in the team, and maintaining control over DLUHC spending. You will be responsible for overseeing the team’s preparation and analysis, exposing choices to the Chancellor and Chief Secretary, scrutinising departmental bids, advising Ministers on the spending bids and options, and conducting official-level negotiations. Alongside E2 (Grade 6)-led policy branches, you will also be responsible for the strategic work to establish DLUHC and HMT priorities on housing, local growth and levelling up, putting discrete interventions in their wider context and curating an overall settlement which effectively balances government fiscal, social and economic objectives. You will also be the team’s interface into central Treasury teams, managing DLUHC’s role within the fiscal events and Spending Review processes.
3. Build and maintain excellent relationships with senior partners in DLUHC. This role is pivotal to the team’s relationship and engagement with DLUHC – you will need to effectively collaborate with and provide challenge to senior colleagues in the department and act as an effective negotiator, driving forward HMT objectives and seeking to reach sensible outcomes which deliver for the government and the public.
4. Strong and inclusive line management of one HEO Deputy Spending Principal. As part of the wider management team, promote an inclusive, friendly and collaborative culture, supporting team members outside of line management silos.

The post would suit someone who is comfortable working with numbers but is able to think strategically to manage a wide range of complex and often competing issues. Prior experience in, or knowledge of, public spending is desirable but not essential.

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 21 May, 1300.

If you would like to join us please contact the hiring manager Handan.Wieshmann@hmtreasury.gov.uk or the current post holder Oliver.Niddrie@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. Strong analytical and numerical skills, including an ability to synthesise quantitative and qualitative information to inform strategic policy choices (Making Effective Decisions)
2. An ability to form strong working relationships with senior partners that remain constructive even under stress (Working Together)
3. Excellent judgment and critical thinking skills, including an ability to prioritise effectively across a wide range of complex policy and technical areas (Seeing the Big Picture)

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.

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

• Strengths
• Behaviours:
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Working Together  
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Delivering at Pace 

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. 

Wednesday 15th May at 12:45pm: Click here to join the meeting

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: 29th May 2024

Shortlisting: From 30th May 2024

Interviews:  w/c 3rd / 10th 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. 

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.