Senior Policy Adviser - Spending Strategy

Are you looking for an exciting new opportunity to support the development and delivery of the Spending Review, and the government's wider strategy for public spending? If so, we'd love to hear from you!

About the Team

We are looking to recruit a Senior Policy Adviser which sits within the Public Spending Group of the General Expenditure Policy (GEP) Team. 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.  

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

In Role 1: Senior Policy Adviser – Spending Strategy, you will:

1. Plan and deliver the next Spending Review
2. Advise 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. Support the E2 (G6) on all aspects of the operational delivery of the Spending Review.
4. Develop and implement other exercises to prioritise spending,
5. Line manage up to two Range D (HEO/SEO) Policy Advisers and support the E2 (G6) in setting direction for, and prioritising the wellbeing of the wider unit,
6. Act as a GEP account manager, working with the relevant HMT spending team responsible for the spending control of a department.

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.

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. 

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

In Role 2: Senior Policy Adviser – Capital Spending Strategy, you will:

1.      Lead HM Treasury’s capital strategy for fiscal events and the spending review.

2.      Lead key GEP relationships across HM Treasury, Whitehall and beyond.

3.      Manage a Range D (HEO) and set direction and support their development.

4.      Support the leadership of the Capital Unit and wider GEP team.

5.      Act as a GEP account manager.

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.

About You

The successful candidate will have strategic awareness and sound judgement, developing and adjusting work plans based on an understanding of the wider context and driving objectives. You will have the ability to build strong relationships and work collaboratively in situations where colleagues may have a different balance of interests to your own. You’ll have a proven track record of being able to explain and influence, delivering difficult messages and bringing others along with you.

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 a stronger organisation, better at developing policy that is reflective of the communities we serve. We embrace different views and experiences and value the fresh 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, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.

Some of the Benefits our people love!

·      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). Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month

·      Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)

·      Generous parental and adoption leave packages

·      Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 27%

·      Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances

·      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)

For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please tell us about this in your online application form, or speak to the recruitment team.