Policy Adviser- Universal Credit

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.

We are part of the Darlington Economic Campus, a cross-government hub bringing people together to tackle key national issues while working closer to the communities we serve.

Job description

Serving as a Policy Adviser – Universal Credit, you will be central to developing and implementing policies that support more than 7 million households in Great Britain. This opportunity allows you to engage with high-profile government policy and service delivery, especially in addressing fraud and error reduction within the welfare system. Your contribution will be critical to maintaining the reliability of welfare funding and securing value for taxpayers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead creation of the fraud and error package for fiscal events: Design and improve measures intended to reduce benefit fraud and error. Collaborate with DWP and HMT colleagues to assess feasibility, fiscal impact, and cost-effectiveness. You will also provide clear advice to seniors and ministers on options and implications for the fraud and error forecast.
• You will take ownership of reviewing of DWP’s efficiency plans that target fraud and error prevention. This includes assessing proposed operational, digital, and policy changes, tracking performance against goals, and suggesting where HMT should challenge or approve to ensure balanced efficiencies.
• Examining cases and new spending proposals on fraud and error: Review DWP bids and business cases, provide advice on funding decisions, and assist with in-year spending control against agreed plans.
• Preparing accurate and succinct counsel on benefits fraud and error for Ministers and senior officials. The tasks involve developing lines to take, ministerial correspondence, and preparing briefing materials.
• Support the development of major welfare reforms by playing a central role in formulating and analysing welfare policy options. Contribute to the broader HMT strategy and assist in delivery across several teams.

Why Join Us?

At HM Treasury, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and coordinated environment where every team member can succeed. You will have the chance to work on important projects that support the economic well-being of millions of households. Join us and become part of a group that is committed to achieving excellence in public service.

Candidate Drop-In Session

The hiring manager will be running a candidate drop-in session for this role on Wednesday 29th July at 13:30 to 14:00 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 appropriate link below to join the call at the right time.

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/368765821600479?p=YC45nGeF5OuToA2odz

If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date, please contact Alison Robinson ([email removed]).

Visa sponsorship is not available for this role

Person specification

Application Stage

Application Form

Applications should consist of a CV including your employment history, and a 250-word statement demonstrating evidence of each of the below shortlisting criteria. Your CV and employment history won’t be scored. It’s used to give context to your application and support discussions at interview.

The panel will review applications and invite those that best demonstrate evidence of the shortlisting criteria below for interview. Please keep this in mind when writing your application.

Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted.

1. Making Effective Decisions: Ability to analyse a range of information, evaluate evidence and weigh up different options to make decisions
2. Delivering at Pace: Capability to work independently and proactively, while managing a very busy workload and delivering to short timescales
3. Working Together: Ability to build good relationships with colleagues from different teams and use these connections to deliver shared objectives

The lead criterion is: Making Effective Decisions

If we receive a high volume of applications, we’ll first sift using the lead criterion only. Those meeting the minimum score will then be assessed against all remaining criteria.

Interview Stage

If you are successful at the application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Strengths
• Behaviours:
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Working Together

Presentation

Prior to your interview, we will contact you about a presentation that the panel would like you to deliver as part of the assessment. Further details will be communicated to you nearer the time.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,820, HM Treasury contributes £10,087 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Generous Annual Leave - 25 days (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus public holidays and the King’s birthday.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme - Defined Benefit pension with employer contributions of 28.97%
• Parental Leave Packages - Including 6 months’ occupational pay for maternity/adoption, shared parental leave options.
• Flexible & Hybrid Working - Options include part-time, job-share, compressed hours, flexitime, and hybrid working (where business needs allow).
• Advance Schemes & Discounts - Rental deposit, cycle-to-work, SmartTech, season ticket loans, and access to HM Treasury’s benefits portal for a wide range of discount codes.

You can review HM Treasury’s full offer here.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our <