Senior Policy Advisor - Domestic Policy (Economic Growth)

Job summary

In these times of global economic uncertainty, public procurement has a crucial role to play in bolstering domestic competitiveness, making the economy stronger and more resilient, and providing a solid foundation of security for British businesses. As a cornerstone of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, public procurement must be designed to drive growth, and leverage the UK’s unique strengths and untapped potential.

At the heart of public service reform is the transformation of public procurement. With the UK’s annual £400 billion spend on goods, works, and services, procurement is not merely a function; it is a powerful lever for national renewal so people around the UK feel this government spend through investment in their skills and opportunities to access high quality jobs close to home.

Strengthen the UK’s economic resilience and supporting British businesses, by strategically leveraging our annual public procurement spend, is the way to protect our supply chains, open up new opportunities for local small businesses and social enterprises, create good local jobs, and deliver greater value for taxpayers.

We can do this by designing, developing and implementing innovative procurement policies to ensure that every buying decision contributes towards the government’s plan for national renewal.

Job description

Senior Policy Advisors play a crucial role in supporting the Grade 6 Team Leader in the development, implementation, and evaluation of procurement policy measures. This is a fast-paced environment and Senior Policy Advisors will be responsible for leading a mixed portfolio of policy priorities, taking the lead of all aspects of policy development and implementation using a proactive, collaborative approach.

Locations

The successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. When selecting your location listed in this job advert please be aware that this will be your contractual base location with a requirement to spend a minimum of 60% of your working time in this organisational workplace.

Your time spent on official duties at workplace locations other than your contractual office such as supplier, customer or partner locations required to perform your role is included in the 60% attendance.

This requirement will however take into consideration any reasonable adjustments agreed upon appointment for people with a disability, flexibilities agreed for those with specific caring responsibilities, or other similar temporary flexibilities.

Person specification

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of policy measures in line with the government’s Missions, Foundations and Plan for Change, specifically in one of the following clusters: Social & Missions, Environment & Technology, Economic Growth.
• Conduct thorough research and analysis to inform policy proposals, ensuring alignment with governmental priorities and legal requirements.
• Lead and contribute to stakeholder engagement activities, such as Trade Organisations, Crown Representatives, Strategic Suppliers, International Governments etc, to promote our activities and direction of travel and to seek feedback on policy design and new measures to ensure stakeholder buy-in.
• Lead on, and Support Team Leader to present policy ideas and proposals to Ministers as required.
• Prepare high quality strategic reports, briefing papers, and presentations that clearly outline policy recommendations and implications, using data-driven evidence to support proposals.
• Engage with contracting authorities across central government and the wider public sector, providing guidance and support to aid in the practical implementation of new procurement policies.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of implemented policies, collaborating with peers across the team and outside to identify areas for synergy, efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Horizon-scanning to maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in public procurement, and of relevant policy areas to provide insights to the team and make recommendations for adjustments as necessary.
• Take on line management responsibility and development of SEOs in the team, as required/determined by the G6.
• Lead on and support the Grade 6 Team Leader in co-chairing cross-departmental meetings where necessary, leading sub-groups to develop and deliver specific initiatives.
• Provide developmental support and mentorship to junior team members, fostering an environment of learning and professional growth within the team.

Technical skills

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

• Proven experience in policy analysis and development, with the ability to translate complex issues into actionable policy proposals.
• Strong understanding of public procurement regulations and commercial processes within the UK government.
• Experience across the commercial lifecycle.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, capable of articulating complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience collaborating across different departments and organisations, at a range of levels including Ministers/Perm Sec/DG level.
• Proven ability to work independently as well as part of a cohesive team, sometimes in an ambiguous environment, and contributing positively to group dynamics.

Benefits

As a valued employee of the Government Commercial Organisation (GCO), you will have access to all the benefits the centre has to offer; including flexible working, generous benefits, Career Coaches, Mentors, L&D, a Commercial College, active talent management and, most importantly, access to commercial projects that will far exceed the scale and complexity on offer elsewhere in the UK.

For existing Civil Servants: For full details of the impact on any move across the civil service on your existing terms and conditions, please read the candidate pack. Please note that any move across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to continue to claim childcare vouchers.

Kindly refer to the following link for the GCF Rewards and benefits page.

https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/gcf-benefits/

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 candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.Your application will be reviewed by a panel and should you be successful at sift we will invite you to attend a Virtual commercial Assessment and Development Centre (VADC). The panel will review results of the VADC and determine which candidates will go through to a subsequent final panel inte