Policy Adviser - State Pension and Pensioner Benefits

Job summary

Working at HM Treasury puts you at the heart of government, making a difference to the UK economy and ultimately to people’s lives right across the UK.

Jobs at the Treasury are fast-paced, fun and can offer unparalleled perspective – not least the opportunity to advise Ministers on the decisions which directly determine the UK’s prosperity. Deep in our DNA is a commitment to empowering our people: maximising individual and collective impact, with interesting work no matter your role or seniority.

Day-to-day you could be supporting Ministers to decide the right level of a specific tax or line of government spending; helping maintain the stability of financial markets; analysing the long-term trends impacting the future of the economy; or enabling this work as part of our vital corporate functions.

We are a high-performing department and proud to have outstanding staff from a wide range of backgrounds. We are also a friendly, inclusive and sociable workplace that prides itself on fostering great team spirit. Our two largest offices are 1 Horse Guards Road in London, opposite St James’ Park, and the Darlington Economic Campus, which also contains eight other departments. We work seamlessly across all our sites, including Norwich, Birmingham and Leeds, as one Treasury.

We are both a 1,000-year-old institution and dynamic, forward-looking economics and finance ministry, with a strong direction set by our organisational strategy, the Future Treasury Vision. The 21st century offers huge opportunities and poses new challenges for the UK. Working at the Treasury is your chance to help the country chart the right course.

Job description

We are looking for a Policy Advisor to join us in the State Pensions and Pensioner Benefits branch. It's an exciting time to join! This is a high profile policy area with implications for everyone across the UK.

In this role you will be responsible for a spending portfolio that is projected to grow rapidly over the coming years and currently valued at more than <£150bn per annum. Our recent work has included: the launch of the independent State Pension age review, correcting historic State Pension underpayments, advising ministers on DWP’s annual uprating review, and reforming Winter Fuel Payments.

This is a cross-cutting and dynamic role that will give the postholder exposure to policy issues across HM Treasury and develop their core policymaking skills.

Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic reform of the State Pension system - reform is a long-term challenge, particularly in the context of an ageing population. We craft ways to control spending to improve the sustainability of the public finances whilst being fair to current and future pensioners and taxpayers.

• Advising ministers ahead of, and between, fiscal events on reform options that support their policy goals. Working alongside other HMT teams to ensure policies meet a range of government objectives is vital.

• Driving value for money – you will get good exposure to “core” public spending, including Treasury approval processes, seeking efficiency savings and working out how to best to support DWP in their delivery.

• Working closely with DWP and others – you will represent the Treasury in developing detailed policy proposals, offering your own ideas and helping shape the ideas of others. You will also develop a network of partners across Treasury, reflecting the broad reach of the policy area and its long-term fiscal implications.

• Working with the wider pensions team to build a well-rounded pensions strategy – in addition to the State Pension, the Government forgoes over £70bn a year in tax revenue to support people to build their own pension. Alongside private pension and other welfare spending colleagues, you will ensure that ministers receive rounded advice.

You do not need to be a policy professional or have any specific qualifications to succeed in the role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds. Previous knowledge of pensions or policy making is not necessary, but we are looking for a candidate who will bring enthusiasm and motivation to the role.

Candidate Drop-In Session

The hiring manager will be running a candidate drop-in session to give you greater insight about the role and HM Treasury, and ask any questions you might have. If you would like to join us, use the link below to join the call at the right time.

Wednesday 2nd September 16:30

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/372567989789437?p=bMNzH8KOORbwIEMiEV

If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date, please contact Henry Lowe [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. Communicating and Influencing: Ability to communicate complex information clearly and with purpose to influence the work of others.
2. Making Effective Decisions: Ability to use relevant, credible information from both quantitative and qualitative sources to support decisions.
3. Delivering at Pace: Ability to take responsibility for delivering timely, quality results, with focus and drive, even under pressure.

The lead criterion is: Communicating and Influencing

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:

• Behaviours:
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Seeing the Big Picture

Interview Task / Presentation

Prior to your interview, we will contact you about a task / 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:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,130, HM Treasury contributes £10,466 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 (risin