Details Reference number 356137 Salary £52,960 - £62,190 If the successful candidate is a current Civil Servant joining on level transfer, HM Treasury will honour their current substantive salary if higher. A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27% GBP Job grade Grade 7 Range E Contract type Permanent Business area HMT - Financial Services Type of role Policy Working pattern Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time Number of jobs available 1 Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location This post can be based in London (1 Horse Guards Road) or Darlington (Feethams House). About the job Job summary If youre interested in making a difference to peoples 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 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. Its central government, made more accessible to you About the Group The Financial Services Group advises the government on how to promote a stable and efficient financial services sector, to deliver excellent outcomes for consumers and business, enhance the UKs position as a global hub for financial services and support economic growth across the country. The financial services sector is important to the UK economy providing significant numbers of jobs and making a large contribution to the UKs economic output. It also provides essential services to individuals for example, helping them to purchase goods with ease, buy their first home, and plan for their retirement. During the COVID pandemic, it played a critical role in supporting individuals and businesses for example, in providing payment holidays for individuals and businesses affected by the pandemic and working with the government to deliver Bounce Back Loans. We ensure that financial services businesses such as banks, investment firms, financial advisors and insurers are well-regulated. Ensuring firms treat customers fairly, customers have access to a range of financial services as a result of competition in the market, and there are appropriate remedies in place when things go wrong. We work on a significant international agenda which includes promoting openness and trading links between the UK and countries all around the world, including through Free Trade Agreements and other international dialogues and negotiations. To do this we work closely with colleagues in offices overseas from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office and the Department for International Trade. Working with stakeholders is key in Financial Services for example, we work closely with the independent regulators to help them fulfil their roles, consult consumer groups on issues affecting them, and work with the sector on wider issues like the net-zero agenda About the Team Personal Finances and Funds The Personal Finances and Funds team (PFF) brings together the strategic oversight of the asset management, financial advice, consumer credit and debt advice sectors in the UK, with responsibility for the protection of consumers who use their products and services. The work is challenging, fast-paced and high profile, but it is also a friendly, supportive and inclusive team of around 20 people with consistently high staff engagement. The team consists of three units: The Consumer Credit Unit, which leads Government policy towards the £250 billion consumer credit market. The Unit has led on high profile policy over the last few years, including COVID-19 payment holidays, parts of the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, a No Interest Loan Scheme pilot, and the regulation of Buy-Now Pay-Later products. The Asset Management and High-Risk Investments Unit, which sets Government's strategy for the UKs asset management industry to ensure it supports a competitive and innovative sector, but also ensures that riskier investments are only offered appropriately and to the right consumers. The Financial Inclusion, Capability and Consumer Debt Unit which ensures that financial products and services are available and affordable to all, consumers are equipped to navigate them, and appropriately supported when they fall into debt. About the Job Are you looking for a high-profile policy role at the heart of government? We are looking to recruit a senior policy advisor to work on consumer credit policy. The role will oversee aspects of government policy relating to the UKs £200bn consumer credit market, which includes everyday financial products like personal loans, credit cards and Buy-Now Pay-Later. The role involves working with regulators in particular the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and a very wide range of interest groups to deliver priorities in this varied and interesting area of financial services policy, which has a direct impact on millions of UK consumers. The successful candidate will: Lead on work to consider what different types of consumer credit activity should be subject to FCA regulation, and work with lawyers to develop the legislation that delivers any policy decisions. This includes detailed work in the high-profile area of Buy-Now Pay-Later regulation. Consider the provision of responsible credit for all consumers, developing policy to overcome a number of market barriers that currently prevent many consumers from accessing small sums of credit at affordable rates. Develop the expertise to be able to credibly lead discussions within government on the UK consumer credit market, able to engage credibly with senior stakeholders and recognise new policy opportunities and risks. Lead a range D (HEO/SEO equivalent), ensuring that they have clear objectives and are supported in their development. In addition, the postholder will be expected to input to broader leadership across the team, with the head of unit (Range E2/G6) and other Range E (G7 equivalent), to help manage resource and work flexibly where priorities change. Engage clearly, both in writing and in person, with ministers and other senior colleagues on a range of issues relating to consumer credit. Form effective and collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, from small community lenders and the civil society organisations that seek to support them, to a range of trade bodies who represent the large and diverse set of firms operational in consumer credit, as well as key industry players and a range of colleagues at the Financial Conduct Authority who seek to regulate these firms. The role will require the postholders to work flexibly, supporting their unit to brief and support ministers in Parliamentary debates, providing advice on issues in their area of policy expertise as they arise, including drafting responses to ministerial correspondence and parliamentary questions. You dont need to be a policy professional or have any specific qualifications to apply to work as a Policy Advisor at HM Treasury. We are looking for people who have the right set of skills for the role, who demonstrate the values of our organisation, and who are motivated to come and work with us on a range of issues that are at the heart of how we spend money and deliver public services. Candidate Drop-In Session about the role 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. Wednesday 19th June 12:00 12:45: Joining link Meeting ID: 370 314 711 020 Passcode: keyGrb Dial in by phone United Kingdom, London Find a local number Phone conference ID: 444 748 543 If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact Rebecca Denham rebecca.denhamhmtreasury.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. Communicating and Influencing - Ability to develop excellent working relationships and effectively influence senior stakeholders. Making Effective Decisions - Ability to analyse and assess a range of information and evidence to make clear recommendations or decisions. Delivering at Pace - Experience of independently managing competing priorities, through collaboration with others where necessary, to ensure deadlines are met. If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criterion only. The lead criterion is Communicating and Influencing - Ability to develop excellent working relationships and effectively influence senior stakeholders. Candidate Application Guidance Support Session We will be running an overview of Success Profiles and the STAR approach including top tips for the application and interview process and an opportunity to ask general questions around our recruitment practices. Please note that this session is not role specific, so we will be unable to answer specific questions about roles we are advertising. If you would like to join us, please use the link below to join the call at the right time. 19th June 2024 12:30-13:15 Join the meeting now Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Making Effective Decisions Leadership 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 £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. 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) Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours) Generous parental and adoption leave package. A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 28% Onsite restaurant and coffee bar. The London office also offers a gym, showers and prayer room Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving Access to a retail discounts and cashback site A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help meet the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes A range of active staff networks, based around interests and diversity Flexible Working Arrangements HM Treasury views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they can enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including; part-time, compressed hours and job sharing. Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees the flexibility to adjust their working patterns throughout the week which is subject to operational needs and line management approval. At HM Treasury we have an incredibly broad remit; our work touches every citizen of the country. So, its important our employees come from the widest possible range of backgrounds, bringing us the widest possible range of perspectives and ways of thinking. We are committed to ensuring that all staff can realise their potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. HM Treasury operates an office based working approach across all Treasury sites - Darlington, London, and Norwich, and along with the rest of the Civil Service, has an expectation of a minimum of 60% attendance in the office, along with working remotely. This blended working approach allows you to work collaboratively, meet stakeholders face to face, support others and promotes a healthy work life balance (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyones circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. All our offices have been recently modernised and designed to collaborate and connect with colleagues as well as desk and quiet space to allow a range of ways to work. 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: 30th June 2024 Shortlisting: W/C 1st July 2024 Interviews: From 1st August 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. Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. Additionally, individuals appointed to the Treasury group will be subject to National Security Vetting. The level of security vetting required for this role is Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, applicants will need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. In exceptional circumstances, a lack of residency would not be a bar to security clearance however the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case by case basis once the advert closing date has passed. 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 HMTSecurityVettinghmtreasury.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 counter-terrorist 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