Job summary
About HM Treasury
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, 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. It�s central government, made more accessible to you!�
Job description
About the Group�
Financial Services 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 UK�s 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 UK�s 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
The Financial Services Strategy (FSS) team is a diverse, collaborative and inclusive team. It sits in the centre of the Financial Services Group and is responsible for ensuring a coordinated approach to the department's overarching financial services strategy.
We provide a central hub to develop and drive overarching strategy and co-ordination on a range of sector wide initiatives. This includes leading the group's input into key events in the financial services and economic calendar such as Mansion House and Budget. We are also responsible for the group�s governance structures and programme management processes to monitor the delivery of financial services priorities.
We have responsibility for the Treasury�s regulatory strategy for financial services. This includes the relationship and key accountability mechanisms between HMT and the FS regulators, and cross-cutting compensation issues in the financial services sector.
The team works very closely with Treasury Ministers and senior leaders. Our work is fast-paced and wide-ranging, setting strategic direction and supporting the implementation of the government�s objectives across the financial services sector.
About the Job
This role sits within the redress branch, which is responsible for leading the government�s relationship with the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and the Office of the Financial Services Regulators Complaints Commissioner. The branch also leads cross-cutting matters related to financial services redress.
This is an exciting role that will see the successful candidate work across a varied and politically important set of issues, to contribute to HMT�s strategic approach to the regulation of financial services. The role will have a particular focus on the redress framework, which provides alternate routes for firms and consumers to resolve complaints, giving individuals the confidence to participate in financial services, which plays a central role in the UK economy.�
Key accountabilities include:
1. Leading on the policy development and strategy for specific elements of the financial services redress framework. �This will involve advising ministers and senior civil servants on key developments and risks across the post holder�s policy areas, including both written and verbal briefings.
2. Leading the day-to-day elements of the sponsor relationship with the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Office of the Complaints Commissioner. This includes reviewing annual reports and laying them in Parliament, briefing seniors for strategic meetings, and supporting Ministers with Parliamentary Questions and correspondence.
3. Developing expertise on the financial services redress framework, including the role and operation of the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner. You will build in-depth understanding of key policy areas and use this to draft compelling, clear written advice to Ministers and senior management.
4. Building strong relationships with a range of stakeholders, including within the Financial Services Strategy team and the wider Treasury as well as external partners, to ensure a collaborative and informed approach to policy making and work towards achieving HM Treasury�s strategic objectives.
5. Playing an active role in the Financial Services Strategy Team by getting involved in wider corporate work to contribute to making make HM Treasury a great place to work. We�re a flexible team and respond to the needs of Ministers and senior officials, so you should be comfortable in an environment where priorities may change.
You don�t need to be a policy professional or have any specific qualifications to apply to work as a Policy Adviser 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�
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The hiring manager 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 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.�
Person specification
We are looking for the following 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. �
6. Ability to analyse and use relevant information from internal and external sources, to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications, and risks of decisions (Making Effective Decisions).
7. Capability to work independently and proactively, managing a full workload and meeting tight deadlines. (Delivering at Pace).
8. Demonstrate how you actively collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to achieve progress on shared objectives, maintaining an inclusive environment where options and challenges are taken into account. (Working Together).
The lead criterion is: Making Effective Decisions.
If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criterion only.
Candidate 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.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
9. Making Effective Decisions
10. Delivering at Pace
11. Working Together
12. Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
13. Making Effective Decisions
14. Delivering at Pace
15. Working Together
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �41,630, HM Treasury contributes �12,060 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
16. 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) �
17. Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours) �
18. Generous parental and adoption leave package.�
19. A which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 28% �
20. Onsite restaurant and coffee bar. The London office also offers a gym, showers and prayer room �
21. Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving �
22. Access to a retail discounts and cashback site �
23. A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help meet the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes �
24. 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, it�s 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 everyone�s 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.
The office working expectation is linked to the location of the role. If you apply to a post in a single location, then you will not be able to meet this expectation at any of our other sites or move your role to another location.�