Policy Adviser - Triple Lock, State Pension Age, and Pensioner Benefits

Salary: £36,130 - £44,074

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: This post is available on a full-time, part-time or job-share basis, and flexible working hours can be accommodated.

Location: London / Darlington

About the Team

The Pensions and Savings Team is one of five teams in PTWP. We consist of c.15 policy professionals that are responsible for policy that supports people to build savings and pensions throughout their working life and for the State Pensions and connected benefits paid to people once they retire. The team is responsible for significant annual tax reliefs (totalling over £70bn) and public spending (exceeding £150bn). To deliver our policies, we interact directly with other teams within HM Treasury and with other departments, particularly DWP and HMRC. These are exciting policies that impact everyone across the UK. The size and influence of these policies mean that they are always of interest to ministers.

We are a small and friendly team. We play an active role in making sure that PTWP has an inclusive, positive working environment. We are committed to ensuring a good work-life balance and currently have people with a variety of working patterns.

About the Job

Some of the key responsibilities of this role 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 short and medium-term reform options that support their policy goals. Working alongside other HMT teams to ensure policies meet various 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 work closely with colleagues in DWP to develop detailed policy proposals, offering your own ideas and helping shape theirs, and ensuring that changes can be implemented on time and to budget. 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 develop a well-rounded pensions strategy. In addition to the State Pension, the Government forgoes over £70bn a year in tax revenue to help people develop their own pension. Alongside private pension and other welfare spending colleagues, you will ensure that ministers receive rounded advice.

It's an exciting time to join! This is a higher profile policy area with implications for every person living in the UK. We are looking for someone to take on these cross-cutting and dynamic roles which provide opportunities to gain exposure to policy issues across HM Treasury and develop core policymaking skills. 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.

About You

You can demonstrate an ability to communicate sophisticated information clearly and with purpose to influence the work of others. You can also utilise relevant, credible information from both quantitative and qualitative sources to support decisions, and are able to take responsibility for delivering timely, quality results with focus and drive, even when under pressure. Our ideal candidate will be able to collaborate effectively to deliver against shared objectives, and to analyse information to draw evidenced conclusions and position their work in a wider context. We're also seeking an individual who will bring enthusiasm and motivation to the role, helping to build a positive team dynamic.

Some of the Benefits our people love!

• 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). Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)
• Generous parental and adoption leave packages
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 28.97%
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances
• A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity

For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please tell us about this in your online application form.