Senior Policy Adviser (Strategy), Economic & Domestic Secretariat, Cabinet Office (G7)

The Economic and Domestic Secretariat (EDS) is a friendly, fast-paced area that works closely with colleagues across the wider Cabinet Secretariat and No10 to provide excellent support to the Prime Minister and Cabinet. EDS is responsible for cross-government coordination, collective agreement, policy advice, and legislation across economic and domestic policy.
The Strategy and Analysis team is small and agile. It plays a key role in supporting delivery of the priorities of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary. The team has a dual role in both supporting the Government's response to the most pressing cross-cutting issues of the day, as well as building up our forward-looking work, considering policy issues for the medium and long-term. Alongside our impactful, challenging work we are focused on making everyone’s time in the team as enjoyable, inclusive and developmental as possible.
Ongoing and recent work in the team has included:
+ overseeing cross-government preparations for the General Election;
+ co-ordinating cross-department work on the biggest system challenges facing the UK;
+ leading cross-government work on public sector pay and industrial disputes;
+ advising and supporting the implementation of Machinery of Government changes;
+ policy development work on levelling up, AI, smokefree generation and other areas;
+ supporting the Cabinet Secretary’s bi-annual stocktakes.
We actively encourage applications both from those within the Civil Service, and outside. We particularly encourage applications from those of an ethnic minority background and those with disabilities, who are currently under-represented in EDS., Portfolios across the team are flexible and fluid. All roles will involve:
+ Writing advice and papers to support senior decision-making;
+ Co-ordinating thinking across departmental boundaries to progress government priorities;
+ Exploring medium and long term trends and considering the implications for policymaking across government;
+ Maintaining a strong and trusted network across EDS, the Cabinet Office and across departmental boundaries to support delivery;
+ Line managing at least one member of staff.
As a member of EDS, you will be encouraged and supported to undertake personal learning and development as well as leading work on our corporate workstreams to make it a great place to work., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Delivering at Pace, + Communicating and Influencing
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Delivering at Pace
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the Statement of Suitability
You will also be asked to provide a CV setting out your career history.
Selection process
Successful candidates will be invited to an interview, which will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Strengths.
A short written exercise will be included as part of this - for which no preparation in advance is required, A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security 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
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

+ an innovative, strategic, policy thinker who is able to communicate complex information and data into clear and usable insights for Ministers and other decision makers;
+ comfortable working in a variety of structures, either leading high performing teams, (including stakeholders outside line management structures), working independently, or delivering as part of a team;
+ a positive self-starter who is comfortable working in a changing environment;
+ a resilient leader, able to think and act quickly and calmly under pressure during a crisis, and to look out for the wellbeing of your team.
The postholder will also be expected to conduct regular face-to-face meetings in London.
Criteria
Essential skills and experience:
It is important in your application and interview that you provide evidence and examples of proven experience in each of the following:
+ Communication skills. Highly developed written communication, networking and negotiation skills, with a proven track record in winning and retaining trust with officials at all levels, as well as with political and ministerial colleagues
+ Building and managing relationships and partnerships. Experience in effective relationship building, with proven ability to engage persuasively and confidently, influencing effectively at all levels.
+ Flexibility and resilience. Experience of working in environments where there are competing priorities, and a fast-changing situation.
+ Using information, data and evidence to make decisions and influence. Excellent policy skills, including the ability to assimilate a wide range of information quickly - including by drawing on the bigger picture (e.g. economic, political and social context, and how that relates to policy making) - with excellent drafting skills for ministerial advice and briefing.

Alongside your salary of £61,005, Cabinet Office contributes £17,673 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role.
+ An environment with flexible working options.
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
+ A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
+ A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.