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SalaryAre you looking for the opportunity to work on a wide array of exciting and high-profile issues, with the support of a small and friendly team? If so, we'd love to hear from you!
Personal Tax, Welfare and Pensions play a meaningful role in support of the Government's goals of fiscal sustainability, economic growth, and fairness. We look after high-profile tax areas, and coordinate spending controls for other Government departments. We are responsible for over GBP400bn in tax receipts and GBP300bn in welfare spending, impacting the lives of millions of citizens across the UK.
Our Pensions and Savings team (PST) is looking for two Policy Advisers to join us; one in the Defined Contribution (DC) pensions branch and the other in the Pensions projects branch. These roles both have significant and far reaching impact.
DC pensions branch
In the last year, the DC pensions branch has led on major reforms to the way we tax pension contributions, including raising the Annual Allowance and abolishing the Lifetime Allowance. We will continue to focus on improving outcomes for savers by changing the way that pension schemes invest, as well as working closely with DWP on Automatic Enrolment policy.
Key accountabilities will evolve over time, but are likely to include:
- Advising HM Treasury ministers on policy changes related to taxation of pension contributions, including pensions tax relief thresholds and Pensions tax relief administration. The postholder will advise ministers on policies to deliver a fair and affordable pensions tax system, and coordinate analysis that supports recommendations.
- Advising HM Treasury ministers on the future of automatic enrolment policy, taking into account DWP ambitions, cost of living issues for affected people and the fiscal and economic impacts.
- Advising HM Treasury ministers on issues to do with Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), including tax issues following early closure of some SIPPs.
- Presenting government policy on the taxation of pension contributions through drafting responses to queries received by HM Treasury, working closely with other policy teams.
- Working closely with colleagues across HM Treasury, and strengthening the policy partnership with HMRC by building strong personal relationships with HMRC colleagues, encompassing all stages of the policy process.
Pensions projects branch
The newly established pension projects branch will lead projects on emerging priorities across the private pensions policy space, meaning you will have the opportunity to work on a wide array of exciting and varied issues. Pension issues can arise in many areas, including labour markets, tax and spending, and financial services and markets. These policy projects have the potential to significantly shape pensions policy and affect millions of savers and investors.
Key responsibilities will vary depending on the project, but are likely to include:
- Advising HM Treasury Ministers on a range of private pensions issues, communicating clearly to enable Ministers to make decisions based on your work.
- Collecting and analysing evidence to make robust, evidence-based recommendations to Ministers that reflect the government's priorities and the broader fiscal and economic context.
- Building strong professional relationships with colleagues across HM Treasury and HMRC, to collaboratively advance policy work while navigating differing objectives.
- Engaging with collaborators to gain knowledge and expertise from others, while also communicating HM Treasury's objectives and work.
- Contributing to the selection, planning and timely delivery of strategically important projects which consider the political and fiscal context.
- Facilitating effective project governance to achieve consensus on project direction and supervise project progress.
About you
You do not need to be a policy professional or have any specific qualifications to succeed in either role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and previous knowledge of pensions or policy making is not necessary. We are looking for candidates who can collaborate effectively to deliver against shared objectives, analyse information to draw evidenced conclusions and position their work in a wider context. We're also looking for individuals who will bring enthusiasm and motivation to the roles, helping to build a positive team dynamic.
About us
HM Treasury is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, ways of working and thinking makes us a stronger organisation, better at developing policy that is reflective of the communities we serve. We embrace different views and experiences and value the fresh perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.
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 27%
- 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 (e.g. women in the Treasury, ethnic minority network, LGBT network, faith and belief network)
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, or speak to the recruitment team at
