Senior Policy Adviser – Subsidy Control

We are looking for two experienced Policy Advisers to shape and maintain the Subsidy Control regime – an important part of the UK’s post-Brexit regulatory framework.

A subsidy is where a public authority provides support to a business, usually to promote a certain positive outcome such as the creation of jobs or the greening of an industry. Without controls though, subsidies could give an unfair advantage to some business over their competitors.

The Subsidy Control regime enables public authorities to design and deliver subsidies that are tailored to their local needs and that drive economic growth, while minimising distortion to UK competition and investment and protecting our international obligations. This supports our goals of supporting British businesses to grow, ensuring markets are competitive, securing investment and promoting free trade.

The regime is a critical part to the Government’s response to some of the biggest challenges facing the UK, from net zero to supply chain resilience, and from levelling up to supporting advanced manufacturing.

As a G7 Senior Policy Adviser, you will be a key part of a strong team of policy professionals who are collectively responsible for ensuring the effective operation of this new regime. You won’t need experience of Subsidy Control or competition policy – we’ll provide all the knowledge and training you’ll need.

But you will bring curiosity, analytical skills and the ability to simplify complex ideas to busy and sometimes sceptical external contacts. You’ll know how to solve problems and how to persuade. You don’t need to be an economist or a lawyer, but you will be interested in how politics, economics and the law intersect.

You’ll get to work on a wide range of projects, from advising on multi-million pound government interventions, to reviewing the functioning of the Subsidy Control Act, liaising with regulators, feeding in to trade negotiations and presenting to local government bodies.

For more information on Subsidy Control please visit :  

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/subsidy-control-regime 

We are looking to fill two roles: the first will work on the underlying policy and legislation for the regime, advising and developing solutions to novel or tricky problems as well as carrying out engagement and outreach activities across the public sector.

The second role will be responsible for guiding Public Authorities through the subsidy process, including helping them to design strong and compliant subsidy measures.

Tasks may include: 

• Providing support and guidance to public authorities on specific Subsidy Control cases.
• Working with analysts and external stakeholders to understand the effectiveness of the new regime, identifying opportunities to improve and future-proof where feasible.  
• Delivering an outreach programme to up-skill public authorities on Subsidy Control obligations. 
• Building productive relationships with key stakeholders across public authorities and beyond to share best practice and identify and resolve issues with the regime. 
• Drafting briefings, correspondence and decision papers for ministers and senior officials.  
• Proving expert input into international negotiations on Subsidy Control and working with the FCDO on issues arising from the Subsidy Control chapter of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement with the EU.  
• Drafting statutory guidance and preparing new legislation (where required). 
• Line management of one or more other members of staff.

The exact mix of responsibilities for each successful candidate will depend on the needs of the team as well as the background and skills of the successful candidates.   

Some UK travel may be required.