Senior Policy Advisor

Job Description

Agency: UK Debt Management OfficeTeam: PolicyReporting to: Co-Heads of Policy TeamClosing Date: 25th September 2022About the UK Debt Management OfficeThe DMO is an Executive Agency of Her Majestys Treasury. We are responsible for debtand cash management for the UK Government, lending to local authoritiesand managing certain public sector funds.About the RoleThe DMOs Policy team is looking to recruit a Senior Policy Advisor.The teams main responsibility is to develop advice on the Governments debt management policy and implementation, taking account of the Governments debt management policy framework, investor preferences and developments in financial markets. Providingrobust evidence-based analysis is central to fulfilment of the areas responsibilities and, in this context, you will have responsibility for making significant contributions to, and in some cases having lead responsibility for, taking forward the developmentof key policy initiatives.The main qualities that the successful candidate will possess are the ability to think creatively; work independently and drive forward the work agenda; and take a collaborative approach within the team and with colleagues across the policy and markets area,and with key external stakeholders, to contribute to the development of evidence-based policy solutions. The successful candidate will have excellent analytical ability (including being comfortable with gathering, analysing and interpreting financial marketdata), very strong drafting skills that will allow them to communicate complex policy analysis clearly and concisely, and the capacity to put forward ideas persuasively to senior colleagues both internally and externally. Knowledge of financial economics and/orexpertise in financial markets would be an advantage.About the TeamThe Policy team is part of the Policy & Markets area, which also includes Research, Strategic Analysis, Dealing and Business Development teams, and the successful candidate will work flexibly alongside colleagues across the area on a variety of projects.The successful candidate will enjoy working as part of a specialised team in which professionalism and cross-team collaborative working are highly valued.The Policy team currently consists of six staff (excluding this role) including two co-heads of the team.Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities

• Lead in the development of policy analyses and recommendations that will contribute to the DMOs remit advice to HM Treasury.
• Prepare analysis and advice for senior management at the DMO to inform decisions on the operational delivery of the gilt borrowing programme within the financial year.
• Respond to ad hoc policy issues or queries (sometimes at speed) arising from HM Treasury, and internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead the Policy teams contribution to joint policy projects and key strategic initiatives.
• Run in-year debt management decision-making processes.

Sift CriteriaFor this vacancy, we will use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess you against the following Behaviours, Experience and Technical Skills:

• Technical: Lead criterion: Minimum 2.i first degree, or equivalent international qualification (please confirm equivalence to 2.i degree class or above).
• Experience: Three years professional work experience gained in a finance-related environment, or in a policy role, having demonstrated leadership across strategic and/or policy work streams.
• Experience: Very high standard in drafting written material, with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience: Strong interest in, and some familiarity with, debt management policy, fiscal policy and monetary policy, and the respective roles of the institutions involved.
• Experience: Ability to manage relationships and strategic interactions with key internal and external stakeholders including at senior levels.

CandidatesPlease note, you will be asked to give evidence in your application of how you meet these criteria.Interview ProcessAt interview stage, we will use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess your behaviours, strengths, technical skills, experience and ability as part of the interview.BehavioursBehaviours:

• Seeing the bigpicture
• Changing and Improving
• Making effective decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at pace

StrengthsThe interview panel will ask you questions about what you enjoy doing and what you do well and often.When looking at your strengths, we want to find out whether you, the organisation and the job will be a good fit.By ensuring that the role is the right fit for you, you are more likely to enjoy it and perform well.Technical skillsThe interview panel will ask you questions about your understanding of technical and practical matters on a range of relevant areas.ExperienceThe interview panel will ask you questions about what you have previously achieved or your knowledge in a particular field. The questions will relate to the areas of work outlined in the Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities section above.AbilityThe selection process will involve some skills, aptitude and psychometric testing for which you will be given prior notice.Candidates who are successful at the first interview will be invited to take tests (data analysis and a written exercise) alongside the second interview.InterviewInformation for candidatesThere will be a three stage interview process for this vacancy.Applicants for this post will be assessed against the elements of Success Profiles listed above. Candidate guidance on Success Profiles, and how you will be assessed, is available here.

Stage 1: Applicants who pass the sifting process will be invited for a telephone interview.

Stage 2: Candidates who pass Stage 1 (telephone interview) will be invited for a face to face or video call interview. As part of this, candidates will undergo some skills, aptitude testing and psychometric testing for which you will begiven prior notice.Stage 3: Candidates who pas