Strategy and Policy Adviser

Job description

If you care about ensuring vulnerable people can access the services they need, protecting individuals and the public purse against fraud, making it much easier and quicker for all of us to get personalised government advice and support, and improving policy and service development by harnessing the power of data - then this is the role for you.

As a strategy and policy adviser you’ll:

• help develop and communicate a compelling vision and evidence-based strategy for fast, easy, streamlined access to online government services
• provide regular inputs into impactful presentations and briefings for ministers and seniors, with responsibility from time-to-time for leading on these
• own and develop key sections of business cases for spending reviews, working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, securing cross-government support and engaging with the Treasury
• work with internal economists, the NAO and Civil Service Group (Cabinet Office) colleagues to refine and agree new benefits methodologies

Person specification

We’re interested in people who have:

• strong drafting and verbal briefing skills, enabling you to communicate effectively and concisely within and outside your team
• the ability to bring clarity, structure and agreement to a context of conflicting priorities
• the ability to analyse complex problems, build a robust evidence base by working with analysts and subject matter experts, and put forward evidence-based conclusions and solutions
• experience in establishing and maintaining stakeholder relationships across government or civil society and industry
• the ability to stay focussed and calm under pressure, and to contribute to multiple work streams at the same time

Benefits

The benefits of working at GDS

There are many benefits of working at GDS, including:

• flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
• a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days
• an extra day off for The King’s birthday
• an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance
• career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development
• paid volunteering leave
• a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
• job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
• advances on pay, including for travel season tickets
• death in service benefits
• cycle to work scheme and facilities
• access to children's holiday play schemes across different locations in central London
• access to an employee discounts scheme
• 10 learning days per year
• volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)
• access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning

GDS offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home and also spends some time in their local office. You’ll agree to your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business needs.

Any move to Government Digital Service 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

Things you need to know

Selection process details

The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:

• a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and cover letter of up to 750 words. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “person specification” section above
• a 60 minute video interview

Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.

In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.

For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours: 

• seeing the bigger picture
• making effective decisions
• communicating and influencing
• delivering at pace

Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.