Policy Advisers - Graduate Development Programme

Darlington or London - Hybrid

You’ll receive a starting salary of £31,500

Whilst on the Graduate Development Programme, Policy Advisers will receive a salary uplift to £36,450 after 18 months. At the end of the programme, there is a salary uplift to £42,420/39,420 (London/National). Many staff also go on to promotion at this point.

All degree subjects are welcome.

You can change lives. Become a Policy Adviser.

Our work touches every aspect of everyday life. As the Government’s economic and finance ministry, we influence policy across all government departments. And you don’t need to be an economist to help us do it. Whatever degree subject, skills and life experience you bring, we’ll train and support you to make a real, positive and lasting impact on communities across the UK.

It all begins here.

About HM Treasury and the impact you can make with us.

Our responsibilities include maintaining control over public spending, deciding how money is raised from taxpayers and ensuring that it’s spent responsibly. We ensure value for money, set the direction of the UK’s economic policy and work to achieve strong and sustainable economic growth. We’re also working to create a simpler, fairer tax system and, by making them easier to access and use, make financial services work for more people.

HMT graduates make an impact on millions of people’s lives, all over the UK every day. They’re involved in policy work that drives government decisions across a whole range of areas, from health, education and local government, to banking and insurance, the criminal justice system and more. HM Treasury has a strong commitment to equality and diversity. Our aim is to be an open and inclusive department, recruiting and retaining hard-working people from a diversity of backgrounds, who support and develop one another.

Join us, and we’ll give you the support and training you need to become a Policy Adviser too. It’s a captivating role that offers real responsibility and invaluable learning experiences from the start.

Becoming a Policy Adviser on the Graduate Development Programme.

On this three-year programme, starting in September 2025, you’ll grow a breadth of skills and experience on two 18-month placements, working with different government departments and external organisations to help shape policy.

You’ll start with an initial week of training, covering how Parliament works, policy making and the legal framework, and developing skills such as project coordination and workplace communication. You will continue your learning on policy skills throughout your first 18 month role.

Your work will include discussing ideas and coordinating work with colleagues, writing, researching and analysing information to develop or enhance policy ideas. You’ll gain real expertise in your specific policy area – which could be anything from higher education or international tax avoidance to public health or infrastructure spending.

You’ll spend your next 18 months in a second role. Depending on your preferences and the needs of the department, you could deepen your knowledge in one area, or work in a different area to broaden your experience. Your learning during your second role will help you to develop your leadership and management skills to prepare you for promotion opportunities.

Whichever policy area you work in, we don’t think you can find responsibility, challenge or fulfilment like it anywhere else.

What you’ll bring.

To ensure we reflect the needs of all our communities, we must bring different perspectives and experience to everything we do.

We value your expertise alongside your life experience, as we continue to navigate an ever-changing landscape. To ensure we are providing the best advice and policy on some of the most pressing issues this country faces; we are looking for innovative thinkers who are proactive and feel comfortable in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. We therefore welcome applications from all academic backgrounds and universities. As the cohort will be starting in September 2025 , you will need to already hold an undergraduate degree by this point.

We encourage you to apply if you have:

• A 2:2 undergraduate degree in any discipline.

• The right to work in the UK as an EEA, Commonwealth, Swiss or Turkish national. You’ll also need to pass security clearance.

• The ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely, in writing and in person.

• The ability to look at problems from different angles.

• An interest in helping to improve lives by working in public policy.

• The ability to think flexibly and cope with changes to situations and priorities.

In return, we offer a stimulating and encouraging environment working with forward-thinking people who want to make a real difference throughout the UK and some great benefits.

We will be holding two workshops during the application period to provide guidance on the application and selection process, alongside an insight into working in HM Treasury – these will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams and are open to all applicants;

• Thursday 31st October 2024, 17:00 – 18:00
• Friday 8th November 2024, 13.00 - 14.00

These are optional events which you can attend whether you have applied or not. The purpose of these webinars is to give you more information about the recruitment process. The links can be found on the HM Treasury Careers Website

The closing date for applications is Friday 15th November 2024.