About the Team The Education and Skills team is a high performing spending team, responsible for spending control of one of the largest and most high-profile budgets in government. We lead HMT’s relationship with DfE at a time when the department is delivering several radical reform programmes. We are also at the forefront of the Treasury’s work to boost productivity, by ensuring that we have an education system which meets the needs of the future economy. We are a friendly and supportive team with a strong emphasis on an inclusive and open culture, making use of everyone’s talents! We are especially proud of our track record in helping our team members to develop and make the most of the opportunities available whilst being in the team. Our core role is to help the Department for Education (DfE) to live within their budget and deliver reforms to boost productivity in order to grow the economy. About the Job In this role, you will: Develop the Treasury’s position on a range of adult skills and apprenticeships spending and policy issues, balancing fiscal considerations with the need to boost productivity and growth, and preparing high quality advice and briefing to ministers. Lead on spending control functions for the branch, scrutinising spending proposals, assessing evidence, analysing information and offering constructive challenge on plans. Work to deliver the priorities and outcomes funded at the Spending Review. This will include monitoring delivery, briefing Ministers and senior officials, analysing DfE proposals aimed at improving delivery and outcomes. Build collaborative working relationships with key policy officials in DfE, DWP and HMT, as well as a variety of cross-government and external partners to scrutinise and influence policy development. Plan and preparation for the next spending review. This will include analytical work to inform strategic decisions on priorities, understanding key risks and advising Ministers and senior officials on negotiation strategy. This is an exciting and stretching role which requires good policy judgement, a keen eye for detail and an ability to see and shape the bigger picture. This is a particularly interesting time to work on Apprenticeships and Adult Skills at the Treasury. The government has committed to ambitious reforms through the Growth and Skills Levy and there is significant ministerial interest across the portfolio, including on tackling the rise in people not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs). The successful candidate will need to quickly build expert knowledge of the policy areas and funding system, and develop strong working relationships across HMT, DfE and DWP. The post would suit someone with experience of - or an interest in - education policy and funding. About You The successful candidate will have the ability to: assess a wide range of evidence, analyse it and make judgments to inform decision making. make policy recommendations that balance economic, fiscal and political considerations in order to influence seniors and Ministers. build and maintain strong networks across government and externally to achieve progress on shared objectives, including providing constructive challenge. work independently and deliver to often short timetables alongside driving longer term work. 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 28.97% 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 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 hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk.