About the Programme
Everything we do at HM Treasury is intrinsically linked to everyday life in the UK. Our work covers important policy areas such as housing, education, health, local government, policing and pensions. We also support the wider economy by funding growth and business innovation to put the UK economy on a sustainable footing.
As a Policy Adviser, you’ll help shape government decisions by providing the best advice possible to Ministers and senior decision-makers. You’ll become a specialist in your policy area, helping to develop policies that are in the best interests of the people we serve. From the start, you’ll take on meaningful work and contribute to decisions that affect millions of people across the UK.
No two days are the same for a Policy Adviser. One day you might be analysing data or coordinating short and long-term projects, the next you could be in Parliament supporting Ministers in a debate. You’ll write briefings for Ministers and senior leaders, respond to questions from MPs or members of the public, and work with colleagues across government and external organisations to develop policy. You’ll be trusted with real responsibility from an early stage, while being supported to learn, grow and build your confidence.
Working with the mentorship and support of a manager and wider team, previous Policy Advisers have:
- Developed the Government’s first Islamic Finance bond
- Contributed to the development of the UK’s future customs and trade policy
- Developed regional devolution agreements, devolving powers to local areas
- Helped design and deliver the Government’s COVID-19 economic support measures, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough)
Policy Advisers can join us in either our London or Darlington offices on permanent contracts. As long as you complete your six-month probation period, you’ll remain a permanent staff member after completing the graduate programme, giving you the opportunity to shape not only the UK’s future, but your own career too.
Career progression
The HM Treasury Graduate Policy Programme is a phenomenal way to start a career in policy. You don’t have to have an economics degree or relevant work experience to succeed here. We designed the programme to nurture policy professionals, giving them the depth of knowledge and the breadth of experience to work across multiple policy areas. So, we’ll give you the training, support and experience to build on your existing strengths, develop new skills and grow your career faster than you might expect.
Programme structure
The Graduate Policy Programme is designed to help you build the skills, experience and confidence needed for a successful career in HM Treasury.
Over the course of the Programme, you’ll complete two placements. Your first placement will give you the opportunity to develop expertise in a particular policy area, take on meaningful responsibilities and build a strong foundation in policymaking. For your second placement, you may deepen your experience in a related area or broaden your knowledge by working on a different policy challenge, depending on your development needs and departmental priorities.
Alongside your day-to-day role, you’ll benefit from a structured development offer, including formal learning, professional skills development and support from managers and colleagues across the department. As you progress, you’ll take on increasing responsibility and gain exposure to some of the most important economic and public policy issues facing the UK.
After around two years on the programme, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a dedicated assessment process to demonstrate your readiness for promotion to the next grade up: SEO. While promotion is not guaranteed, the programme is designed to support participants in developing the skills and experience needed to pursue future progression opportunities within HM Treasury.
Responsibility, experience and support
Because of the Treasury’s key role in government and the high profile work we do, you’ll have the opportunity to take on meaningful responsibility early on. You’ll be supported every step of the way to make the most of your potential and progress your career. You’ll also benefit from regular mentoring conversations with your line manager, who’ll help you plan your dream career path.
It’s an approach that’s proved successful over the years. Most of our senior leadership team today joined the Civil Service as graduates.
Diverse career paths
HM Treasury’s work is diverse and so are the career paths of our Policy Advisers. After completing the Graduate Policy Programme, most of our Policy Advisers choose to develop a long-term career in the Treasury. Others gain experience in the wider Civil Service to share the knowledge and skills they’ve gained for the benefit of the UK population, and some move to other public sector organisations. Many of those who spend time away from the Treasury come back, to a warm welcome.
What we're looking for
We’re looking for innovators, people who imagine how the UK could be better and want to make a difference through the work they do every day.
We welcome graduates with a 2.2 or above in any degree subject, and from all universities.
As well as having a real interest in public policy and the role of government, you’ll bring the following skills and qualities:
Clear analysis: The ability to think through challenging problems, identify key issues and find solutions. You’ll be able to grasp ideas quickly, make sense of complex information and focus on what matters most.
Interpersonal skills: Policy Advisers work with a wide range of stakeholders who have different perspectives. You’ll be able to listen, understand different viewpoints and use that understanding to influence, persuade and negotiate.
Clear communication: It’s essential that you can communicate complex issues clearly and concisely, particularly in writing.
Team working: We work in small teams and value collaborative working and supporting each other, so we’re looking for people who share these values and can develop strong, positive working relationships with others.
Motivation: We’re looking for people who care about making a difference through public policy and are excited by the opportunity to contribute to decisions that affect people across the UK. And because our work is important and has a high profile, it attracts a high degree of scrutiny. So, you’ll need to be able to hold your own and balance responsibility, even in the very early part of your career.
Resilience: We work in an ever-evolving political and economic environment. You’ll need to be adaptable, think flexibly and cope with what could be frequent changes to situations and priorities.
Skills & training
Our Policy Advisers take on meaningful responsibility from the start, and we’re committed to giving you the support, training and confidence to succeed. Central to this is our Graduate Policy Programme.
The programme combines structured learning with hands-on experience, supported by your line manager and wider Treasury colleagues. You’ll develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours you need to be an expert professional Policy Adviser.
You’ll build a strong foundation in the core skills needed for policy making across HM Treasury and the Civil Service, including economics, fiscal policy and working with Ministers. You’ll also develop the practical skills needed to succeed as a Policy Adviser, from negotiating and influencing to creative problem-solving and communication.
Beyond the training available on the Graduate Policy Programme, you’ll be supported through the HM Treasury policy skills framework, relevant for staff at all grades who work in the policy profession.
