Senior Policy Advisor

Job summary

In these times of global economic uncertainty, public procurement has a crucial role to play in bolstering domestic competitiveness, making the economy stronger and more resilient, and providing a solid foundation of security for British businesses. As a cornerstone of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, public procurement must be designed to drive growth, and leverage the UK’s unique strengths and untapped potential.

At the heart of public service reform is the transformation of public procurement. With the UK’s annual £400 billion spend on goods, works, and services, procurement is not merely a function; it is a powerful lever for national renewal so people around the UK feel this government spend through investment in their skills and opportunities to access high quality jobs close to home.

Strengthening the UK’s economic resilience and supporting British businesses, by strategically leveraging our annual public procurement spend, is the way to protect our supply chains, open up new opportunities for local small businesses and social enterprises, create good local jobs, and deliver greater value for taxpayers.

We can do this by designing, developing and implementing innovative procurement policies to ensure that every buying decision contributes towards the government’s plan for national renewal.

Job description

Senior Policy Advisors play a crucial role in designing, developing, implementing and evaluating procurement policy measures. This is a fast-paced environment and you will be responsible for leading a mixed portfolio of high profile policy priorities, taking the lead of all aspects using a proactive and collaborative approach.

Person specification

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of policy measures in line with the government’s Missions, Foundations and Plan for Change.
• Conduct thorough research and analysis to inform policy proposals, ensuring alignment with governmental priorities and legal requirements.
• Lead and contribute to stakeholder engagement activities, such as Trade Organisations, Crown Representatives, Strategic Suppliers, International Governments etc, to promote our activities and direction of travel and to seek feedback on policy design and new measures to ensure stakeholder buy-in.
• Lead on, and support seniors to present policy ideas and proposals to Ministers and other senior officials.
• Prepare high quality strategic reports, briefing papers, and presentations that clearly outline policy recommendations and implications, using data-driven evidence to support proposals.
• Engage with contracting authorities across central government and the wider public sector, providing guidance and support to aid in the practical implementation of new procurement policies, to gather ideas and secure buy-in to new proposals.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of implemented policies, collaborating with peers across the team and outside to identify areas for synergy, efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Horizon-scanning to maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in public procurement, and of relevant policy areas to provide insights to the team and make recommendations for adjustments as necessary.
• Lead on and support seniors to convene cross-departmental groups and sub-groups to develop and deliver specific initiatives.
• Provide developmental support and mentorship to junior team members, fostering an environment of learning and professional growth within the team.

Essential Criteria:

• Proven experience in policy analysis and development, with the ability to translate complex issues into actionable policy proposals.
• Demonstrable understanding of public procurement regulations and commercial processes within the UK government.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, capable of articulating complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience collaborating across different departments and organisations, at a range of levels including Ministers/Perm Sec/DG level.
• Proven ability to work independently as well as part of a cohesive team, sometimes in an ambiguous environment, and contributing positively to group dynamics.

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,204, Cabinet Office contributes £16,571 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Application process

Please provide an up to date CV, a 500 word personal statement and a response for each of the behaviours listed. You should ensure your application clearly demonstrates you have the necessary skills, expertise and experience to perform the role.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please provide a personal statement of no more than 500 words. It should explain how your knowledge, skills and experience (using examples) meet the requirements for this role in line with the Success Profile element(s) being assessed (e.g. Behaviours, Experience etc). Using the job advert information, particularly the job description and person specification. Information is available on the application process (including what Civil Service Success Profiles is) and how to write your personal statement.

Selection process

The selection process will involve a sift of each application using the CV, personal statement and responses to the behaviours against the job description, essential criteria and the success profiles. The interview will test all aspects of your application including the CV, personal statement and responses to the behaviours against the job description, essential criteria and the success profile.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead Behaviour (communicating and influencing).

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – Week commencing 13th April 2026
Expected interview date/s – week commencing 20th April 2026
Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via CabinetOfficeRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Further information

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

Please note that this role requires CTC clearance, which would normally need 3 UK residency in the past 3 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to Cabinet Office 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

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

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Emma Gallacher
• Email : emma.gallacher@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service by email at : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk. For further information on the Recruitment Principles and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.

Attachments

Cabinet Office Employee Offer (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 302kB)Cabinet Office Terms and Conditions - External 2025-02-20 Opens in new window (docx, 83kB)