CO Pensions Senior Policy Adviser - Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

Pensions Senior Policy Adviser Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

On behalf of the Cabinet Office (Pensions Board), we are looking for a Pensions Senior Policy Adviser Senior Executive Officer based in London, Glasgow or York (Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time)

For this Cabinet Office vacancy, PSR will conduct the initial sift of applications. Following this stage, the Hiring Manager will undertake a detailed assessment of candidates to determine suitability for progression within the recruitment process.

Salary

£45,292 - £53,629

National: £45,292 - £49,073

London: £49,458 - £53,629

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

CO - Government People Group (GPG)

Job summary

Future Civil Service, Government Skills, Pensions and Operations

This is the strategic and functional centre for the Government People Function and human resources (HR) in the Civil Service. We enable and improve the delivery of recruitment, training, workplace policy, HR strategy and management excellence to over half a million civil servants.

From recruitment to retirement, the Business Unit is at the forefront of working with ministers and departments to ensure the Civil Service is equipped to deliver for UK citizens. Some of our work includes:

- Leading on cross-government HR strategy, organisation design and workforce planning.
- Procuring and delivering training and development schemes for the Civil Service.
- Delivering recruitment services, guidance and expertise to departments.
- Coordinating and advising departments on pay, pensions and employee policy.
- Setting standards and guidance for line managers and senior civil servants.
- Coordinating the implementation of the Shared Services Strate (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-shared-services-strategy-for-government)gy (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-shared-services-strategy-for-government)for Government (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-shared-services-strategy-for-government).
- Enhancing employee experience to promote an engaged workforce and culture of performance excellence.

Civil Service People Plan 2024-27

A shared aim of all civil servants working in the Government People Function is to support the delivery of the Civil Service People Plan 2024-2027 .

The People Plan outlines five People Priorities for the Civil Service, alongside 45 commitments to address our most pressing and immediate people challenges. Departmental plans and strategies also align with and contribute towards the People Plan. The Civil Service and Royal Mail Pensions Team currently manages or supports a range of public service pension arrangements with c.2.1 million members in total inc:

- Civil Service Pension Schemes (CSPS)
- Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme
- Ministerial Pension scheme
- Great Offices Pension Scheme
- European Parliament United Kingdom Representatives Pension Scheme

As a result the work is varied and challenging as we are responsible for defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes, manage large outsourced administrations contracts and ambitious change programmes, requiring us to engage with stakeholders from across the public and private sector.

Job description

The Senior Policy Adviser is responsible for providing expert policy advice on all our schemes, ensuring informed decision making and compliance with relevant legislation. The role holder will report to the Head of BAU Pensions Policy.

The Senior Policy Adviser you are responsible for leading, supporting and developing policy, creating a positive working environment and ensuring effective delivery of the team’s responsibilities. These may include, but not be limited to:

- Leading the development of scheme-specific pension policy, proactively identifying where advice is required and seeking relevant approval from senior officials, governance boards, H.M. Treasury and Ministers.
- Providing policy advice and guidance to: The Pensions Team and Scheme Administrators. Prospective and current employers in our pension schemes.- Cabinet Office’s Future Civil Service team. Prospective and current employers in our pension schemes.
- Managing the valuation process for the Civil Service, Royal Mail and Ministerial Pension Schemes.
- Managing the admission of new employers to the CSPS.
- Representing the Cabinet Office at a range of cross-Government and external forums.
- Assessing and implementing required changes to scheme rules in conjunction with the Technical team inc. completion of union consultations and managing the legislative process.
- Deputising for the Head of BAU Pensions Policy.
- Contributing to the wider objectives of the team and team culture.

Person specification

- (Essential) Proven track record of managing and developing staff.
- (Essential) A good understanding of the regulations and legislation, which govern UK pension schemes, and experience of working in the pension industry.
- (Essential) Recognised Industry Pension Qualification at level 4 (or above) or commitment to undertake a qualification once in role.
- (Essential) Strong and effective stakeholder management with a track record of helping colleagues at all levels understand complex pensions issues.
- (Essential) Willingness and ability to take a flexible and proactive approach researching and progressing new areas.
- (Desirable) Experience of working on public service pensions or private sector defined benefit schemes.

Behaviours

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

- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

Understanding of the regulations and legislation, which govern UK pension schemes and translating these complex matters for stakeholders.

Benefits

- Alongside your salary of £45,292, Cabinet Office contributes £13,121 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what (https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/memberhub/joining-the-pension-scheme/benefits-of-the-pension-scheme/)benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. (https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/memberhub/joining-the-pension-scheme/benefits-of-the-pension-scheme/)
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service Pension (https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/members/thinking-of-joining-the-civil-service/)https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/members/thinking-of-joining-the-civil-service/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 g uidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Application process

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. A Personal Statement against the skills and experience (maximum 750 words)

Your CV and Personal Statement are your opportunities to show us how your experience means that you meet the criteria for this role. Your CV should cover your skills, job history, and achievements to date and your Personal Statement is the chance to further expand on this and give specific examples of where you have demonstrated the desired skills. Giving examples rather than just saying you're experienced with a certain requirement will strengthen your statement and enable the sift panel to understand more about your suitability for the role.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the Personal Statement element.

The application process is being managed by [email protected]

To apply, click on the following link

https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/amspsr.avature.net/careersmarketplace/JobDetai l/11334__;!!KynuNviudA!HLXnsrtYG6YI4CpbxLhOHtUmjtuh_mDPNUR34uCvc8MnPA 6G3msDT_Q-a-hAEQXSOgt6U1r3e-v2KBPnCWSArKzpgDWYXz9dKtEP7Afk$

Selection process

A sift will be conducted on the CV and Personal Statement. Candidates successful at the sift stage will be invited to interview. Interviews will be held virtually and more information will be provided once you progress to the interview stage. The success profiles to be assessed at the interview are listed in this advert.

You will also be asked to complete a presentation. Further details will be provided once you progress to the interview stage.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – W/C 26/10/2026

Expected interview date/s – W/C 16/11/2026

Interview location - Google Meet

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a nondisabled 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:

Further information

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section. Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 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. 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. Determine your eligibility at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is securit y . People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel securit y standard 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 ) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or presettled 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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. 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 the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversit y and Inclusion Strate gy .

Apply and further information

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 : Public Sector Resourcing Team

Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

Email : [email protected]

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 at: [email protected]

If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: [email protected]

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