International Debt Policy Adviser

at  HM Treasury

JOB SUMMARY

If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth.
Our work ranges from protecting customers through the regulation of the financial sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and creating a greener economy, to promoting British trade around the world and supporting people across the country on jobs, growth and more.
We are part of the Darlington Economic Campus, a pioneering new cross-government hub which brings people together to play an active role in the most important issues of the day whilst working closer to the communities we serve. The campus provides the opportunity for people from all over the UK to help shape the future of the country, and our flexible working practices ensure you can collaborate effectively with our partners. It’s central government, made more accessible to you!

ABOUT THE JOB

This role is in the international debt branch, which develops policy on key international debt issues working with other government departments including FCDO, UKEF and the UK’s Delegation to the IMF and World Bank in Washington, as well as representing the UK in the Paris Club, the main international forum for international debt issues.
With debt vulnerabilities in developing countries at record levels, the approach to resolving debt issues internationally is at the forefront of global discussions in the G7, G20 and IMF/WB. The unit is at the heart of providing policy advice to senior officials and Ministers on this significant range of issues.
You don’t need to be a policy professional or have any specific qualifications to apply to work as a Policy Adviser at HM Treasury. We are looking for people who have the right set of skills for the role, who demonstrate the values of our organisation, and who are motivated to come and work with us on a range of issues that are at the heart of how we spend money and deliver public services.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

We are looking for the below skills, experience and behaviours and we will ask you to demonstrate these in your application form. Please review the Candidate FAQ document that is attached to the advert for guidance on how to complete your application form.

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)

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES FOR THIS ROLE INCLUDE:

• Develop the UK’s policy position on sovereign debt policy issues, such as shaping our policy on efforts to deepen restructurings under the G20’s Common Framework, inputting to Chancellor and DG/Director level briefings for the G20, G7, IMF, World Bank, and Paris Club.
• Develop, project manage and deliver our approach to securing wide uptake of Majority Voting Provisions (innovations in debt contracts to make restructurings more efficient) by private lenders, using all relevant international meetings and summits.
• Lead on the nexus between debt and climate for the team, including working with international climate leads to shape and defend the UK’s positions on debt as part of international climate negotiations (e.g. debt swaps), driving forward international lobbying efforts to encourage widespread adoption of Climate Resilient Debt Clauses (CRDCs) in line with the UK’s approach.
• Provide policy advice on specific debt country cases, understanding in detail their debt situations and providing strategic advice in line with UK debt objectives, working closely with our partners in FCDO and UK Export Finance (UKEF).
• Support the UK Head of Delegation to the Paris Club at regular meetings, including providing briefing and readouts to share across the UK international network.
• Respond to correspondence from parliamentarians and the public on international debt issues, ensuring accurate and timely responses are provided. Prepare briefings and inputs for the quarterly directors’ debt meeting between HMT, FCDO and the UK’s IMF delegation.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with partners, including colleagues in the FCDO, UKEF, CO, and our delegations to the IMF and World Bank, as well as non-governmental organisations.
• Work flexibly across the unit and team and contribute to wider team and group policy thinking and corporate issues. Some international travel may be required e.g. the postholder usually attends Paris Club meetings rotating attendance alongside the HEO in the branch.
  Please note these responsibilities might be subject to change depending on priorities and workloads across branch.