Pensions Senior Policy Adviser - Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

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 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.

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 teams 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.

• (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.

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.