Senior Policy Adviser Covid Strategy and Inquiry

About the GroupStrategy, Planning and BudgetStrategy, Planning and Budget operates at the heart of the Treasury to develop the Departments overall strategy and business plan, assess performance and risk, and help deliver its objectives with a large, flexible project team who work on ministerial priorities across the whole range of the departments policy responsibilities. We also co-ordinate the Chancellors annual Budget, the Finance Bill and the Treasurys tax strategy, as well as coordinate the Treasurys responses to the COVID-19 Public Inquiry and provide support to ministers and officials who are Inquiry witnesses. SPB also promotes excellent policymaking across the department and houses the Darlington Leadership Team, which works to ensure the successful delivery of the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC).About the TeamThe Treasury played a central role during the Covid 19 pandemic, and the team sits are the heart of the department leading the Treasurys response to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry and providing support to high profile witnesses including senior politicians and officials. The team also advises ministers and HMTs Executive Management Board (EMB) on the reports and recommendations from the Inquiry and work with other government departments to ensure that key lessons are learnt, enabling the government to be better prepared for future crises. We are a friendly, fun and supportive team of 14 led by a Deputy Director and two E2s (grade 6s). We have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion welcoming colleagues from different backgrounds and with different working patterns. The team also works extremely closely with legal colleagues including the Government Legal Department, Treasury Legal Advisers and our external legal team. About the JobThe UK Covid-19 Inquiry is an independent statutory public inquiry examining the UKs response to the pandemic. It is one of the widest-ranging and highest-profile inquiries in UK history. HM Treasury played in a central role in the pandemic response and therefore been closely involved in the Inquirys proceedings. We are engaging with the Inquiry openly and constructively and providing high quality support to politicians and officials who are called as witnesses to the Inquiry. In addition, we advise ministers and Treasurys Executive Management Board on the Inquirys emerging reports and policy recommendations and work closely with colleagues in the Cabinet Office, the Department for Health and Social Care and other departments to respond to those recommendations. The Inquiry is split into ten modules examining different aspects of the UKs pandemic response. HMT is a Core Participant in seven of these modules, reflecting our central role. Investigations in these modules are taking place concurrently and are at different stages, though the Chair of the Inquiry (Baroness Heather Hallett) has committed to completing public hearings by summer 2026. Given the complexity of the Inquiry response programme, we operate a highly flexible and collaborative resourcing model in the team, with matrix management between the two branches an established norm. Although the post holder will have their own management and leadership relationships, the teams two E2s and the DD work closely together as a collaborative and tight knit leadership team, leading the team and wider department. Your specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to: Leading and overseeing HMTs response to the Economic Response Inquiry module (Module 9) HMT led decision making and overall strategy for the economic response to Covid, including totemic measures such as furlough. As such, HMT are likely to be the key material provider for this module. You would provide direction and oversee the cross departmental effort to: Respond to detailed questions from the Inquiry in written corporate statements, ensuring these statements give a clear, comprehensive and compelling account of HMT actions and decision making, supported by documentary evidence. You would lead the team in developing statements with our legal team and seeking input and clearance from the Second Permanent Secretary and current and former senior officials; support HMT witnesses including past and current senior officials and former ministers, working with them and our legal team to develop their evidence and help prepare them for giving evidence in oral hearings; oversee HMTs input to public hearings including opening and closing statements and the teams hearing monitoring and communication plans; reflect on the key lessons learnt for HMT in this area and provide timely and robust advice to EMB and ministers on the Inquirys recommendations; work with colleagues from other core departments to respond to the Inquirys report and oversee the implementation of recommendations in HMT and across the government. Overseeing HMTs response to the Inquirys reports and recommendations on other modules The Inquiry published its first report, on Module 1 (Preparedness and Resilience) in July 2024 and the government has committed to responding by mid-January 2025. Further reports will follow through to at least 2027. Oversight of the response on each module will be shared between the two E2s, with the split to be agreed upon appointment. You would bring policy leadership and oversight to HMTs response, including: Preparations for Inquiry reports, including oversight of the response to any warning letters received by HMT in relation to proposed criticisms; acting as the lead official in HMT in cross-government discussions to develop governments response to the Inquirys reports. You will liaise with teams across HMT to develop consensus positions on key policy decisions, effectively balancing a complex set of objectives; providing quality advice to ministers and EMB on key developments in the cross-government effort to respond to the report, where their interventions are needed and seek their clearance at the appropriate time; working with relevant HMT teams to develop and deliver robust procedures for implementing recommendations from the Inquiry, many of which involve complex organisational culture change, to help the department be better prepared for future crises.As key member of the Covid Strategy and Inquiry Senior Leadership Team and working with the other E2, you will support the Deputy Director in ensuring strong leadership of the team, maintaining a supportive and proactive team culture, deputising and providing leadership resilience. You may lead on discrete corporate priorities within the Covid Team, and potentially also the wider Strategy Planning and Budget Group;Responding to the Covid Inquiry is one of EMBs top priorities and a Labour Manifesto commitment, so you should expect to have significant exposure to EMB and ministers. You will need to be a credible and sensitive communicator, develop a strong grip on HMTs role during the pandemic, and bring sound strategic judgment to the implications of the Inquirys work for HMT now. You will need to build trusted relationships with very senior HMT officials and Ministers (both current and former) as well as with other Government departments and our legal team. The nature of the role will shift as the Inquiry moves through its work, and you will need to be proactive in identifying emerging challenges and opportunities for HMT and adapting your and the teams role accordingly. Experience working on a public inquiry or other processes requiring a strong understanding of legal concepts (such as legislation or Judicial Reviews) is not required but would be beneficial. As well as experience leading complex change within a large organisation.