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General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £41,463 - £45,276, London salary range is £47,657 - £52,040. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Cardiff, London
Region
London, Wales
Closing Date
23-Jul-2025
Post Type
Fixed Term, Loan
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
7570

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Wales Office
Job Description for Senior Policy Advisor: Business & Investment

Job Title    Senior Policy Advisor: Business & Investment

Pay Grade    SEO

Salary    £41,463 - £45,276 (National) / £47,657 - £52,040 (London)

Location    Ty William Morgan, Cardiff, CF10 1EP/ Gwydyr House, London, SW1A 2NP

Contract    Up to 18 Month Fixed Term contract or Loan with possibility of extension

Clearance    CTC (See Additional Information)

About the Wales Office:

The Wales Office the face of the UK Government in Wales and the voice of Wales in Westminster. We support the Secretary of State (SoS) for Wales and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales (PUSS) in representing Wales at the heart of Government. We work in partnership with other UK Government departments and stakeholders to deliver a stronger Wales within a strong United Kingdom.

Our departmental values are Commitment, Collaboration and Quality. These shape how we operate in a challenging, demanding, and fast paced environment which requires flexibility, transparency, and professionalism.

The Office is based over two sites, with one base in Cardiff and another in London. As an accredited smarter working organisation, we offer considerable flexibility around ‘the way we work.’ We have great technology and an attractive employee benefits package which includes a commitment to investing in the learning & development of our staff.

The expectation is that the postholder will travel around Wales engaging and working with stakeholders.

About the team:

The role is within the Policy Team in the Wales Office, which currently compromises twelve people. The Policy Team operates across a wide range of reserved and devolved policy areas, working to identify opportunities to benefit Wales within emerging UK Government policy, and acting to identify and resolve issues that affect Wales. The day-to-day work of the team involves engagement with senior stakeholders inside and outside of Government as well as advising ministers, officials, and regional partners on a broad range of topics.

The role will also work closely with the Tata Steel/Port Talbot Transition Board Secretariat in Wales Office. The Secretariat currently comprises of three officials and supports the Chair to ensure effective running of the Transition Board.

Description:

This is an exciting, fast paced role which will require engagement with a wide range of senior stakeholders, including frequent engagement with Ministers. You will play a role in shaping the Department’s work to support businesses in Wales.

Additionally, the role will provide policy support to the Tata Steel/Port Talbot Transition Board Secretariat, based within the Wales Office. The Transition Board was established in October 2023 to support the community and economy of Port Talbot and its wider region through the transition to electric arc steelmaking as a result of Tata Steel UK’s decisions.

As the Wales Office is not a direct policy delivery department, we rely on our ability to influence to deliver Ministerial priorities. You will need to quickly establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders both within and outside government. You will need to be confident engaging with stakeholders and will be responsible for working across the policy team supporting the development of stakeholder engagement plans. You will also need to be prepared to challenge and push back when under pressure as you deliver Ministerial priorities. You will need to work at pace to often challenging deadlines with an ability to draw together different sources of information and make sense of it for Ministers.

There will be a need for an excellent political antenna and so you will be proficient in keeping abreast of the latest developments in Wales and the rest of the UK. You will need to show leadership in the way you drive forward progress on your area of expertise. The Office is based over two sites, in Cardiff and Whitehall.

Key responsibilities:

This is an exciting fast paced role which will require engagement with a wide range of senior stakeholders, both inside and outside of Government. You will develop trusted relationship with external stakeholders, to provide business intelligence for the Department and other Whitehall Departments. You will play a role in shaping the Department’s work to support businesses in Wales, covering a wide range of priority sectors including steel, aerospace, automotive and advanced manufacturing, while strengthening Wales’s place in the United Kingdom. You will also drive forward the department’s work to increase Welsh exports and will coordinate trade promotion, working closely with the Department for Business and Trade. You will have frequent engagement with Ministers and Senior Civil Servants, providing advice and briefings. You will be decisive and confident working autonomously to drive forward departmental objectives, often at pace.

The role will involve:

  • Building trusted relationships with external stakeholders to understand challenges and opportunities facing business and potential investors.
  • Gathering evidence and intelligence and using it to inform the development of strategies and plans to deliver Wales Office priorities.
  • Working with the Head of Business & Investment to manage business shocks in Wales ensuring a coordinated UKG response.
  • Forging partnerships across UK Government and the Welsh Government to help shape and influence policies.
  • Representing stakeholder views convincingly to ministers and officials across UK Government.
  • Coordinating trade promotion for the Department, working closely with the Department for Business and Trade.
  • Advising and briefing ministers – supporting them in their Parliamentary and other duties.
  • Replying to written correspondence from Parliamentarians, external groups, or members of the public, for example, and supporting the SoS/PUSS to prepare for Parliamentary engagements, such as Welsh Affairs Committee appearances and Welsh Orals sessions in the House of Commons.
  • Providing policy support to the Tata Steel/Port Talbot Transition Board Secretariat. 

The key responsibilities are not intended to be exhaustive, and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the postholder.

Person Specification:

Please evidence how closely you match the essential criteria in your Statement of Suitability: 

Essential:

 

  • Experience of building and maintaining relationships with senior stakeholders.
  • Demonstrable experience of developing and giving effective policy advice to Senior Officials or Ministers through both oral and written briefing and correspondence.
  • Clear evidence of experience of working in a time pressured environment.
  • Excellent communicating and influencing skills.
  • An ability to work and deliver in a fast-paced environment. 

Desirable:


  • Welsh Language skills.
  • Experience and knowledge of the Welsh economy and the business and investment environment.

Recruitment Process

This campaign will be undertaken using the Civil Service Success Profile framework. You will need to provide evidence in your application to cover the following behaviours:

  • Communicating and Influencing (Lead Behaviour) (Application & Interview)
  • Seeing the Big Picture (Application & Interview)
  • Delivering at Pace (Interview Only)

Successful candidates who make it to the interview stage will also be asked to provide a five-minute presentation on the key opportunities and challenges for business investment in Wales.

In the event of a high volume of applicants, we will sift only on the lead behaviour to create a shortlist for interview.

Strengths will also be assessed at interview, but these are not shared in advance.

Candidates are also required to provide a Statement of Suitability (maximum 750 words) which details how they match the essential criteria for the role.

Additional Information

The Wales Office is not an employer in its own right. Staff recruited to work at the Wales Office will be employees of the Ministry of Justice who provide employment services on our behalf.

This role requires CTC level clearance. Applicants for National Security Clearance (CTC) must be resident in the UK for 3 years immediately prior to their application for Security Clearance.

If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years), you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.

If you do not meet the above requirement, you may still be considered for the role if, for example:

  • You have been serving overseas with HM Armed Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government.
  • You were studying abroad.
  • You were living overseas with parents.
Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

Diversity & 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 Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 7570

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 7570


Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
500
Communicating and Influencing
Seeing the Big Picture
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews expected mid-August
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Seeing the Big Picture
Delivering at Pace
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)