Senior Policy Advisor: Local Government Finance Capital Team

Policy Advisor (Local Government Capital Finance) – MHCLG

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is at the heart of the government’s efforts to empower localities and ensure they have the financial resilience to deliver essential services. This Senior Executive Officer (SEO) role sits within the Local Government Finance (LGF) Directorate, specifically within the team overseeing the capital finance system. You will manage the framework that dictates how councils borrow and invest money for local infrastructure and services. If you are analytical, curious about public finance, and eager to influence high-level government policy, this is a unique opportunity to act as a steward for the financial health of the local government sector.

About the Role

As a Policy Advisor, you will be a subject matter expert on the mechanisms that allow local authorities to fund long-term investments. This is a fast-paced, intellectually stimulating role where you will interpret data to identify systemic risks and ensure the capital system remains fit for purpose. You will contribute to critical operational processes, such as assessing council loan applications, and work in close collaboration with HM Treasury and Number 10. While prior expertise in local government finance isn’t required, you must have the ability to translate complex financial data into defensible policy advice for Ministers and senior officials.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Advice: Provide insights to support decision-making regarding the Department’s stewardship of local authorities.

• Risk Identification: Use data analysis to identify financial pressures and systemic risks at both individual council and sector-wide levels.

• Loan Assessment: Contribute to the robust and timely assessment of local authority loan applications, ensuring they are well-evidenced.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Build strong, influential relationships with HM Treasury, local authorities, and professional bodies like CIPFA.

• Policy Development: Lead projects from start to finish, developing clear, evidence-based proposals that align with broader national priorities.

Person Specification (Success Profiles)

Essential Criteria:

• Analytical Skills: Comfortable using tools like Excel to interpret data, identify trends, and inform strategic advice.

• Project Management: Proven ability to manage complex projects from inception to completion while meeting tight deadlines.

• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal skills; ability to explain complex technical issues clearly to Ministers and non-experts.

• Influence & Credibility: Confident in challenging and influencing stakeholders at all levels, maintaining a calm and credible presence under pressure.

• Evidence-Based Strategy: Ability to weigh options, risks, and impacts to develop clear, defensible strategies.

Behaviours to be Assessed:

1. Making Effective Decisions (Lead Behaviour)

2. Seeing the Big Picture

3. Communicating and Influencing

4. Delivering at Pace

5. Working Together

Salary & Benefits

• National Salary: £40,669

• London Salary: £44,319

• Pension: MHCLG contributes £11,781 (28.97%) toward your Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension.

• Locations: Bristol, Darlington, Leeds, London, Manchester, or Wolverhampton.

• Workplace Attendance: Expectation to spend a minimum of 60% of your time at your principal office.

Selection & Application Process

• Stage 1: Application: You must submit a CV and answer three behaviour-based questions (250-word limit each).

  • Note: MHCLG uses “chunked” and randomized marking to remove bias; ensure each answer is self-contained.

• Stage 2: Sift: Initial sift may be conducted on the lead behaviour: Making Effective Decisions.

• Stage 3: Interview: A blended interview consisting of behaviours, strengths, and an Excel-based analysis exercise.