Assistant Director (Range E2)

Person Specification

Required Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• First-rate policy-making skills – the ability to articulate the objectives of policy programmes, to develop and implement plans to achieve them, to draw conclusions from complex and often conflicting evidence and to win the support of senior stakeholders for your proposed approach.

• Exceptional written communication skills – with experience in drafting sensitive and high-profile reports and other materials. The ability to structure documents and reports around a clear and compelling narrative, with arguments rigorously articulated and explained, and conclusions identified and robustly supported by evidence; and the ability to get to grips with complex and often technical issues and make them comprehensible and meaningful to the lay reader.

• Strong strategic ability – including awareness of emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit own and team’s work, rapid analysis to drive sound, evidence-based policy solutions, a firm understanding of the broader political and strategic context, and the development and implementation of strategies to manage and influence them.

• Ability to build and manage relationships, including in sectors in which you have not previously worked. Confidence and credibility in meeting and influencing senior stakeholders. Good presentation skills, and experience in presenting policy analysis and ideas to a senior audience.

• Proven line management skills - dedication to getting the best out of your staff combined with an ability to tackle difficult issues with care and sensitivity where required.

Complaints Process

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of recruitment based on fair and open competition with decisions made on the basis of merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact HMT by email: hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.