Job details - Policy and professional jobs

Meet someone doing the job Andrew Bull

What does this involve?

We employ specialists in corporate activities such as research, legal work and finance, but the complexity, range and responsibilities of our work means that we need professional support in many key areas.

Examples of the professional support that we call upon are:

Accountants

These specialists deliver expertise in two key areas:

• Compliance - technical accounting issues, potential fraud and commercial accountancy including accounts preparation, record keeping and audit investigation
• Financial Management (FM) - helping the business manage its resources.

All accountants are CCAB qualified, and vacancies are advertised on our current vacancies page, in local and national press plus various accountancy publications.

Selection involves assessment exercises and an interview. The department also manages a professional accountancy training programme, which is open to graduates, and recruits once a year. There is also a possibility that we may include some accountancy posts in our graduate training programme.

Economists

Economists provide advice to Ministers and Senior Administrators, on tax change proposals and help us with policy evaluation and research. Economists usually start by applying to the Government Economic Service (GES) before they are assigned to us.

Lawyers

These specialists provide technical advice and support on appeals, undertake civil and criminal litigation, as well as helping with our Insolvency practice (one of the largest of its kind in England and Wales).

Lawyers (solicitors and barristers) for London offices come to us through the Government Legal Service.

In Scotland we recruit lawyers (solicitors and advocates) direct.

Researchers

Social Researchers

Social Researchers inform and evaluate policy decisions as well as support the day to day business of the department.

Most social research includes consultation with members from the population of interest and this may be in the form of surveys to provide statistical information or qualitative studies, which invite detailed responses providing a deeper understanding of key issues.

Most social research includes a consultation process which is often done by using surveys or qualitative studies which allow for details responses which give us a better understanding of key issues.

The team also advises colleagues on methodological and sampling designs for research and assists in the analysis and presentation of data.

A new recruit at entry level (Research Officer) would usually have a good first or higher degree in a social science subject, usually with a significant research methods, social policy or statistics component.

Further information is available on Government Social Research website

Operational Researchers

Operational Researchers (also known as 'management scientists') apply scientific methods to management problems.

They aim to provide a rational basis for decision-making by understanding and structuring complex situations. This often involves building mathematical models to predict system behaviour and thereby assist the planning of changes to the system.

Operational research (OR) calls for scientific methods of analysis and a systematic exploration of the quantifiable aspects of key problems.

OR analysts are there to give managers objective advice on the most appropriate options for future action.

New recruits usually have a good first degree or MSc in a numerate discipline, and would apply through the Government Operational Research Service. Please see Government Operational Research Service website for further details.

Statisticians

We recruit statisticians through the Government Statistical Services (GSS).to create models which provide forecasts to the Treasury and help inform proposed changes.

You can find out mre information from the National Statistics website

Communications and marketing

Specialists in communications, marketing and design work to enhance and protect the HMRC reputation. They champion customer-focused decision making and effectively communicate HMRC policies, products and services both internally and externally. We advertise these posts directly and through the Government Communications Network.

Information technology

We currently operate over 250 IT systems which cover the full scope of HMRC business, such as direct and indirect tax, National Insurance, Tax Credits and frontiers work. We occasionally recruit senior level IT specialists and when we do, these vacancies are advertised on the current vacancies page, in the national press and in various computing publications.

Intelligence

Officers provide detailed intelligence packages which help us to investigate cases thoroughly and objectively. This is achieved through researching sources within the department and beyond to a high standard, and being prepared to suggest avenues of enquiry that case officers may not have considered.

Intelligence officers also have a proactive role in gathering data to identify risk areas so the department can take preventive action.

When vacancies in this area arise, we advertise them on our current vacancies page and in relevant publications.

What are the career prospects?

Once you’ve passed your probation, you can apply for posts in higher grades as long as you meet the criteria of the post being advertised and your manager supports your application.

Developmental moves within the department are also available.

Many specialisms offer placements in a number of Civil Service departments, so you could move to another department after a couple of years.

Where are the jobs?

These posts can be anywhere in the UK, but for some of our specialisms, they are located in certain parts of the country.

Compliance accountants are located throughout the country and whilst many FM specialists are based in London, Southend and Worthing, other FM roles are undertaken in most parts of the UK.
Communications and marketing posts are mainly in London, but there are some posts in the North East and there is a national network of regional press officers

What is the pay?

The salary for each vacancy will be specified in the job advertisement.

Most of these jobs tend to be at Higher Officer and above. Further information about the rates of pay can be found on the Pay and benefits page.

What qualifications or qualities are needed to apply?

You will usually need a professional qualification in the specialism you’re interested in. Each advertisement will specify the entry requirements.

When filling these posts, we look for people who work well in teams and workers who can adapt to the challenges and constraints of the public sector.