Policy and Operations Adviser

We are MHCLG

Do you enjoy varied work that combines policy thinking with practical delivery?

Can you analyse complex information, improve processes and build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders?

If so, we have an exciting opportunity to join the Elections Funding team at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The Elections Funding team is responsible for the policy, guidance, legislation and funding arrangements that support UK Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner elections. We work closely with the Elections Claims Unit, which scrutinises claims from Returning Officers for the reimbursement of expenses necessarily incurred in delivering elections. This is a broad and developmental role spanning policy, operational delivery and continuous improvement. You will have the opportunity to contribute to national election-funding policy, support the effective processing of election-expense claims and help improve the processes and digital services used by the team and its stakeholders.

As a Policy and Operations Adviser, you will support both the policy and operational aspects of the wider team’s work.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the development and implementation of election-funding policy, guidance, legislation and funding arrangements, including research, analysis, options development, briefings, submissions and correspondence.
• Working closely with colleagues across policy, operations, finance, analysis, legal and digital to translate policy requirements into practical and effective delivery.
• Supporting the scrutiny and settlement of election-expense claims by reviewing financial and supporting information, identifying issues or risks, and making clear evidence-based recommendations in line with relevant legislation and guidance.
• Building effective relationships with Returning Officers, electoral administrators and internal and external partners, including seeking further evidence, resolving issues, explaining decisions and representing the team at meetings where appropriate.
• Supporting the administration and continuous improvement of the team’s processes and digital services, including user support, issue triage, maintaining guidance and records, gathering user needs and contributing to testing and implementation of improvements.
• Using financial, operational and user information to identify trends, emerging issues and opportunities for improvement, helping the team maintain oversight of priorities, risks and dependencies.
• Taking ownership of defined workstreams and providing flexible support across policy and operational priorities, particularly during periods of peak electoral activity.

This list is not exhaustive. Responsibilities may change to reflect electoral events and wider business priorities, with appropriate support and oversight for the grade.

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)
• 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)

Application and Selection

The application process will be split into 2 stages, testing the following Success Profiles:

Behaviours , Experience , Strengths

Please ensure your CV does not contain any personally identifiable information.

Note: We do not consider direct CV applications. All applications must be submitted via the provided application link.

Important: Your CV and Cover Letter must be merged into a single document before uploading.

Stage 1: Sift (CV & Cover Letter)

Experience: CV & personal statement: a 500-word personal statement addressing the essential criteria, with particular focus on managing varied work, analysing information, engaging stakeholders and improving deliver

If you run into any technical problems when applying through Be Applied (for example, trouble logging in or submitting your application), their support team can help. Please contact them at hello@beapplied.com.

If we receive many applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the lead behaviour listed in the advert. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

Lead behaviour: Making Effective Decisions

Stage 2: Interview

Candidates will be asked to prepare a short presentation, further details will be provided on invitation to interview.

• Behaviours: Making Effective Decisions; Managing a Quality Service; Communicating and Influencing.
• Strengths: The strength-based questions will require natural responses from the candidates.
• Experience: Experience questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description.

Sift and Interview Dates

Sifting is envisaged to take place the week commencing 24/11/2026.

Interviews are currently being held remotely via videocall. This could be subject to change.

Disability Confident Scheme (DCS)

We are a Disability Confident employer.

We apply a fair and proportionate interview process for all candidates. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to progress candidates who apply under the Disability Confident Scheme and meet the required minimum selection criteria.

However, where high application volumes are received, progression to interview may be limited to those who best meet the role criteria. In these circumstances, the benchmark required to proceed to interview may be raised for all candidates.

How We Recruit

Find out more about our recruitment processes here.

• Applying
• Sifting
• Interview
• Interview Results & Feedback
• Reserve List
• Near Miss
• Civil Service Grades
• We are a DCS, RIS & GPTWV employer
• Reasonable Adjustments

How to Apply

Find out everything you need to know before applying here.

You must review the following information from the MHCLG Career's Site before submitting your application. This step is essential to ensure your eligibility for the role and that your application is completed correctly.

• Security Clearance Requirements
• Civil Service Nationality Requirements
• Right to Work
• Civil Service Code and Recruitment Principles
• CV Declaration
• Sponsorships
• Salary and Grade
• Existing Civil Servants
• Conflict of Interest
• Location and Flexible Working
• Internal Fraud Database
• Appeals and Complaints
• Fixed Term Appointments for:
• External Candidates
• Existing Civil Servants (Including Loans)
• Secondments
• MHCLG employees

Security Clearance Requirements

National Office: BPSS

London Office: BPSS + CTC

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.