Policy Adviser - Office for Budget Responsibility

North East Combined Authority; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Flexible working patterns

Parental and adoption leave

Defined benefit pension (28% employer)

Cycle-to-work scheme

Staff networks

Job summary

Office for Budget Responsibility in Darlington is seeking a Policy Adviser to lead the department's sponsorship of the OBR and support high‑level fiscal forecasting and policy work. You will work across HM Treasury and with OBR colleagues to inform Ministers and senior officials on budget and fiscal decisions.

You will oversee stakeholder engagement, contribute to the Budget and forecasting process, and help ensure rigorous quality assurance and timely delivery of key fiscal messages.

Qualifications

• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to analyse complex issues and provide clear, balanced advice.
• Skilled at building productive relationships across teams and organisations.

Responsibilities

• Lead HM Treasury's sponsorship of the OBR, acting as the departmental expert on its remit and governance, and reporting key risks and issues to the Executive Management Board (EMB).
• Provide advice to Ministers and senior officials on OBR-related issues, delivering clear, balanced recommendations on high-profile and sensitive matters.
• Oversee the OBR's budget, working with HMT Finance to monitor spending, manage financial risks and support Spending Review negotiations.
• Build strong relationships with OBR counterparts, fostering effective collaboration and supporting senior engagement between HMT and the OBR.
• Lead the government's engagement on OBR-related issues, briefing Ministers, coordinating responses to inquiries and handling urgent parliamentary and media business.
• Coordinate fiscal event and forecast processes, working across HMT and the OBR to deliver forecasts, briefings and effective quality assurance.
• Contribute to FSP and Fiscal Group priorities, helping make the Group an excellent place to work and supporting wider corporate initiatives.

Job description

Policy Adviser - Office for Budget Responsibility

• Salary: National: £44,600 - £47,906 (If the successful candidate is a current Civil Servant joining on level transfer, HM Treasury will honour their current substantive salary if higher.)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Working Pattern: This post is available on a full time, part time or job share basis, and flexible working hours can be accommodated.
• Location: Darlington (Feethams House)

We are looking for a Policy Adviser to join the Fiscal Statistics and Policy team in our Darlington office. You'll work on high-profile issues, collaborate with colleagues across HM Treasury and beyond, and develop valuable experience at the heart of government.

About the Team

The Fiscal Statistics and Policy (FSP) team is made up of around 25 analysts and policy professionals and sits at the heart of the Treasury's policymaking. The team advises the Chancellor on the fiscal framework and fiscal events, monitors the public finances, analyses the fiscal outlook, manages fiscal risks, and leads the Treasury's relationship with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). FSP also plays a key role in representing and defending UK fiscal policy internationally. We are a friendly and inclusive team, proud of our diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

About the Job

This is an exciting opportunity to lead HM Treasury's strategic sponsorship of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), supporting an organisation central to fiscal policymaking. The role sits at the heart of the Budget and forecasting process, offering the chance to advise Ministers and senior officials, work across the Treasury, and influence high-profile decisions. It is well suited to someone who enjoys a varied role, taking ownership and working with a wide range of stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead HM Treasury's sponsorship of the OBR, acting as the departmental expert on its remit and governance, and reporting key risks and issues to the Executive Management Board (EMB).
• Provide advice to Ministers and senior officials on OBR-related issues, delivering clear, balanced recommendations on high-profile and sensitive matters.
• Oversee the OBR's budget, working with HMT Finance to monitor spending, manage financial risks and support Spending Review negotiations.
• Build strong relationships with OBR counterparts, fostering effective collaboration and supporting senior engagement between HMT and the OBR.
• Lead the government's engagement on OBR-related issues, briefing Ministers, coordinating responses to inquiries and handling urgent parliamentary and media business.
• Coordinate fiscal event and forecast processes, working across HMT and the OBR to deliver forecasts, briefings and effective quality assurance.
• Contribute to FSP and Fiscal Group priorities, helping make the Group an excellent place to work and supporting wider corporate initiatives.

About You

You will have strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage a varied workload and deliver high-quality work at pace. You will be comfortable analysing complex issues and providing clear, balanced advice. You will be skilled at building productive relationships across teams and organisations, using those partnerships to drive collaboration and deliver successful outcomes.

Some of the Benefits Our People Love

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant). Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)
• Generous parental and adoption leave packages
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 28%
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances
• A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity