Senior Policy Advisor
GCHQ is the United Kingdom's intelligence, security and cyber agency, working to identify, analyse and disrupt threats to the UK.
About Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ)
A UK public body whose statutory function includes foreign-focused signals intelligence. GCHQ uses technical capabilities, analysis and online effects across counter-terrorism, cyber security, serious and organised crime, strategic advantage and support to defence. It has publicly described responsible AI use in its national-security mission.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will lead policy and legislative work, coordinate organisational responses to government developments, advise senior leaders, and represent organisational interests in cross-government discussions. You will also lead and develop policy advisors while strengthening longer-term policy capability.
Requirements
- Be a current Civil Servant with recent experience in a UK government department.
- Hold Developed Vetting clearance.
- Have experience developing, shaping or influencing policy and legislation through government processes.
- Have experience working across the UK national security community.
- Demonstrate political awareness, sound judgement and stakeholder-influencing ability.
- Have experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
- Be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality.
Responsibilities
- Lead responses to policy and legislative developments.
- Advise senior leaders on emerging policy developments, risks, opportunities and trade-offs.
- Build relationships with senior colleagues, government partners and the national security community.
- Represent organisational interests in cross-government discussions.
- Lead, direct and develop a team of policy advisors.
- Strengthen longer-term policy capability and engagement on legislation.
Benefits
- Flexible working arrangements, including part-time work, compressed hours, job share and flexible start and finish times.
- Home working one day per week, subject to business need.
- 25 days' annual leave rising to 30 days after five years, plus 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays.
- Interest-free season ticket loan.
- Pension scheme.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Subsidised gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars at some locations.
- Paid parental and adoption leave.
Hiring Process
Initial online application and pre-screening; online Situational Judgement Test; full online application; application sift; face-to-face interview; conditional offer.