Senior Policy Advisor Position Available In Jefferson, Alabama

The Post Office is a key national asset at the heart of communities across the country. Government owns Post Office Limited (POL), and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the company and works with UKGI to oversee the company’s performance. The Post Office has never been more high profile. The Government has a manifesto commitment to strengthen the Post Office network and has committed to publishing a Green Paper later this year. This is the first time since 2010 that Government has set out what it aims to achieve via the Post Office network. It will mark the beginning of a debate involving Parliament, Postmasters and the Post Office about how to secure and strengthen the Post Office network for the future so consumers continue to have access to the vital banking and mails services it provides. The Post Office has a new interim chair and CEO who want to address the mistakes of the past and have developed an ambitious transformation plan for the business. There is also strong interest from all sides in Parliament about the future of Post Office. The post therefore offers a great opportunity to work closely with senior leaders and to gain Parliamentary experience. In addition to the Post Office’s historic actions relating to the Horizon IT scandal, the Government/UKGI oversight of the company has been a central focus of the ongoing Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, which is likely to set out its findings and recommendations later this year. This is therefore an exciting opportunity to be part of the team that is shaping the future of high streets across the country by ensuring the Post Office is fit for the modern world. We are looking for driven candidates to fill two vacancies within the Post Office Policy and Funding Team at DBT. These roles sit within the wider Post Office Directorate, which is responsible for Post Office Policy and Funding (these roles); delivering compensation to Postmasters affected by the Horizon IT scandal; and HMG’s participation in the Horizon IT Inquiry. The Directorate is led by Carl Creswell, in DBT’s Business Group under Jaee Samant and David Bickerton. Role 1: Senior Funding and Finance Policy Advisor You will work with the Grade 7 to review and scrutinise the funding arrangements of DBT and Post Office, updating and advising senior officials and Ministers as necessary. Together with the Grade 7, you will implement and refine the financial governance processes around Post Office’s Strategic Transformation Plan, ensuring that DBT’s senior team are updated regularly on Post Office’s performance and key milestones. You will lead the monthly reimbursement process to Post Office for costs associated with administering compensation to postmasters and responding to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry. You will lead on Post Office funding issues as they arise, seeking to understand the challenges and constraints, seeking input and advice from others, and developing a plan to address them. You will work with Post Office to address and overcome issues ahead of laying of the Annual Report and Accounts in Parliament. You will develop close working relationships with colleagues in Finance, at UK Government Investments, at HMT and at Post Office to facilitate an open and constructive environment. You will lead on Freedom of Information requests, develop and maintain lines to take, working with the Briefing and Correspondence Hub on correspondence and Parliamentary activity, as these relate to Post Office funding issues and Post Office’s Strategic Transformation Plan. You will lead on briefings for senior officials and Ministers for meetings and support Ministers at debates. Role 2:

Senior Governance and Funding Policy Advisor Governance :

You will work with the Grade 7 to maintain the Government’s governance relationship with Post Office and UK Government Investments (UKGI). Specifically, this will include: leading on DBT’s review of proposed appointments to the Post Office leadership and Board; tracking and opining on multiple governance products; collaborating with UKGI to draft Governance update submissions for Ministers; leading on implement Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) review’s into DBT’s sponsorship of the Post Office; As part of this role you will also lead on strategically reviewing the Governance relationships and drive forward improvements.

Relationship building:

You will lead on maintaining and building close working relationship with UKGI and the DBT Partnerships team on Post Office Governance.

Funding:

You will work with the Grade 7 to review and scrutinise the funding arrangements of DBT and Post Office with regard to the Tech Transformation plan. Leading on drafting monthly submissions, doing adhoc updates and supporting on advising senior officials and Ministers as necessary. This will involve working closely and building relationships with Post Office Finance, DBT Finance, UKGI Finance and external digital assurance contractors.

Secretariat:

You will lead on providing the secretariat function for the senior level Steering Group that oversees DBT’s work on addressing Post Office’s longer-term challenges.

Risk Management:

You will own the team’s risk management processes and work with DBT’s Partnerships team to ensure DBT’s senior team are updated regularly on Post Office’s performance and key milestones.

Correspondence :

You will lead on Freedom of Information requests related to Governance and the Post Office Tech Transformation plan, develop and maintain lines to take, working with the Briefing and Correspondence Hub on correspondence and Parliamentary activity. On occasion you will lead on briefings for senior officials and Ministers for meetings.