Senior Policy Advisor

Job description

Flexible working: We support a range of flexible working arrangements, part-time (minimum 32 hours per week), compressed hours, job share and flexible start and finish times. Home working is available one day per week, subject to business need. To find out more about our flexible working options, please visit the work-life balance page of our website

At GCHQ, we unlock the complex world of data and communications to keep the UK and its citizens safe, both in the real world and online. Working closely with our British Intelligence partners in MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from threats including serious, organised crime, terrorism, and cyber-attacks. A role at GCHQ offers varied and fascinating work in a supportive and encouraging environment, with an emphasis on teamwork.

As a Senior Policy Advisor, you'll lead a small but influential team, shaping the organisation’s response to policy and legislative developments that could affect how we operate. Your work will help ensure that operational, legal and strategic considerations are properly reflected in discussions across government.

The role covers a varied portfolio of work, balancing immediate priorities with longer-term planning. This could involve coordinating our response to a high-profile policy proposal or bill, drawing on expertise from across the organisation to shape a clear and considered response. At other times, the focus will be on advising senior leaders on emerging policy developments and helping them understand potential risks, opportunities and trade-offs.

Building effective relationships with senior colleagues across the organisation, partners across government and the wider national security community will be an important part of the role. Whether representing GCHQ in cross-government discussions or working with colleagues internally to reach a shared position, your work will help ensure our interests are understood and well represented.

You’ll also lead a team of policy advisors, setting clear direction, supporting their development and creating a collaborative working environment. As part of the wider Strategic Policy and Strategy team, you'll also help strengthen our longer-term policy capability and influence how we engage on policy and legislation more broadly.

As the role works across London and Cheltenham, travel between the two locations will typically be required once or twice a month. There’s usually flexibility around when you travel, although some meetings may require attendance on specific days.

To be eligible for this role, you must be a current Civil Servant with recent experience in a UK government department and already hold Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. You'll also need experience developing, shaping or influencing policy and legislation through government processes.

Your experience may include leading or making a substantial contribution to the development, passage or implementation of UK government legislation, leading work on complex policy issues, or advising Ministers and senior officials. You’ll also have experience working with organisations across the UK national security community to develop or deliver policy, legislation or wider cross-government outcomes. This will require an understanding of how to balance political, operational and strategic considerations, using sound judgement to navigate ambiguity and find a way forward.

You’ll be confident working with senior stakeholders and influencing policy outcomes, with credibility and political awareness to manage competing priorities. Strong leadership skills are also essential, with experience of setting clear direction, developing high-performing teams and helping people perform at their best.