Senior Project Officer (Subsidy Advisor)

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Job description

An exciting opportunity to join us at the start-up of a brand-new function of national importance. We are seeking Senior Project Officers to apply their strong analytical, research and collaborative working skills to support the development of the newly created Subsidy Advice Unit including helping to build digital capacity and managing and developing staff.

The Subsidy Advice Unit

In June 2021 the Government announced its intention to establish a Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) within the CMA. The proposed role of the SAU is set out in the Subsidy Control Bill, which is currently being considered by Parliament. The SAU's role will form part of the new domestic regime for subsidy control, which has replaced EU State aid rules post-EU exit. The SAU will provide expert and impartial advice to public authorities on referral of complex and high-value subsidies and will monitor and report on the effective operation of the UK subsidy control regime.

This newly created unit presents a range of exciting career opportunities. The development of SAU advice and reports will require multi-disciplinary teams of legal, economic, analytical, and policy experts to work together. In addition, setting up and running the SAU will require project management, strategy, stakeholder engagement, and administrative support skills. SAU roles not only offer excellent career development but also an exciting opportunity to contribute to the establishment of a high-profile new function within the CMA.

The role

Initially, Senior Project Officers will contribute to the development of this new exciting unit, spanning a range of policy, analytical, communications, and other operational readiness work. This will include taking a lead on knowledge management, staff management and contributing to digital capacity and will ensure that the SAU is fully equipped to deliver high quality advice and reporting projects from launch.

Once the SAU has been launched, Senior Project Officers will work across a range of subsidy advice and reporting projects, including through monitoring the landscape and providing stakeholder insight. You will build and analyse an evidence-base to ensure reports and advice are accurate and well-reasoned and ensure drafted documents are clear and persuasive, recognising the often-exacting standards of scrutiny by external parties.

While these roles are based in the SAU, successful candidates may sometimes be required to work in other areas for example the Office for the Internal Market, markets, mergers, regulatory appeals, and enforcement. Over time, there may be opportunities to move to other areas of the CMA on a more permanent basis.

Senior Project Officer roles are available in all of the CMA's offices (London, Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh) and applications are welcomed from candidates seeking to be based in any of these offices.

What we are looking for

Candidates are likely to come from a diverse range of professional backgrounds, including policy, generalist project support, local government, and regulatory bodies, bringing with them proven research, analytical and organisational skills. Your experience will include achieving outcomes by working collaboratively with others, including through working as part of a team and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The ability to communicate effectively, including summarising research finding to senior managers is essential. A willingness to acquire, at speed, a detailed knowledge of the subsidy control framework and of unfamiliar markets and policy areas is equally important.

Benefits

The CMA prides itself on being a great place to work and strives to ensure that staff have the opportunity to grow and expand their skills portfolio. As well as being a hugely rewarding, diverse and stimulating place to work, you will have an opportunity to work for the public good whilst stretching and developing yourself in doing so.

We offer generous benefits, including an excellent pension scheme, including 25 days leave (increasing to 30 over five years), and generous maternity/paternity leave provision. You can also take advantage of interest-free season ticket loans, a cycle to work scheme, our employee well-being programme and favourable consideration of flexible working.

To find out more about this opportunity and about working for the CMA, please click on the APPLY button.

Closing date for applications: 11:55 pm on Monday 13 th December 2021.

During the Covid-19 pandemic period, our staff at the CMA have been required to work from home to continue delivering our objectives. From October 2021 onwards, the CMA, like many other organisations, will move to a hybrid working model with a mix of office and home working. We believe this supports us to deliver our best work while allowing the flexibility to maintain balanced and healthy lives. Our staff work flexibly spending time at both home and their office location.

The CMA are an accredited Disability Confident Employer, and we are an equal opportunities employer, welcoming suitably qualified applicants from all backgrounds. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.