Investment Consultant

The Government Actuary's Department (GAD) is a non-ministerial government department that provides actuarial solutions and advice to support the UK public sector. Our mission is to improve the stewardship of public sector finances by supporting effective decision-making and robust financial reporting through actuarial analysis, modelling and advice.
GAD provides advice in relation to invested funds held or sponsored by public sector bodies, and on government policy relating to investments held in the private sector, often in the context of pension arrangements. We are looking to hire an investment specialist to work alongside actuaries, trainee actuaries and analysts to enhance the support we can provide to our clients on investment issues.
In the role you will be expected to work closely with clients, scope out advice needs and deliver high value funding and investment advice. In addition, you will help to build GAD’s reputation within the public sector, increasing awareness of your investment expertise and supporting the development of new client opportunities., As part of your role, we expect you to help grow and develop both your own skills, and those of junior colleagues to help meet the evolving nature of our work. You will also help develop the investment capabilities within GAD, sharing your knowledge and experience with others.
GAD consultants regularly work in a much more diverse range of areas than a typical actuarial consultancy, working closely with both policy makers and operational staff to deliver effective public policy. The work is varied, interesting and has purpose, working in the best interests of the UK public. Recent projects have included:
+ DB and DC pensions – advice in relation to funded public sector Defined Benefit (DB) pension scheme investments, public sector bodies’ Defined Contribution (DC) and Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) arrangements and wider pensions policy.
+ Sizewell C – working with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and stakeholders to develop the funding and investment framework for a fund that will eventually be used to decommission the Sizewell C infrastructure.
+ Mansion House 2023 – advising the Department for Work and Pensions on its productive finance agenda and how defined contribution pensions can contribute.
+ Climate scenario analysis – setting assumptions and carrying out analysis of investment portfolios for funded public sector pension schemes to comply with Taskforce for Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting.
+ Personal Injury Discount Rate – supporting government bodies as they review the rate of return that a personal injury claimant is assumed to earn if investing their damages award.

Person specification
1. To provide investment consultancy support and advice to government departments and other organisations in the public sector, both in the UK and around the world. This will involve working with colleagues and clients to deliver high-quality advice, often within demanding timescales.
2. To maintain and build on existing client relationships and to develop new relationships.
3. To work with colleagues to ensure all work is appropriately scoped and delivered in an efficient and timely manner with a focus on providing value for money for our clients. This includes:
+ Specifying work, monitoring output and providing feedback
+ Effective project management
+ Motivating and team building
+ Partnering with clients
+ Operational duties – scheduling work, leave management, exercising financial control as required
+ Business development and client engagement activities
4. The role requires a consistently high level of service to be provided and for work to be undertaken within professional requirements. This includes:
+ Providing/supporting appropriate quality advice (oral or written) to agreed timescales and within budget
+ Complying with peer review procedures
+ Adapting to changing client needs and balancing conflicting priorities
+ Complying with all professional actuarial (where relevant) and GAD guidance.
5. Agile working within other GAD teams from time to time during key periods.
6. To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of role-relevant developments and other matters (including meeting all CPD requirements).

Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Working Together
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Delivering at Pace

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ A Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries OR A member of the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute, holding the CFA charter and designation OR International equivalents of the above. (Desirable), As part of the application form process, please submit your CV and supporting statement. Please do not email your CV outside of this process as it will not be accepted.
Shortlisting criteria is based on the Person Specification as set out in the Assessment Criteria section of the Job Description. Please ensure you provide examples of how you meet the Assessment Criteria; a strong application will also demonstrate that you meet the required criteria that are identified as key for this role. Applications will be shortlisted in line with the essential criteria for the role. Behaviours will be assessed at interview stage. Candidates who are successful at shortlist will be contacted as soon as possible and advised of the interview process and assessment (exact times and dates will also be confirmed).
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Alongside your salary of £61,212, Government Actuary's Department contributes £17,733 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
As well as competitive salaries, we offer a substantial package of benefits:
- Extensive talent, career and personal development
- 25 days annual leave per year, increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service. In addition we offer 9 days public and privilege days leave per year (pro rata for part time staff)
- Generous defined benefit Civil Service pension scheme
- Family-friendly policies such as help with caring responsibilities, special leave, generous paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Access to employee assistance programme and occupational health
- Community volunteering programme, the opportunity to join a trade union, and discounted membership of local and national sports and social groups
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
- Salary advances for travel costs, including annual season tickets and cycle-to-work schemes
- Complimentary BUPA health check for permanent staff