Page 1 of 2

Job Description

Job titlePensions Technical and Policy Specialist

Reports toSenior Pensions Technical and Policy Specialist

Staff responsibilitiesNone

Overall Purpose of the role:

Your main role will be to identify and research pensions legislation and other new developments in the area of pensions and retirement policy to support TPAS’ technical expertise. You will be required to maintain an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of social security and pensions tax legislation and developments across the pensions industry. You will be updating the technical content that TPAS relies on including the website and other publications produced by TPAS. You will also represent TPAS at policy and other external meetings

Key responsibilities:

As a Pensions Technical and Policy Specialist, you will be expected to research, identify and undertake analysis of changes to pensions legislation, industry guidance and other pensions and retirement planning developments.

You will be responsible for updating the technical accuracy of TPAS content and information products across all channels including booklets and the technical accuracy of the website. You will keep up to date with current research and research and produce new technical material and products that ensure our volunteers, our external professional audience and colleagues have the most up to date information on pensions issues.

With the Senior Technical and Policy specialist you will ensure TPAS maintains its influence and contributes to evidence based policy-making with our key stakeholders. You will attend and report back on conferences, meetings and events; and extend our network of contacts.

With the Senior Technical and Policy specialist you will maintain the training timetable, feed into the training strategy, identify and arrange speakers and organise the relevant events.

The following are the main duties:

  1. Identify, research and analyse draft and final pensions and retirement legislation, determine the impact and convey in plain English what this means for TPAS clients to a variety of audiences and across all channels.
  2. Identify and maintain an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of other new industry developments including research.
  3. Produce briefing notes for staff and volunteers on new legislation and other industry developments.
  4. With the Senior Technical and Policy specialist you will ensure TPAS’ technical materials are maintained, up-to-date, relevant and accurate, where appropriate drafting new material for use.
  5. Research and analyse our helpline and dispute team queries and other relevant sources of data producing clear outputs for use by a variety of audiences.
  6. Identify new Government and other consultations and where appropriate, work with the Senior Technical and Policy specialist to co-ordinate and draft the response to such consultations. Monitor responses by other industry groups and the outcome of the consultation, update the website and prepare staff briefing material as appropriate.
  7. Contribute to evidence based policy-making.
  8. Attend and report back on conferences, meetings and events; and extend our network of contacts

Person Specification

Experience, Knowledge and Qualifications:

  1. APMI or equivalent is highly desirable;
  1. Significant and broad pensions technical experience;
  1. Up-to-date knowledge of social security and pensions tax legislation and industry guidance, including material published by the Pensions Regulator and FCA;
  1. Proven record of producing clear written technical communications;
  1. Experience of analysis of social security and pensions tax legislation;
  1. Knowledge of state pensions is preferable but not mandatory; training can be given if required;
  1. A commitment to on-going personal and professional development;
  1. An ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data; and
  1. Demonstrable interest, knowledge and/or experience in policy development and the political process.

Skills and Personal Qualities:

  1. Excellent written English and spoken communication skills with a good eye for detail;
  1. Ability to translate complex ideas and topics into clear English;
  1. Good organisational skills and the ability to manage a number of different areas of work at the same time; and
  1. Able to work as part of a team.