Candidates will be employed for two to three days per week as senior policy advisers. The work includes researching and understanding the different perspectives, drivers and experiences of different taxpayers, in particular through evidence-gathering meetings with stakeholders outside government - including representative bodies, businesses of all sizes, tax professionals, charities and academics.

Advisers also liaise and discuss with the Treasury and HMRC policy and technical specialists, and carry out analysis of data – in particular drawing on and analysing statistics and data provided by HMRC economists. The applicants will draft and assist with editing OTS reports, and contribute to the project management of areas of work.

The OTS says applicants need experience of working, or a demonstrable capacity to work, in more than one area of tax, plus the enthusiasm to help drive out structural and administrative simplifications to the tax system, and an ability to see things from different points of view and engage with the policy-making process.

The statutory body, which is tasked with providing the Chancellor with independent advice on simplifying the UK tax system, is currently working on two reports. The first, due to be published this spring, builds on the corporation tax computation review, and will explore the impacts of replacing capital allowances with accounts depreciation. The second, which will appear in the autumn, is considering various aspects of inheritance tax.

Other work in the pipeline is looking at the tax reliefs and charges relevant at different stages in the lifecycle of a business; the taxation of personal savings; the gig economy; the impact of technological changes on tax administration; and the guidance available for taxpayers (in particular from HMRC).

The closing date for applications is 15 April.

Details of the OTS senior policy advisor role are here.

Report by Pat Sweet