About the job

Job summary

Our priorities

Optimise public R&D investment to support areas of relative UK strength and increase the level of private R&D to make our economy the most innovative in the world.

Promote a diverse research and innovation system that connects discovery to new companies, growth and jobs – including by delivering world-class physical and digital infrastructure (such as gigabit broadband), making the UK the best place to start and grow a technology business and developing and attracting top talent.

Put public services – including the NHS and schools – at the forefront of innovation, championing new ways of working and the development of in-house STEM capability to improve outcomes for people.

Strengthen international collaboration on science and technology in line with the Integrated Review, and ensure our researchers are able to continue to work with leading scientists in Europe and around the world.

Deliver legislative and regulatory reforms to drive competition and promote innovation, including the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill and our pro-innovation approach to regulating AI.

Our Inclusive Environment

We have an inclusive culture which makes the Department a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it helps us be more innovative.

We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.

We welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion and fully support candidates with a disability or long-term condition who require adjustments in our recruitment process. 

We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/departmentforsciencetechnologyandinnovation?

You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/  

Job description

We have two exciting policy roles available in the Broadband, Regulation and Investment team (BRIT), where we seek to drive and support policy work that delivers better broadband and mobile coverage across the UK, playing a leading role across government to bring forward policy, legislation and programmes to ensure digital connectivity is future-proofed.

Both roles are at SEO (Senior Executive Officer) level.

Role 1: Rural Connectivity Senior Policy Advisor, within the digital infrastructure investment sub-team:

• The team is multi-functional, working to define policy, support ministers and establish technology pilots across the UK.
• This role involves working closely with the Head of Rural Connectivity (G7) and Policy Advisor (HEO), to support the delivery of an impactful programme to connect very hard to reach premises, define new policies, review and improve the broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) and monitor the delivery of rural connectivity.
  

Role 2: Broadband Policy and Strategy Senior Advisor, within the broadband strategy and regulation sub-team:

• The team holds responsibility for strategic telecoms policy and regulation.
• The role involves working closely with the Head of Broadband Strategy (G7). You will contribute to policy and strategy development to increase full-fibre take-up rates across the UK, take part in analysis and monitoring of the telecoms market, support work on cross-cutting economic regulation. The role is varied and requires you to operate with agility. You will have exposure to senior leaders from FTSE 100 companies such as BT, start-ups, trade bodies, and widely recognised telecoms investors.

For both roles:

• Providing strategic direction and information for ministerial briefings and submissions.
• Drafting and handling complex responses to constituent and MP enquiries on connectivity and broadband issues.
• Commissioning and processing information from analytical requests with DSIT analysts.
• Supporting the wider team as required.

For role 1: Rural Connectivity Senior Policy Advisor:

• Supporting the development and delivery of 'very hard to reach' premise programmes and projects.
• Responding to the broadband USO (universal service obligation) consultation and defining associated policy.
• Building strong partnerships with Devolved Administrations, Defra, DLUHC, BDUK, Ofcom, industry partners and rural stakeholders.

For role 2: Broadband Policy and Strategy Senior Advisor:

• Monitoring and analysing the telecoms market – to proactively identify risks (e.g. ad-hoc Mergers and Acquisitions; monopolistic competition) that could impact the delivery of the government’s targets and determine ways to manage those risks.
• Developing telecoms policy expertise – understanding the policy and political landscape surrounding telecoms, deepening expertise in specific policy areas, shaping and influencing telecoms policy to ensure government’s targets are met.
• Building and maintaining positive relationships - with a range of government and external stakeholders. This includes big telecom players, investors, BDUK, Ofcom, HMT and DBT.

The BRIT team is an excellent place to work, made up of friendly individuals, where individuals' skills and expertise are genuinely valued. We welcome applications from candidates from any background.

Person specification

Skills and experience

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• Policy development experience, leading, supporting and delivering policy work to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly in briefing ministers and senior stakeholders.
• Experience building relationships with stakeholders, particularly with devolved administrations, government departments and executive agencies.
• Analytical skills, as we value an evidence-based approach to understanding telecoms market and shaping policy solutions.

You should have an interest in technology and a willingness to learn. An understanding of telecoms and broadband technology is helpful but not essential.

All candidates will be assessed for both roles with successful candidates being matched to the role which best fits their skill-set.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,860, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £10,492 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and a number of behavioural statements. 

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to explain what makes you a good fit for the role with regards to the essential Skills and experience listed in the job description.

Candidates will be sifted on behavioural statements, CV, and personal statement.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behavioural statement (Making Effective Decisions).

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The interview will consist of behaviour-based questions.

Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 25/03/2024

Interview dates: w/c 08/04/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Further Information

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.

We fully support adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.

We do not have an exhaustive list of adjustments that we support but just some examples include additional time to complete your application form, behaviour questions up to 72 hours prior to interview and having extra time at interview.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

A location based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home). 

DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.

DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service and Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback

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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.