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/  

Please note that DSIT are currently reviewing our terms and conditions and pay arrangements following Machinery of Government changes and as part of the outstanding August 2023 pay award.  Please be aware that there may be changes to the terms and conditions and pay ranges listed in this advert ahead of you starting in post. Any changes would be implemented in early 2024.

Job description

This Government sees data, and the use of data to drive growth, as one of its key priorities. In 2020 we published the National Data Strategy (NDS) that sets out our vision for data, and a series of actions and commitments to deliver that vision.

The data policy analysis team carries out a mix of research, regulatory analysis and M&E work, and is currently staffed by a mix of economists, operational, and social researchers.

This role sits at the heart of the NDS delivering Mission 1, which involves improving data access, availability and use in the economy. We want data to be where it is needed, at the right time, in the right quality, for both businesses and the third sector.

Building on the work done to date, this role will focus on developing a clear economic rationale for further government intervention to unlock the value of data held across the economy.

Analysts completing the L7 Economic apprenticeship who otherwise meet the criteria of the job specification are welcome to apply.

Person specification

• Lead a small team of 1-2 analysts to produce timely, impactful and succinct analysis.
• Identifying and addressing evidence gaps to help develop the wider analytical team's existing evidence base.
• Assessing market failures, justifying the case for government intervention and highlighting the economic trade-offs involved in decision making.
• Developing new methodologies to identify and assess how to value datasets.
• Collaborating with data policy teams to prepare rigorous, robust and compelling business cases and Spending Review bids. Producing thorough evaluation plans for pilots.
• Champion the role of monitoring and evaluation and using it to help shape future research but also directorate decisions relating to resource management.
• Design evaluation plans for existing intervention pilots with an aim to enrich future spending bids.
• Lead close engagement with policy colleagues to ensure analysis is at the heart of policy development.
• Represent the department across Whitehall on analysis of international/digital issues.
• Using your technical and analytical expertise to advise, analyse, commission and present evidence to drive data policy and strategy.
• Applying strategic thinking, intellectual curiosity and ability to make judgement on high profile complex policy issues.
• Quick turnaround requests for information, drawing on existing work and modelling.
• Working closely with HM Treasury and other key departments in the development of proposals.

Skills and experience

Essential requirements:

• Strong analytical experience, producing novel research and choosing the right methods.
• Application of Knowledge: Proven aptitude in applied economics and the ability to translate economic analysis into practical real-world solutions.
• Communicating and influencing: Track record of ensuring analysis can effectively be communicated and influence decision making.
• Developing Business Cases: Experience developing business cases in line with HMT 'Green Book' guidance. Experience of Public Sector Spending Processes.

Desirable skills:

• Working together: Proven ability to lead high performing, inclusive, creative and collaborative project teams to deliver strong outcomes across a range of work streams and areas.
• Seeing the big picture: Understand how your role fits within and supports political priorities and wider organisational objectives.
• Knowledge of the digital and data economy and the current issues in this area.
• 2:1 degree in a relevant quantitative subject. Former experience in the civil service and inputting into policy design, developing SMART policy options.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £52,320, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £14,126 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, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV behavioural statements and any technical skills. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements, CV and any technical skills required.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead technical skill Application of Knowledge.

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, technical and strength-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 18/03/24

Interview dates: w/c 25/03/23

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 /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.