About the job

Job summary

The growth and protection of emerging technology is at the centre of HMG’s agenda. Balancing opportunity with questions of national security is a complex and multi-faceted problem for the UK in respect of deep technologies such as engineering biology, robotics and autonomous systems, cyber-physical infrastructure, advanced materials and neurotechnology.

The Deputy Director for Technology Strategy and Security is responsible for leading a team of circa 30 individuals who look at all aspects of deep technology. This includes: understanding the nature of the technology; the current footprint in UK academia and industry; managing government interventions such as R&D funding; and identifying, and tackling wider barriers to growth such as the availability of funding, infrastructure, skills, raw materials and supply chains. The team also look at the potential of international collaboration and partnership as well as the risks associated with the inherent dual use of many of these technologies.  

The team is made up of three G6 branches. The first is responsible for one of the UK Government’s five priority technologies (Engineering Biology) and managing this priority within the overall Science and Technology Framework. The second is responsible for the other technology priorities for TSS listed above and, as with Engineering Biology, this team works across Whitehall to maximise the development and use cases for the techs with joint working with other Departments including the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Business and Trade, Home Office, Department for Health and Social Care and the UK Intelligence Community. The third G6 branch looks at overall Technology Strategy and Policy, identifying new technologies that should be given greater oversight by government and considering the cross-cutting themes of access to finance and skills.

TSS sit in the dynamic and diverse Technologies and Innovative Regulation Directorate (TIR), alongside colleagues working on Quantum Technologies within the Office for Quantum and those exploring more innovative solutions to regulatory challenges for new technologies. TIR sits within the highly respected Science, Innovation and Growth DG Group. 

Job description

As Deputy Director for Technology Strategy and Security, the post holder will be expected to lead the existing and define the future programme of work for the G6 teams including:

• Establishing and leading cross-government policy and strategy for each of the technologies. Creating a supportive and inclusive culture with a strong delivery ethos. Managing resources effectively, ensuring staff have clear direction on tasks and are coached and enabled to succeed. Playing a full role as part of the Senior Management Team of the Technologies and Innovative Regulation Directorate.
• Leading the implementation of the newly (Dec 2023) published UK Government’s Roadmap for Engineering Biology, with a significant amount of senior official, ministerial and cross-HMG working, engaging widely to influence and ensure buy-in. Ensure priority workstreams such as R&D, infrastructure, skills, investment, international collaboration and regulation deliver real impact.
• Developing the forward strategies for each of TSS’s technologies with a focus on the next Spending Review period(s).
• Working collaboratively with technology leads across Government, both on overall technology policy and strategy and on specific technologies where there are opportunities from convergence, such as AI. Building close relationships with the HMG national security and defence community, given the dual use nature of technologies.
• Building international partnerships on each of these technologies, working closely with other leading nations and with the FCDO and MOD on wider international frameworks, such as international tech partnerships.
• Engaging confidently with external experts, industry and investors to boost investment in these sectors.
• Lead on cross-cutting elements of deep tech policy and strategy, particularly on how to enhance the access to finance for tech companies, working closely with other teams in DSIT, HMT and DBT.
• Establish and develop a ‘tech pipeline’ function in TSS that works with teams across HMG and in GO-Science to identify emerging technologies with opportunities for the UK and leads initial policy development.

Person specification

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following essential skills and experience:

• Experience of working on emerging technologies or related area. Highly credible with businesses, researchers, investors and technology leaders, with the ability to engage confidently in both deeply technical and strategic conversations.
• Proven ability to understand and shape a large and complex agenda, to navigate the considerations of economic prosperity and security, and to communicate a vision with clarity and credibility.
• Strong leadership skills with proven experience of building an inclusive team, motivating and developing them, inspiring others and modelling behaviours. An ability evidenced to think and lead creatively and in innovative ways.
• Skilled collaborator adept at building relationships inside and outside HMG.
• Demonstrable strong commercial and financial awareness, able to work with analysts and other experts to build dynamic knowledge of the UK market, identifying trends, opportunities and threats, and using this insight to inform policy and investment decisions.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £75,000, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £20,250 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

To apply for this post please follow the instructions on the CS Jobs website by no later than 23:55 Sunday 7th January. As part of the application process you are asked to complete the following:

1.A CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role, relevant achievements in recent posts, together with reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

2.A Statement of Suitability (no more than 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference clearly linked to the essential criteria in the person specification.

3.Assessments: Staff Engagement exercise (SEE) a structured exercise which involves shortlisted candidates facilitating a discussion with a selection of staff from the Department on a given topic. These assessments will not result in a pass or fail mark, but outcome and feedback from these will reported to the panel ahead of the panel interview.

4.Final Interview

For further information on the application process and an overview on what to expect, please visit the Civil Service Careers website.

Overview of the Process

Government Recruitment Service will acknowledge your application and advise you of the outcome of the sift meeting.

Applications will be sifted to select those demonstrating the best fit with the post against the criteria set out in the person specification. Please ensure you keep this in mind when writing your CV and supporting statement.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Arrangements for interview

The final selection panel interview will be held in person at 10 Victoria Street.

Candidates are required to prepare a presentation for their interview, they will be given at least one week’s notice of the subject.

Expenses incurred by candidates during the recruitment process will not be reimbursed by the Department except in exceptional circumstances and only when agreed in advance.

Panel for Interview

Hannah Boardman – Director, Technologies and Innovative Regulation

Bob Carey – HR Business Partner for Science, Innovation and Growth group

Other panel members TBC

Indicative Timeline

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. If you are unable to meet these timeframes, please let us know by contacting scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. Please ensure you quote the job title and reference number in your email.

Interviews will be in person at 10 Victoria Street. Candidates are asked to note the timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process. The anticipated timetable is as follows:

Advert Closing Date – 23:55 Sunday 7th January

Shortlist Announcement – WC 15th January

Assessments - WC 29th January

Interviews –  Wednesday 7th February

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. 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.