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

The UK is a world leader in cyber security policy and strives to be the safest place to live and work online, and a democratic, responsible cyber power. DSIT is working with other government departments, industry, academia and others to implement the National Cyber Strategy. We lead on the technology and ecosystem pillars of the strategy as well lead a significant part of the delivery in the resilience pillar. Our work leading the technology pillar of the National Cyber Strategy focuses on ensuring technology is designed to protect UK consumers and national security, by embedding security within critical tech. This ‘Secure by Design’ approach includes consumer connected (“smart”) devices, secure connected places (“smart cities”) technology, software, apps/app stores, and AI technology. Recent achievements include:

• Delivery of the world first App Store Privacy and Security Code of Practice, being implemented by all 13 major app store operators.
  
• Creating mandatory and enforceable minimum-security standards for consumer technology through the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022.
  
• International agreement to security principles for frontier AI.                                
  

This role offers a highly-motivated individual the opportunity to lead a team at the forefront of Government’s agenda to keep the UK secure from cyber threats and grow the UK’s digital economy.  With a team of approximately 13 staff in Secure Technologies, you will be responsible for an ambitious strand of work aimed at identifying critical and emerging technologies that have an impact on Cyber Security, and developing and delivering policy to reduce cyber risks that these pose.         

This is a demanding and rewarding role that offers excellent development opportunities. You can expect an exciting, fast-paced and varied workload. You will need exceptionally strong influencing abilities to lead an ambitious programme of innovative and world leading cyber initiatives and policy development. You will be expected to lead the team to work effectively and collaboratively across Whitehall, and with a broad range of industry and stakeholders. The job requires excellent team leadership skills, flexibility and openness to change in a cutting edge agenda, excellent drafting skills, the ability to present your work in public and experience of working across departments and with external stakeholders.

You will have a confident understanding of the regulatory and policy landscape for security standards and practices for digital technologies, be aware of emergency technology trends, and understand how reducing inherent cyber risks fits in with the broader Government ambitions of the UK being a world leader in Cyber Security.

The Head of the Securing Emerging and Critical Technologies Team is a stretching role, and the successful candidate will be part of the Directorate’s senior management team, deputising for the Deputy Director and Director as needed.

Person specification

• Leadership of the UK’s Secure Technology policy, as part of the UK’s National Cyber Strategy including public advocacy, external and internal stakeholder engagement;
  
• Leadership of the team identifying critical and emerging technologies, and developing policy of cyber security of these;
  
• Regular reporting on progress and direction of travel through publication of external facing reviews and reports,
  
• Reviewing whether the current regulatory framework is fit for purpose and identifying where Government needs to go further across advice, guidance, standards and regulation.
  
• Delivery of approved funding as part of the National Cyber Security Programme (NCSP): including reporting on progress and spend to Cabinet Office; oversight of spend delivered through partners,; and collaboration and influencing of spend across aligned NCSP objectives within other Whitehall departments. 
  
• Management of a large team including direct line management of 13 staff and the relevant budget for delivering the required activities.

Skills and experience

Essential Requirements

• Making effective, strategic decisions - drawing on evidence and analysis to weigh up decisions and make recommendations to seniors and Ministers. Present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of complex and sometimes incomplete evidence.
  
• Working with others - ability to work with others across Whitehall, with lawyers and analysts, with external stakeholders, building strong relationships. Remain available and approachable to all colleagues and be receptive to new ideas.
  
• Leadership - Seek out shared interests beyond your own area of responsibility, understanding the extent of the impact actions have on the organisation. Inspire and motivate teams to be fully engaged in their work and dedicated to their roles.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of the policy and standards landscape related to secure technologies, and applicability of relevant government levers.
  
• Knowledge of the emerging technology landscape and cyber threats

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £64,660, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £17,458 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 and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Applications will be sifted on CV and Personal Statement.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement.

The interview will consist of behaviour and strength based questions.

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

A reserve list of candidates may be kept for up to 12 months.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline (subject to change)

Sift dates: w/c 11/03/2024
Interview dates: w/c 18/03/2024

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 /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. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (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

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.