About the job

Job summary

The Government Office for Science works at the heart of Government, ensuring policies and decisions are informed by the best scientific evidence and strategic long-term thinking. It's an exciting time to join the organisation; we have outstanding and high-profile positions providing you an opportunity to inform and influence policy-making and the systems for use of science and engineering across government. If you are highly motivated and looking for your next career challenge we want to hear from you.

Our mission is:

1. Science advice mechanisms that are efficient, effective, speak truth to power and are embedded irreversibly in Government systems.

2. Visible impact through both pro-active and demand-led science advice that is relevant, excellent, and delivered fit for purpose.

Our values are:

Collaboration – We draw on the experience, skills and knowledge of individuals and partners to reach goals.

Kindness – We are always inclusive, respectful, and compassionate.  We look out for one another on work related and non-work-related matters where appropriate.

Openness – We are curious and always open-minded to new ideas, ways of working and points of view, irrelevant of how unconventional they might seem or who suggests them.

Integrity – We commit to upholding the civil service value of integrity by remaining moral, honest, and transparent.  We always strive to do the right thing.

Further information can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-office-for-science

We strongly believe diversity of experience, thought, perspectives, skills, and background makes us a more innovative, welcoming Department, thus making better decisions and better delivering our objectives.  We are actively seeking applications from every part of the community and particularly welcome applications from candidates of any age, background, disability, or from an ethnic minority background and any other protected characteristics.  This will help us move to a workforce that reflects the people we serve to deliver better policies.

We are a friendly, inclusive team and emphasise personal development. We will ensure individuals with disabilities are provided adjustments to participate in the job application and interview process. We support your well-being by putting flexible working at the heart of our offer.; if successful, you will be able to discuss working arrangements with your new manager.

We maintain an internal surge capability of staff who may be called at short notice to support an activation of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). Training and support will be provided. This is an excellent opportunity to develop crisis management skills.

Please note that we 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 Government Science and Engineering Profession is a diverse cross-government group of people who are connected to science and engineering either by their role, skillsets or interests. Our members work across government as civil, crown or public servants, either in the UK or abroad.

This is a great opportunity where you could have real impact in developing a cross government reward framework for government scientists and engineers to ensure we attract, retain and develop the very best to a range of exciting roles across government.  Whilst this role is looking to introduce a reward framework, we are looking for someone with strong stakeholder engagement skill, strategy experience and someone with the ability to use data to develop a cross government reward business case for HMT approval. 

You will join a friendly diverse team which has been shortlisted for a number of departmental and cross government awards.  We are ourselves are keen on learning and development and offer many opportunities to grow new skills. 

The Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Profession team coordinates the people capability needs for science across the Civil Service through its published GSE Profession Strategy published in 2021 and supports Dame Angela McClean in her role as Government Head of Profession.

We represent scientists of all fields and applications, as well as engineers. We have a rich and broad remit and are excited about our ambitions!   Making the case for science as a critical element of government policy and operational decision-making to a diverse group of professionals requires a strategic thinker who has the ability to create an inclusive and collaborate approach to deliver our people priorities.

Person specification

You will be responsible for taking forward designing and building a flexible and integrated reward approach for the Government Science and Engineering Profession, which is currently being designed.  This will involve engaging and influencing senior stakeholders across government, including departmental heads of science and engineering profession, CSHR, Trade Unions and HMT.  The postholder can be based at any of DSIT’s places of growth location but travel to London and other locations were team members are based may be required.

Your objectives will be to:

• Continue the progress with delivering a strategic business case for HMT setting out an approach for science and engineering roles that require pay flexibility. 

• Produce reward briefings and papers, including narrative and alignment with organisational strategy for senior stakeholders.  This will also include Board presentations.

• Provide innovative solutions that supports the profession’s and government’s objective to increase science capability in government.

• Ensure timely compliance on reporting requirements to Cabinet Office and HM Treasury.

• Provide leadership through matrix management of a data analyst who will support this project.

• Procure external bench-marking data required for this project.

• Design and deliver an operational process to manage the agreed framework.

• Projects related to GSE reward and including projects related to GSE critical skills.

Skills and Experience 

• The ability to grasp the strategic picture convert this into clear approach through active stakeholder engagement.

• Proven ability to influence and collaborate, forming effective relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to deliver great outcomes.

• Experience of working across complex systems and organisations with the ability to be collegiate with senior stakeholders and help shape and drive the further development of the reward landscape

• Strong judgement and analytical skills, able to handle and communicate complex data and issues in a simple and effective way to drive policy change and engage effectively with expert communities.

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.  Experience of delivering complex information into a comprehensive document through appropriate engagement and collaboration with key stakeholders.

• Strong analytical and numerical skills: ability to strategically analyse and evaluate data and provide leadership to maintain quality if data analysis to inform decision making.

• Ability to problem solve and make strong evidence-based decisions.

• Excellent project management skills.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £50,305, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £13,582 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 750 words) to explain why you have applied for this role, what you can offer and what will it offer you

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 (Seeing the Big Picture).

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 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 29/01/2024

Interview dates: w/c 19/02/2024

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. 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.