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

The International Data Flows team within the Data Policy Directorate leads on policy development, engagement with international partners, and implementing UK policies to facilitate the transfer of data overseas (subject to appropriate safeguards). This work supports trade, research, and wider international cooperation objectives. These roles are at the heart of the UK Government’s ambition for the UK to be a global leader on data. Global data flows underpin every sector of the economy, as well as enabling cross-border sharing of law enforcement and national security data. Data flows are therefore vital for a modern economy and international trade, as well as keeping people safe.

The team are recruiting for four roles:

Bilateral Engagement Policy Advisor: responsible for establishing relationships with priority partners in order to influence our international approach on data policy and shape associated work-streams. This will involve building out our international objectives on data policy, establishing relationships with priority partners and seeking Ministerial and cross-Whitehall buy-in to promote our approach in international fora. There will likely be some required international travel.

Data Bridges Policy Advisor: lead on delivering new UK data bridge agreements, managing existing adequacy arrangements, and encouraging global data flows.

Business Engagement Policy Adviser: supporting the team's engagement with industry and academia to deliver our data flow priorities. They will develop strong relationships with external stakeholders (e.g. business/academia/civil society) and monitor outputs from industry and other stakeholders in order to develop UK policy (including through producing short discussion papers, hosting workshops etc.) in response to emerging trends/initiatives.

Trusted Data Flows Policy Adviser: the potholder will support the promotion of the ‘Trusted Government Access to Data held by Private Sector Entities’ principles to business. This includes but is not limited to arranging events for business stakeholder partners, input into multilateral fora and managing/building stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities include:

Bilateral Engagement Policy Adviser

• Support bilateral relationships with priority partners in order to influence our international approach on data policy.
• Coordinate international engagement across the Directorate, working with teams to track and prioritise engagement opportunities.
• Develop data portions of wider digital/tech partnerships as they are negotiated with priority countries.
• Engage on data issues with international stakeholders, both virtually and through occasional foreign travel.
• Oversee a package of work to gather, maintain and update various engagement coordination products.
• Maintain and develop effective working relationships with relevant other government departments and with officials responsible for data issues at key embassies.

Data Bridges Policy Adviser

• Synthesising research papers and analyses into a coherent set of decision points for Ministerial consideration.
• Working with lawyers and the policy team to test areas of contention within assessments.
• Commissioning external advice to test key points of concern and ensure robustness of decision-making.
• Assessing information communicated from officials in partner countries, juxtaposing against legal and policy intentions to strike data bridges and considering long term viability.
• Using the lessons and experience gained from the above workstreams to contribute to long term institutional policy learning by drafting position papers, engaging with stakeholders, and holding challenge sessions on topics of high importance to data bridge assessments.
• Working with the wider team to consider additional topics and apply a rigorous policy mindset to the issues raised in relation to data bridges and the gatekeeping process for prioritising countries.

Business Engagement Policy Adviser

• Developing strong relationships with external business/academia/civil society stakeholders on data flows, including (but not limited to) those sitting on the Expert Council.
• Monitor outputs from industry and other stakeholders - summarising key reports, flagging areas of interest, and sharing relevant outputs with the wider team
• Develop UK policy (including through producing short discussion papers/hosting workshops etc) in response to emerging trends/initiatives as required - working closely with legal and analytical colleagues, and advising seniors on next steps.
• Provide secretariat support for the Expert Council - preparing agendas/plans and coordinating regular meetings for the group, and providing administrative support for the recruitment and selection process for cohort 2.

Trusted Data Flows Policy Adviser

• Contribute to the sub-team’s bi-monthly strategy meetings and the weekly programme management (Trello), as well as the team’s weekly update to seniors.
• Lead on individual packages of work related to promoting the Trusted Government Access to Data held by Private Sector Entities (TGA) principles to industry.
• Planning and operationalising events for UK businesses in relation to the TGA principles.
• Liaise with other teams across the unit and the wider directorate to support their work packages and ensure their workstreams interests are represented.
• Undertake analysis on data flows future policy and lead on work related to the future policy.
• Occasionally task/delegate to the Band C role within the sub-team/other members of the team with the support of the Grade 7. 
• Support the wider work of the sub-team, for example, in large event planning, other TGA workstreams and trade work where appropriate.
• Promote their work at Unit events for example through Lunch & Learns, Stand-ups, etc.
• Mentor new members of the team and support them to find training opportunities.

Person specification

Skills and experience

We would love to hear from you if you have the following skills and experience:

Essential requirements:

• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with a range of senior stakeholders across government and internationally to support data policy development and delivery.
• Experience of collating a range of complex information and forming credible and effective recommendations.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Project manage across a broad portfolio and manage competing priorities at pace to develop evidenced advice.
• Contributing to a culture of openness, respect, fair treatment, and inclusion.

Desirable requirements:

• Familiarity with international data policy would be an asset but is not an essential requirement.
• Experience of influencing policy development/delivery internationally and working with international partners.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,745, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £8,571 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.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to provide a statement describing your motivation to work on data policy and suitability for the roles with reference to the skills and experience outlined.

Applications will be sifted on CV and personal statement.

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

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

The interview will consist of behaviours 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 01/04/2024

Interview dates: w/c 14/04/2024

Interview Location: Remote.

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

Further Information

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

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. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist 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.