About the job

Job summary

Background: The UK Space Agency

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and provides technical advice on the government’s space strategy, supporting the UK space sector to deliver the government’s vision. 

Space is a part of everyday life. Satellites underpin our national economy, from agriculture and banking to aviation and shipping, and support our national security. Space science provides critical data to understand and address global challenges such as climate change, while missions to explore our solar system unite nations and advance humanity’s horizons. 

We support a thriving space sector in the UK, which generates an annual income of £16.5 billion and employs 47,000 people across the country. 

Through our portfolio of programmes and projects, we encourage the development of national space capabilities and are an early-stage investor in space research and development.  We also promote the UK space sector’s interests and achievements; make connections to join up industry and academia; and represent the UK in international space programmes. 

We have a powerful global voice, partnering with institutions across the world, including the European Space Agency. 

More information about the Agency is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency 

To discover more please watch this film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZZ-o0IkVU

Our Inclusive Environment

We have an inclusive culture to make UK Space Agency a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice 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 will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.

We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.

We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion.

Job description

You will be responsible for managing and overseeing the successful delivery of the Launch Programme’s Inspire Education Strategy with a view to attract new talent into the UK space sector and ensure the delivery of a commercially sustainable launch market in the UK.

This will include leading on overseeing and project managing a range of targeted interventions to support Phase 2 of the Launch programme as well as supporting the ongoing deliver of existing Launch education initiatives to ensure we reach a diverse spectrum of young people across the full education age-range.

This will include leading the delivery of the new Rocketry, Research, Training and Teaching (R2T2) PhD programme, Rocketry Competition Fund, ongoing project management of the Nanosat competition as well as supporting existing skills initiatives within the sector such as the Launch Programme’s contribution to the SPINtern apprenticeship programme.

You will also lead on designing and implanting communications and stakeholder engagement activity to support the above, as well as leveraging existing initiatives from across the sector.

This role will report to the Launch Programme Head of Communications, Engagement and Outreach, also working closely with the Launch Programme Phase 2 team lead.

Key responsibilities

Be responsible for managing and overseeing the effective delivery of the Launch Programme Inspire Education Strategy

• Regularly review and update the strategy to ensure it is fit for purpose and activity is delivering against the objectives outlined;
• Oversee and project manage the activity outlined in the Strategy, ensuring it is delivered according to planned timelines and budgets.
• Lead on development of new education initiatives linked to the first vertical launches from Scotland, to engage and inspire young people about space and encourage the update of STEAM subjects. To include seeking approval from senior stakeholders, drafting business cases etc.

Lead the delivery of the R2T2 programme in a timely manner including:

• Support the academic sector to develop rocketry PhDs as part of the R2T2 Hub, collaborating with the Science and Technology Funding Council (STFC) as the delivery partner;
• Collaborate with the UK Space Agency Commercial team to develop the grant call documents for subsequent cohorts and run the grant call process in partnership with STFC.
• Manage engagement with stakeholders, academia and industry to establish the R2T2 initiative and support its ongoing delivery;
• Work with the Head of Launch Communications and UK Space Agency Central Communication team to identify relevant communications opportunities and develop appropriate content.

Lead on the ongoing development of a Rocketry Competition Fund to support the development of and participation of UK students in new or existing rocketry competitions:

• Oversee and manage Grant Call process to identify a suitable delivery partner to manage young peoples’ attendance in national and international rocketry competitions.
• Oversee and manage the Grant Call process to identify organisations developing new or existing rocketry competitions, liaising with industry, academia and relevant stakeholders as relevant;
• Oversee evaluation process to ensure Grant Call applications meet agreed criteria and objectives;
• Lead and manage communications with stakeholders and keep them updated in a timely manner;
• Lead engagement with UK Space Agency Commercial and Financial teams to ensure relevant processes are adhered to and project delivers against agreed timelines;

Ongoing management of Nanosat project to support team to build a launch-ready nanosat suitable for launch from the UK

• Oversee the project manage the initiative, ensuring it meets the agreed budget, timelines and KPIs.
• Lead stakeholder engagement for the project, working with internal and external stakeholders to secure the necessary support and share information in a timely manner and stakeholders are informed and engaged;
• Oversee and lead meetings with Nanosat team and project partners to progress ongoing build of Nanosat and ensure this delivers to agreed timelines and objectives;
• Lead engagement with UK Space Agency Commercial and Financial teams to ensure relevant processes are adhered to and project delivers against agreed timelines;
• Work with the Head of Launch Communications and UK Space Agency Central Communication team to identify relevant communications opportunities and develop appropriate content.

Oversee and manage the Spaceflight Programme’s contribution to the SPINtern apprenticeship scheme to include:

• Manage engagement with academia and the space sector to set the basis and successfully deliver the Competition Fund
• Improve the availability of rocketry skills and practical experience necessary in the space sector.
• Identify relevant communications opportunities and develop appropriate content.

The above mentioned tasks and responsibilities are neither inclusive nor exhaustive. The post holder may be called upon to carry out such other appropriate duties as may be required within the grading level of the post and the competence of the post holder.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Excellent project management skills and ability to identify and deliver innovative solutions in order to deliver policy goals;
• Ability to negotiate costs effectively and closely monitor budgets;
• Confident communicator and able to articulate complex ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing with an eye for detail;
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to balance multiple and often competing priorities on time and to a high standard;
• Experience of handling complex internal and external stakeholder relationships to achieve agreed outcomes;
• Basic IT experience including Excel.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of using software packages as Eventbrite and Adobe;
• Knowledge/prior experience of education initiatives and working with academia and education specialists.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,860, UK Space Agency contributes £10,492 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.

UK Space Agency is undergoing a transformation programme which may impact your role, line manager and/or location in the future.  We will share more details with you as they become known.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and behaviour examples. 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 outline how your skills and experience meet the criteria set out in the person specification for this role.

The CV is for information purposes only and will not be scored.

The Sift will be assessed on Personal Statement and Behaviours.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The Interview will be assessed on Behaviours.

Sift and interview dates

Sift dates: w/c 29th January 2024

Interview dates: w/c 19th and 26th February 2024

Interview location:  MS Teams.

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

Further information

This post is advertised as a Fixed Term contract for a period up to 31st March 2025.

 Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Civil Servants:

Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

UK Space Agency Employees:

You must seek approval from your substantive manager before applying for any non-permanent vacancy, this includes applying for a new post during an existing temporary posting.  Please note that if applying for a temporary post within UK Space Agency or elsewhere on promotion, successful appointment will not automatically result in a permanent promotion - you will revert to your current substantive grade at the end of the Fixed Term or Loan period (unless funding has been approved to make the post permanent).

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.  

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via uksarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk  as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

• Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

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 maybe carried out.

Any move to UK Space Agency 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/

A reserve list will be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance 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-Employment.Checks@cabinetoffice.gov.uk  stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

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.