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

This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of the DSIT team and our exciting mission!

At DSIT, we are leading the UK’s growth of the economy through Science, Innovation and Technology. Our varied work makes a real difference to people across the UK and internationally.

We lead on the UK’s commitments to put our public services at the forefront of innovation. We bring responsibility for the five technologies of tomorrow to spur bold new discoveries. We also encourage investment and innovation to make the UK a science superpower producing research that will improve lives.

Working in Private Office, the successful candidates will sit at the heart of the Ministerial Directorate in DSIT, working directly with Ministers and senior officials.

The successful candidate will be crucial to delivering on Ministers’ priorities and working on some of the most high-profile, important and complex challenges within the department, with the rare opportunity to be part of the new private office teams supporting the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The successful candidate will be expected to play a key role in building a strong, high-performing, and supportive culture within the wider private office directorate, as well as providing support to ensure the smooth running of the principal’s private office.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Developing a strong working relationship with the Minister, Private Office Team, and colleagues within the department and across government.
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, clearly able to communicate feedback, monitor progress, and address problems to drive forward the Minister’s priorities.
  
• The ability to work on multiple complex issues at pace and simultaneously, using careful judgement and strong organisational skills to prioritise.
  
• Personal resilience, including the ability to adapt quickly to new demands and work flexibly in order to deliver quality outcomes for Ministers under pressure.
  
• Excellent judgement and policy analysis that can be deployed flexibly across a wide range of issues, as well as the mental agility to understand a range of political priorities and assess their impact on departmental policy.
  
• The ability to manage a range of competing views and drive progress in the department and across government through exceptional relationship-building, communication and negotiation skills.
  
• Taking a leading role in corporate contributions in Private Office, supporting colleagues as we seek to build an innovative and efficient Directorate, with a strong focus on people development and well-being.

As part of Private Office, you will be responsible for managing an important portion of the principle’s portfolio, also developing a wide-ranging and in-depth knowledge of your role, as well as a close and collaborative working relationship with policy officials.

We are recruiting for 1 role:

• Private Secretary to Minister for Science, Research and Innovation

Person specification

Given the fast-paced and changing nature of private office the successful candidate will be expected to be flexible and support other team members on work outside their immediate responsibilities when required.

You will be offered support to develop in the role, including training, coaching and mentoring options. We follow good practice in line management in DSIT through regular performance management discussions and in-year reward rounds to recognise performance.

You will be an integral member of the team to ensure that all key office processes work effectively and efficiently.

We encourage people of all grades to become leaders in taking forward our corporate action plan, and to foster a positive and supportive culture.

Skills and Experience

We are looking for candidates who are keen to play an active role in a supportive and friendly team.

We are seeking candidates who can use sound judgement and understanding, recognising the political environment their principal will operate in. The roles provide an exciting opportunity to see how high-profile policies are developed and delivered, and how decisions are made at the heart of government.

We are looking for candidates who will be proactive, motivated and eager to learn with a can-do approach to problem solving. Candidates should have a good understanding of how Private Office works, and be prepared to contribute to the shaping of our team’s culture and ways of working.

We are particularly looking for candidates with strong time-management skills and who feel comfortable working with, and contributing to the development of, set processes.

The successful candidates will have strong inter-personal, written, and oral communication skills. Excellent organisation skills, capable of effectively prioritising work and delivering consistently under time pressure are essential.

Candidates should be comfortable engaging at all levels including with senior officials. Resilient in the face of a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,410, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £9,297 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 750 words) to describe how your skills and experience would meet the job description and responsibilities of this role.

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.

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 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 12/02/2024

Interview dates: 18/02/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

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

Further Information

The post is based in London but both domestic and international travel with the principal may be required.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

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 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. 

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.