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

Data is the lifeblood of our digital economy and society. Generation and use of data drives innovation, supports trade, improves public safety and bolsters national
security capabilities. At the same time we need to ensure that there is trust and confidence in its use and that citizens understand and are able to properly respond to the transformations in data use driven by globalisation the and rapid technological change.

The Data Policy Directorate sits in the Digital, Technology and Telecoms Group but our work is relevant for the whole department. Our goal is to build a world leading data economy in the UK, unlocking the power of data across government, the wider economy and society, while maintaining public trust and confidence in its use. Through this, our work underpins the DSIT mission to boost UK science, technology and innovation and to improve lives here in the UK, while our collaboration with international partners helps to ensure the safe and trusted flow of data for trade and security cooperation and to address global challenges.
We are offering 1 role in the Data Bridge Assessment Team and 2 roles in the Data Access Policy Team.

Person specification

Data Bridge Assessments Team

- 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. 

Data Access Policy Team

Support work in identifying and influencing major economic policy debates relating to data policy, to ensure that data sharing and future data markets are at the heart of decisions. 

Develop a range of government data policy positions, including market interventions, as appropriate, to improve data sharing across the economy and supported by appropriate market frameworks (regulatory, competition etc.) into the long-term. 

Work internally and externally to DSIT across government to influence in these areas, for example on collaborative policy pilots, pursuing opportunities from public data sharing or developing business cases for intervention activity or future funding. 

Work externally with business, think tanks and academia in helping to identify opportunities for persuasive data market economy policy ideas and reasoning, for example in opening up private data, considering policy levers to incentivise and enable this.

Skills and Experience 

Data Bridge Assessments Role

Contributing to a culture of openness, respect, fair treatment, and inclusion. 

Working closely with teams across government and internationally to support the development and delivery of data bridge assessments.

Support rigorous and legally sound assessments of data protection arrangements in other countries to provide balanced and legally sound advice to the DCMS Secretary of State on ITR.

Supporting the swift delivery of appropriate governance, project and contract management involving stakeholders, legal advisers (internal and external), other government departments, the ICO and data protection authorities abroad on all issues.

Desirable:

Experience of working with international partners.

Experience of analysing and communicating complex technical and legal concepts.

Data Access Policy Role

Essential:

Experience in developing complex innovation and/or economic policy. 

Experience of evidence-based policy making, considering sometimes ambiguous economic and social dynamics and using a range of quantitative and qualitative sources of information.

Taking a flexible, proactive stance to policy development while able to prioritise different potential opportunities. 

Comfortable working across departmental boundaries, beyond DSIT and Whitehall, as well as externally to government, particularly with businesses. 

Desirable:

Familiar with data policy and economic/market framework policy and activity focused towards major fiscal events/spending reviews.

Working with specialists such as lawyers and analysts. 

Experience of influencing internationally.

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 behavioural statements. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements and CV.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behaviour 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 and strength based questions.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 29/4/24

Interview dates: w/c 13/5/24

Interview Location: MS Teams.

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

Further Information

Vetting

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

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.