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

Would you like to help DSIT strengthen the UK's relationship with the global scientific and innovation community, and promote a joined-up approach between DSIT and other government departments so we can make the most of the UK's global science and innovation opportunities? If so, then this may be the job for you!

The post-holder will be joining to support a small and friendly strategy and multilateral team sitting within the wider Global Research & Innovation Team (GRI). A big part of GRI's work is managing the global relationships at the heart of the Government's ambitions for the UK to become a collaborative science superpower. From big players such as the US and China, to smaller, agile partners like Singapore and Switzerland, GRI provides the direct and considered sponsorship these relationships need to ensure international opportunities for the UK's research sector are maximised.

The team also lead on the science, technology and innovation input into several high-profile multilateral consortia and shaping and influencing so that UK science interests are delivered and amplified with key partners. Multilateral organisations offer opportunities to bring expertise from across the world to tackle global challenges such as climate change, pandemic preparedness and how to govern emerging technologies. The team co-ordinates our input into multilateral fora on a range of fascinating issues from Arctic science to open science and from the technologies of tomorrow to how science is governed globally. This role comes at a really exciting time as we focus on Italy’s G7 and Brazil’s G20 presidencies; we are seeking to maximise the UK’s voice to demonstrate global leadership and cement our position as a global science superpower.

Outside of the relationship work there is also a need to take an overview of the UK's stance on international S&I collaboration as whole. In a nutshell: what to prioritise, with who, how, and when; and work to better position it for the future, which then feeds back into maximising opportunities in our bilateral and multilateral partnerships.

Person specification

• Manage relationships across-department, across-government, and externally to promote DSIT's global research policy interests and priorities.
• Contribute to joined-up thinking on global research policy including on the implementation of the Integrated Review and S&T Framework.
• Develop the public communications approach for domestic and international audiences, to amplify DSIT's mission.
• Support the wider team for multilateral set piece events such as G7 and G20 Ministerial meetings and working groups, maximising the impact and benefit of UK engagement in these groupings to deliver our strategic priorities.
• Build strong networks of key contacts across government particularly with policy officials, other teams involved in global engagement, our country leads and delivery partners to demonstrate UK leadership in S&T.

The post-holder will also have the opportunity to shape the role to suit their interests and development needs.

Skills and experience

You must use your personal statement to bring out as many of these skills as you can and include persuasive evidence of these skills in action in order to support your argument. You will thrive in this role if you:

• Can work collaboratively and at pace to prioritise work effectively; leading and delivering on multiple strands of work in parallel.
• Can quickly build, maintain and influence networks across Whitehall, with delivery partners, within the wider research and academic community and internationally.
• Can build consensus across Whitehall on research and innovation priorities that can be delivered through multilateral fora.
• Are passionate about promoting the benefits of global science collaboration and ideally have experience of working on international and/or science policy.
• Can undertake occasional UK and overseas travel.
• Use knowledge and networks to inform and shape the team’s strategic priorities.

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 250 words) to explain how you think your skills and experience match the requirements for this role.

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.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 22/04/2024

Interview dates: w/c 06/05/2024

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.