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

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is bringing about huge changes to society, and it is our job as a team to work out how Government should respond. It’s a once-in-a-generation moment, and an incredibly fast-paced and exciting environment.

Building on the platform created by the AI Safety Summit hosted by the UK this November, the AI Policy directorate will continue to play a leading role in providing strategic direction across Government and industry to establish the most trusted and pro-innovation system for AI governance in the world, ensure UK institutions and infrastructure have the necessary capabilities to maintain our strategic advantage, and drive forward our ambitious objectives home and abroad.

It’s also a crucial time for DSIT, which is bringing together the five technologies of tomorrow – AI, Quantum, Engineering Biology, Semiconductors, Future Telecoms under one department for the first time. Our aim is to drive innovation that delivers improved public services, create new better-paid jobs and grow the economy.

We are looking for high-performing HEOs support the delivery of key work-streams in the UK Capability deputy directorate. To be successful in any of these roles, you will need to be a strong communicator, excellent problem solver and confident delivering high-quality outcomes in a fast-paced environment. You will be expected to quickly develop a strong technical understanding of generative AI policy and build effective relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders. As an emerging policy area, you will need to be comfortable working in a dynamic policy context, remaining resilient and adaptable in support of the most urgent priorities.

We are a fun, vibrant team committed to supporting our staff’s development and well-being, as well as delivering excellent work. We are especially keen to bring in new team members who will contribute to our friendly and inclusive team culture.

We welcome applications from individuals of all personal and professional backgrounds to play a key role in one of society’s greatest changes.

Strategic Advantage

The government has identified AI as one of the critical technologies that will shape the UK’s position in an increasingly competitive work. The purpose of our team is to understand the role the UK plays in the global AI sector and develop a strategy to build strategic advantage. This is an opportunity to work in an exciting and fast-moving area. Your responsibilities in this role may include:

• Supporting the development of a strategy to build UK strategic advantage in AI;

• Supporting the design and implementation of specific interventions to support the UK’s AI capability;

• Working with policy teams across the AI Policy Directorate, DSIT and Other Government Departments to shape policy development in areas of strategic significance ahead of upcoming fiscal events;

• Key areas of focus may include compute, Research & Development, skills and intellectual property;

• The roles will include significant stakeholder engagement across industry, other government departments and the research landscape.

Compute Policy

Access to advanced computing power (‘compute’) is a critical enabler to growth in the AI sector, and progress in the science research community more broadly. With £1.5 billion committed to developing the next generation of compute infrastructure, this is an exciting time to join a friendly and dynamic team at the forefront of the Government’s science and technology ambitions.

The role holder will have the opportunity to support a number of fast-paced and high-profile policy programmes, which could include:

• Working with UK Research and Innovation on the delivery of large scale public compute programmes , ensuring that UK researchers and businesses have the computing power and resources they need to leverage the power of AI;

• Supporting the development of business cases and wider engagement with HM Treasury;

• Engaging with the science and research community, and AI industry to monitor and understand use cases and demand for compute across a range of technology sectors in the UK;

• Developing policy proposals to ensure the future sustainability of compute provision in the UK, including consideration of environmental implications and R&D into the next generation of computing technologies;

• Supporting Ministers and Senior Officials, including through contributing to briefings and supporting the delivery of high-profile engagements and events.

This role will provide significant opportunity for engagement with stakeholders across Government, industry, academia and internationally.

AI investment

The new AI investment team will be responsible for leading a strategic review of the UK’s AI investment proposition, working closely with the international and security teams to achieve a step change in foreign investments. It will also manage the UK’s government’s approach to AI investments. This is a new and exciting team and there will be an opportunity to shape the role to the successful candidate. The HEO will:

• Review the UK’s AI investment playbook and make recommendations on how to update it;

• Work closely with our international team, FCDO, and the Office for Investment to identify the most promising international partnerships; 

• Review AI investment cases from both a comparative advantage and security point of view, working closely with the investment security unit.

Person specification

Skills and Experience 

The following skills and experience would be particularly helpful to succeed in this role, but we encourage applicants to consider applying even if they do not feel that they meet all of the requirements.

• Pragmatic approach to problem solving, especially for new and emerging issues where little is known.

• Ability to weigh up a broad range of evidence, information and data to support decision making by senior leaders.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, articulating complex issues clearly and concisely to a range of audiences to gain necessary agreement.

• A proven track record of delivering high-quality outcomes rapidly and managing competing priorities effectively.

• Resilient and motivated, and able to inspire those around you.

• An understanding or interest in AI and wider technology policy.

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, personal statement and behavioural statements.

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 describe how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role.

Please note - the CV incorporated into the application form is for information purposes only and will not be scored.

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements 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 behaviours and strength based questions.

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 22/04/2024

Interview dates: 29/04/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

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 /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.