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

The Security and Online Harms Directorate takes a leading role in tackling a diverse range of online harms. The group leads work to implement the recent Online Safety Act; counter disinformation; promote child online safety; shape international initiatives; and support online safety innovation. We are looking for 6 ambitious HEOs who are ready to lead on high priority online safety policy and implementation work, in this friendly and supportive directorate. There are several exciting roles across the team, working on issues such as Online Safety Act Implementation, Child/Adult Safety Policy, Counter Disinformation, Technology and Media Literacy.

Role 1 - Project Support Officer: Online Safety Act Implementation

This role is focused on ensuring successful implementation of the Online Safety Act, keeping policy colleagues and partners clear about timescales and objectives. The post holder will run the secretariat for our various formal and informal governance processes with DSIT, Ofcom and the Home Office, ensuring that actions are followed up on across the board and provides regular central government and ministerial reporting on progress. This role also provides coordination and support for commissions that cut across the entire directorate such as leading the process for ministerial committee appearances and parliamentary reports (National Audit Office etc).

This role is right at the centre of the implementation of the new and world-leading Online Safety Act. It will provide great project management and planning experience to either experienced HEOs looking to develop these important skills, or someone new to the Civil Service or Grade who is looking to gain this experience and exposure to a fast-moving and high impact policy area.

Role 2 - Stakeholder Engagement Lead: Online Safety Act Implementation

This role provides crucial support in developing and implementing the Online Safety Act’s stakeholder engagement strategy. The post holder will play a key role in supporting engagement in relation to the implementation of the Online Safety Act, working closely with policy and implementation leads in DSIT, Ofcom, and across Whitehall to support engagement and set direction. The post holder will be expected to develop a strong understanding of stakeholder sentiment – ensuring suitable mechanisms for logging and tracking are in place, organise set piece meetings and stakeholder events, support Ministerial engagement – through both written and verbal briefings - and advise Ministers and seniors on engagement opportunities. As such, the role offers plenty of opportunities for senior and ministerial engagement, as well as opportunities to work closely with communications teams and private offices. 

Role 3 - Child/Adult Online Safety

The postholder will advise on both child and adult online safety policy, working across the user safety team to advise on issues which may apply to users of all ages. This will involve fast paced work on high-profile policy areas, and responding to emerging challenges and new workstreams where these arise.

The postholder will need to produce high quality advice and analysis on a range of online safety issues, which will need to consider existing legal frameworks, users’ rights, online safety issues, and emerging harms. The postholder will also work on the implementation of relevant sections of the Online Safety Act, and will work across Whitehall to ensure DSIT’s objectives are understood and considered in relevant departments. 

The role also requires contributions to ministerial briefings and external enquiries. The postholder is required to maintain a knowledge of the policy landscape, relevant primary legislation and historical ministerial decisions to deliver accurate and effective briefing and advice. 

Role 4 - Policy Advisor – Technology

The Online Safety Innovation team works to ensure that innovative online safety technologies are in place to support companies to comply with the new online safety regulatory regime, currently being established by Ofcom, and to build and grow the nascent online safety tech sector. This role will be situated on the ‘innovation’ side of the team, where we work to ensure that the internal government landscape supports the innovation of cutting-edge online safety technologies, to examine any potential legislative barriers to the effective deployment of online safety technologies, and to work alongside Ofcom in addressing any data challenges that create barriers to innovators in this space.
This role will suit someone who is eager to learn, with a keen interest in online safety and the ways in which technology can be harnessed to tackle harms online.

Role 5 - Policy Advisor - Counter Disinformation

The Counter-Disinformation policy team stretches across a range of policy work and supports on a number of high-profile policy issues, including the implementation of the Foreign Interference offence which aims to protect the UK from state-backed foreign disinformation operations. This work requires strategic, lateral thinking with a clear comprehension of the bigger picture of work across the team and cross-Whitehall, coupled with detailed policy thinking and analysis as we develop brand new policy and its implementation by Government. The post holder will lead on briefings for ministers and seniors, conduct long-term strategic thinking about the policy issues and support on the delivery of a public comms campaign.

Role 6 - Policy Advisor - Media Literacy

The Media Literacy Strategy was published in 2021 and this role supports the implementation of that strategy. This includes owning and managing the media literacy programme grants schemes, including monitoring projects' performance, outputs and finances. The role also requires policy thinking and research on questions around media literacy and child safety, disinformation and new tech developments like AI. The role has a large stakeholder engagement element including working with Ofcom as they publish their own Media Literacy Strategy and take on their new duties we gave them in the Online Safety Act. This role will be responsible for responding to cross-Whitehall commissions on media literacy and will require someone with good communication skills. Some project management experience is also welcome although not necessary as long as you're keen to learn those skills.

Person specification

Some of your responsibilities may include:

Policy Development:

• Research and analysis of key online safety issues.
• Develop and implement innovative policy approaches which delivers Ministerial and Departmental objectives.

Stakeholder engagement:

• Engaging with stakeholders on high-profile online safety issues.
• Building relationships with tech, civil society, regulators as well as colleagues across Government to help deliver policy outcomes.

Implementation:

• Aiding implementation of the Online Safety Act, working with Ofcom, stakeholders and policy leads across the directorate and Whitehall.
• Drafting high quality products and briefings for senior officials and Ministers.
• Drafting responses to Parliamentary Questions and correspondence.’

Project Management:

• Working with excel and PowerPoint to create and maintain timelines for the implementation of the OSA.

Skills and experience

• Written and oral communication skills, and be able to clearly and confidently engage with stakeholders.
• Ability to make effective decisions and provide clear, concise summaries and advice, including weighing up evidence and explaining complex ideas simply.
• Excellent organisational skills to respond well under pressure and juggle competing priorities. 
• You will need to be able to build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders and be be comfortable with managing conflicting opinions and prioritise.

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, Ability 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.

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Judgement Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application. 

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 07/04/2024. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to set out why are you interested in these roles in the Security and Online Harms Group, and what experience you would bring? (Please set out any preferences with regard to the roles in your statement).

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

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.

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

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

The interview will consist of behaviour 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 15/04/2024

Interview dates: 22/04/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

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

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.

Further Information

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.