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

There has never been a better time to join HR as we start to set up the new department. Whether you are at the start of your career, returning from a break or looking for a change of direction, DSIT is where you want to be. We have teams based at our regional hubs – Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Manchester, Edinburgh and coming soon in 2024 is Bristol.

We have a really exciting agenda - harnessing the power of data, and technological transformation – and the HR team’s expertise and services are critical in enabling the new department to function and deliver its mission.

We need brilliant people to make DSIT a great place to work and want our team to lead by example. Within the team we believe that L&D is critical to grow our capability, development and stretch ourselves. You will be joining a welcoming and inspiring working environment in which colleagues look out for and support one another.

I really hope you can join us to play a part in DSIT as we enter an exciting chapter of our creation and in making the department the best in Whitehall.

Helen Mills

DSIT HR Director     

Person specification

Key responsibilities: 

We are looking for a proactive and motivated individual who can support the Departments HR Director with diary and email management as well as administrative co-ordination activities to help the director and their office operate effectively.

This is an exciting, challenging role in a supportive team, offering the chance to work in a newly formed department and directorate. The role will offer the successful individual the opportunity to build an understanding of a wide range of DSIT’s policies and processes, and work with a wide range of other colleagues cross civil service.

This is a fast-paced role which will require the postholder to manage a busy diary and inbox while managing other competing interests and commitments. Collaboration is key, so you’ll be a talented communicator who can build effective relationships with a broad range of colleagues and stakeholders.

In line with the busy environment of the Directors office, there will be opportunities to expand the role’s responsibilities to support the Chief of Staff and Business Manager by leading on areas of work to support the delivery of departmental priorities. 

 Key Responsibilities

 The post-holder will be expected to adapt to changing priorities as needed, with the core responsibilities including but not limited to:

• Smooth and efficient running of the HR Director’s diary, handling all requests and invitations, and working closely with other Ministerial and senior officials’ offices. In addition to this managing conflicting meetings and prioritising effectively.
• Leading regular diary meetings, where you will discuss the objectives of each requested meeting and agree a prioritisation approach to ensure the Directors time is well managed.
• Proactively following up on key actions raised in meetings liaising across the department and civil service when necessary.
• When required, represent the HR Director’s priorities, views and expectations across the Department.
• Planning and coordinating agendas for team meetings
• Work closely with the Chief of Staff and Business Manager to support the HR Director’s goals and objectives, as well as respond and resolve corporate needs.
• Provide administrative support through effective inbox management, reviewing emails, forwarding as appropriate, assigning actions and flagging urgent issues appropriately.
• Booking travel and accommodation and managing expenses
• Responding to commissions when appropriate.
• Assisting the HR Business Manager with onboarding of employees.
• Coordinating visit programmes and away days, working with hosts and stakeholders on suggested itineraries and preparing briefing packs.
• Ensuring the latest papers, briefings and submissions are shared with the HR Director.
• Leading on recruitment needs in the directorate.
• Accurate minute taking when required.
• Support the wider team, picking up ad-hoc projects as and when required for example, development of the induction pack for new joiners.

Skills and experience:

• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to work effectively across a range of tasks under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact confidently and professionally with stakeholders of varying seniority.
• Experience of working effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively to resolve difficult issues.
• Good judgement to manage situations independently and understand when to escalate and how.
• Strong work ethic and a proven team player, with ability to work under pressure.
• Proven ability to work automatously, with the understanding of when to raise issues.

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, behavioural statements and a personal statement. 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 demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience required for this role.

Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements, CV, and personal statement. 

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behaviour statement (Managing a Quality Service).

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 13/05/24

Interview dates: w/c 20/05/24

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.