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

We are looking for two ambitious new team members to join our friendly and fast paced Cyber Resilience Policy team. We sit at the heart of one of the UK’s most important policies aimed at increasing the level of resilience, cyber risk management, and security of vital UK services that citizens and the economy relies on. 

The role holders will have a unique opportunity to develop impactful cyber interventions in a highly policy-driven environment, working across government and with industry. 

The roles have a strong stakeholder and policy development focus. Candidates will be required to demonstrate leadership and an ability to work effectively and autonomously with central government and regulators, as well as with industry and academia, to build a clear understanding of how we can effectively improve the cyber resilience of key services and industries to secure the UK’s prosperity. 

You will have high levels of exposure to ministers, central government, cyber security experts, and industry, and the roles would suit candidates looking for stretching opportunities to develop their policy, cyber security, legislation, and parliamentary engagement skills. 

You will have scope in the role, and be encouraged, to develop and lead on your own projects to support wider team efforts.

Person specification

The roles will focus on improving how one of the key cyber regulatory frameworks operates in the UK, and will involve the development of new, evidence-based, and impactful policies, drive effective decision-making, and work proactively and at pace to deliver much needed reforms. To achieve this, applicants will need to: - Demonstrate leadership in your policy areas as well as in your team, bringing stakeholders along with you as you develop policy options, representing the team’s efforts more widely; - Develop networks and build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, including regulators, other government departments and international partners. You will represent DSIT in meetings with impact and influence; - Build in-depth knowledge of the legislative process, working across government to prepare new regulatory interventions to be made into law, as well as with Parliament and No10 on the government’s future cyber priorities; - Produce high quality advice, briefings, submissions, and communications. They will also commission evidence and research, proactively and effectively engaging with key stakeholders to identify future policy opportunities and the most appropriate type of government intervention - from nudges to incentives, guidance, and regulation; - Deliver at pace on multiple priorities, and support the team to ensure policy and engagement activity is joined up and coordinated;  - Establish themselves as policy experts in their subject area, able to represent government objectives to senior audiences with confidence and credibility, and advise ministers, senior officials, and technical experts on effective ways to improve UK cyber resilience. Skills and experience: Essential - Strong ability to analyse and understand the root causes of a problem, develop an evidence base, and subsequently develop feasible solutions, evaluate their impact and effectiveness by using critical judgement, and balance costs and benefits; - Work proactively, with independence, and at pace, taking ownership of your own portfolio and leading work confidently, and demonstrate excellent organisational and prioritisation skills to deliver on multiple strands of work in parallel; - Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to synthesise complex and conceptual issues persuasively, and confidently advise and voice opinions with senior stakeholders; - Ability to quickly build and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior stakeholders and represent complex policy issues with confidence; - Ability to use knowledge and networks to inform and shape the team’s strategic priorities. Desirable - Understanding of, and experience with, working with legislation, regulations, and an awareness of the legislative and parliamentary processes; - Knowledge of, and interest in, cyber security and resilience issues facing organisations, including business risk management.  - An awareness of CNI cyber security policy, the NIS Regulations, or wider cyber security regulations policy and implementation.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,860, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £10,492 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 500 words) to explain how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the key responsibilities, and skills and experience requirements highlighted.

Applications will be sifted on CV 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.  

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: 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 or 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.

Vetting

SC Clearance.

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

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.