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

• We are looking for an ambitious individual to join the Secure Connected Places Team. Our recent pieces of work include the Secure Connected Places Playbook, and the UK Connected Places Survey Report.
• Connected Places are defined by the NCSC and NPSA as: “communities that integrate information and communication technologies and internet of things (IoT) devices to collect and analyse data to deliver new services to the built environment and enhance the quality of living for citizens.” The most well-known ‘connected places’ are smart cities, which are a type of connected place. Connected place technologies are deployed in many places such as towns and cities, but increasingly in places such as: universities, train stations, airports, libraries, and museums. 
• The role holder will have the opportunity to shape policy in a fast-evolving subject, as technological development including AI will change the way organisations deliver public services and manage public spaces.
• You will have high levels of exposure to ministers, central government and relevant agencies, cyber security experts, and industry. The role would suit candidates looking for stretching opportunities to develop their policy, cyber security, and cross government working skills.
• You will have scope in the role and be encouraged to develop and lead on your own projects to support wider team efforts.
• Some national and international travel should be anticipated.

Person specification

• The role will involve improving our understanding of the secure connected spaces landscape, and understanding how central government can support managers and suppliers of connected place technologies, to make them more cyber secure. You will also identify the barriers to organisations relating to the deployment of connected places technologies and propose achievable remedies.
• The role will involve the development of impactful, new cyber security guidance and training for connected places, drive effective decision-making and governance, and work proactively and at pace across government to create holistic policy.
• Cyber security guidance on connected places has focussed principally on local authorities. You would be responsible for examining how to expand DSIT support to non-local authorities such as: universities, train stations, and airports.
• AI is playing an ever-important role in the delivery of public services, and you will create guidance that supports the safe and effective implementation of this type of technology in the context of connected places.
• You will develop networks and build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, including other government departments and agencies, local authorities, academic groups, NGOs, and international partners. You will represent DSIT in meetings with impact and influence.
• You will work closely with cyber security suppliers and experts in delivering these projects ranging from research to guidance creation. This will involve the drafting and tendering of contracts, and managing DSIT’s relationship with these partners to ensure projects are good value for money and meet policy objectives.
• You will deliver at pace on multiple priorities and support the team to ensure policy and engagement activity is joined up and coordinated.

Skills and experience

• 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 colleagues, senior officials, and ministers.
• Ability to quickly build and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and represent complex policy issues with confidence.
• Ability to manage relationships with commercial suppliers, ensuring they meet the objectives set by DSIT and ensuring they are providing good value for money.
• Experience of working on cyber security and/or international policy, or otherwise having a strong understanding in these areas, would be beneficial but is not essential.
• Commercial experience drafting invitation to tender documents and / or managing relations with private contractors would be beneficial but is not essential.

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 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 750 words) to explain how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experiences provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the key responsibilities, and skills and experience requirements highlighted.

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 behaviour questions

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 1st April 2024

Interview dates: w/c 8th April 2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

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

Further Information

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

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.