About the job

Job summary

In response to Russia full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine has requested UK expertise and support to aid reconstruction efforts. A new team, led by a Deputy Director, has been established to deliver the next phases of work as the scope and volume of activity expands substantially over the coming months.  

This high profile and stretching G7 role. based within the Ukraine Reconstruction Team and working with the DBT Director for Science and Technology and team, will deliver a new initiative, the UK-Ukraine TechBridge, developing and delivering  its programme of activity.  The UK-Ukraine TechBridge, announced by the Prime Minister at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in June 2023, aims to bridge the gap between UK and Ukrainian tech businesses, helping shore up the resilience and continue the development of a thriving Ukrainian sector despite the challenges of war.  

The role will suit a highly motivated self-starter who is comfortable operating in ambiguity, with a keen focus on delivery and able to work effectively with Government of Ukraine partners, private sector stakeholders and relevant civil society in both countries.  Whilst no prior experience of the tech sector is required, the successful candidate will need to develop good commercial awareness of the UK and Ukrainian tech sectors and the business environments to deliver relevant activities. You will deliver and continue to build an engaging programme of activity that connects businesses and related professional services, addresses barriers to trade and investment, builds skills, promotes innovation and delivers for the UK and for Ukraine.

The role has management responsibilities for one SEO (line managed from FCDO’s Ukraine Early Recovery and Reconstruction Department) and one DBT HEO, as well as responsibility for managing a budget and identifying new sources of funding/ support and managing a roving workspace.

The role is based at DBT HQ in London, but we anticipate TechBridge staff will be onsite at the TechBridge London location for the majority of the week, in line with DBT flexible working policies.

The role will be fast paced and challenging, leading a complex portfolio. It will provide excellent opportunities to demonstrate operating at senior level within government and the private sector, and engaging internationally, enabling personal and professional development.  

Job description

TechBridge leadership – You will lead the department’s work on the UK-Ukraine TechBridge, developing the programme, getting buy-in from senior leaders, and delivering on HMG’s commitments to Ukraine.

Collaborating with the Government of Ukraine – You will develop and build strong relationships with counterparts in the Government of Ukraine who are our partners in the initiative.

Private sector engagement – You will engage with businesses from the tech sector from both the UK and Ukraine, working with them to develop the TechBridge and support their ambitions.

Cross Whitehall engagement – You will work with colleagues from across HMG, particularly the FCDO and British Embassy Kyiv, to develop the TechBridge and ensure it aligns with HMG ambitions.

Leadership – You will be an active member of DBT’s Ukraine reconstruction team, supporting the development of overarching strategies and ways of working.  You will ensure that TechBridge work informs the wider DBT/ HMG approach to Ukraine recovery and reconstruction, and vice versa. 

Team management – You will manage a team of two, directly line-managing one HEO, and matrix managing one SEO from the FCDO.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Excellent organisational skills and ability to plan and deliver high quality work at pace
• A creative approach to delivering on strategic objectives in partnership with others, with an innovative approach
• Proven track record engaging with industry (UK and international)
• Experience engaging internationally
• Strong record working across Whitehall

Desirable Criteria

• Experience managing and administering funding applications
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; and ability to clearly and confidently brief Ministers and senior officials
• Experience developing programme policy and strategy
• Experience engaging with senior officials and ministers

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £53,560, Department for Business and Trade contributes £14,461 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.

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:    

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages. 
• A Personal Statement of up to 500 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.   

It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change. 

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

Vetting 

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.   

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment: 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. 

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.  

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Candidate Support

You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.  

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department. 

Further Information:

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.   
• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.  
• New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.  
• 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. Any applicant who has 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.  
• Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
• Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI 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 

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

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.