Policy Advisor - Tech Sector Team
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 12th January 2025
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About the job
Job summary
At DSIT we’re all about improving people’s lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.
We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.
We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.
We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.
We do all this to enable the Government’s 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.
Above all, we focus on improving people’s lives. Whether it’s researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.
Our Inclusive Environment
We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.
Find Out More
We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application and interview process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://forms.office.com/e/Jae3B4w7xm
You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/
Job description
The Tech Sector Team is made up of two sub teams: Tech Sector Growth and Tech Sector Strategic Engagement.
The postholder will gain experience working with Ministers and senior officials, engaging directly with the tech sector, as well as contributing to important departmental priorities in a fast-moving policy area. This is a truly exciting time to be joining the team as we liaise with the tech sector to support the delivery of the Government's Missions, and position the UK as a global leader in tech.
Person specification
Key responsibilities
There are 2 roles available across the team's priorities. One role is in the growth sub-team, leading on the day-to-day project management of the Digital Growth Grant (DGG) and supporting policy development for the team’s startup ecosystems work. Another role is in the strategic engagement sub-team, supporting the team’s ministerial engagement in set piece events such as London Tech Week, as well as policy work on regional tech ecosystems and increasing diversity in the tech sector. Responsibilities could include:
- Supporting policy projects to deliver the team’s and Ministerial priorities in growing and promoting the tech sector. This could include the day-to-day project delivery of the Digital Growth Grant (DGG) or policy work to support regional tech ecosystems and strengthen diversity in the tech sector.
- Strategic engagement with the tech sector to communicate HMG’s objectives and understand the sector’s needs and concerns, or through coordinating senior ministerial and official engagements with the sector. This could include delivering set piece engagements such as London Tech Week and regional tech festivals.
- Building strong relationships across Whitehall to support effective delivery of the team’s objectives, champion the UK tech sector, and build a community of engaged officials.
- Conducting research to build knowledge of the issues faced by the UK tech sector and translating these into policy insights and analysis. This includes regional tech ecosystems and underrepresented founders.
- Contribute to policy projects and engagements in the wider Tech Sector team, working flexibly across the team where necessary.
Skills and experience
Essential:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills to ensure information is communicated clearly and succinctly to senior officials and Ministers.
- An ability to work across varied workstreams at the same time and prioritise accordingly, producing work to a high standard often within short timescales.
- An ability to use a range of evidence to solve complex problems. An ability to analyse and clearly present complex issues to different audiences.
- A strong background of building and managing relationships and communicating effectively with key partners.
- Strong project management skills.
- Be self-motivated and proactive and take individual responsibility for supporting the delivery and driving work.
- An ability to be adaptable and work flexibly, adjusting to new projects and workstreams as priorities shift.
- A strong team player, willing to offer support and help to the wider team when needed.
Desirable:
- An interest in/experience of working in the tech sector.
- An interest in/experience of working on tech policy, for example improving diversity in tech or growing local tech ecosystems.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Seeing the Big Picture
Benefits
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
- A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
- Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
- An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
- Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
Office attendance
The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
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 750 words) to setting out your interest in the role, and explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential requirements. You may also choose to reference the desirable skills listed.
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 and strength questions, as well as a written exercise.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
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.
Information about the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and some examples of adjustments that we offer to disabled candidates and candidates with long-term health conditions during our recruitment process can be found in our DSIT Candidate Guidance. A DSIT Plain Text Version of the guidance is also available.
We encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.
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.
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.
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Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Amy Pang
- Email : amy.pang@dsit.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dsitresourcing.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
