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About the job
Job summary
The responsibilities for the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology for 2023 are as follows:
- Positioning the UK at the forefront of global scientific and technological advancement
- Driving innovations that change lives and sustain economic growth
- Delivering talent programmes, physical and digital infrastructure and regulation to support our economy, security and public services
- R&D funding
For 2023, our priorities are:
- 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 our 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 key 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.
- Pass the remaining stages of the reformed Online Safety Bill to keep British people, especially children, safe online.
Our Inclusive Environment
We are building an inclusive culture to make the Department a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice 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 will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.
We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.
We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion. We will fully support candidates with a disability or long-term condition who require adjustments in our recruitment process.
Find Out More
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 Careers Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/
Job description
Our Team
The Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) guides and supports organisations to innovate responsibly, helping the UK maximise the benefits of data-driven technology. The Centre provides support to a wide range of public and private sector organisations around four programmes:
– Responsible Data Access: Facilitate responsible data access, including piloting new technical tools, forms of data stewardship and governance. For example, collaborating with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to run a challenge prize to accelerate the development and adoption of novel privacy-enhancing technologies.
– Algorithmic Transparency: Enable greater algorithmic transparency. For example, co-development of the Governments Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard to help public sector organisations provide clear information about the algorithmic tools they use, and why theyre using them.
– AI Assurance: Enable the development of a strong AI assurance ecosystem in the UK, helping organisations have confidence to innovate responsibly, and fostering an emerging AI assurance industry. For example, developing and delivering a roadmap for a world-class AI assurance ecosystem.
– Strategic Projects: Support and facilitate the responsible use of data and AI across the public sector. For example, working with the Ministry of Defence on the responsible use of AI in defence.
Our goal is to support partners in enabling and delivering responsible innovation in data-driven technology, creating an environment in which the public are confident their values are reflected in the way data-driven technology is developed and deployed; citizens can trust that decisions informed by algorithms are fair; and the risks posed by innovation are identified and addressed.
This is an exciting and varied role leading teams across CDEI’s critical functions. As Head of External Affairs and Insight, you will lead a high-performing team working on some of the most pressing issues in Government, ensuring that the public and critical stakeholders are at the heart of interventions on AI and data.
Person specification
Public attitudes:
– Strategic leadership for CDEIs public attitudes function, helping to ensure that policy and projects on AI and data are informed by deep public engagement
– Set the direction and oversee delivery of multiple qualitative and quantitative social research projects
– Build and maintain a good network of relevant Whitehall and external relationships
– Driving stakeholder engagement to maximise uptake of the teams Public Attitudes expertise
International:
– Oversee CDEIs International function, helping to ensure that international engagement advances the objectives of CDEI programmes and wider UK government requirements
– Work with colleagues to set the strategic direction for international engagement
– Support delivery of ongoing CDEI partnerships with countries including the US and Estonia, and international institutions including the OECD
Engagement and Strategic Communications:
– Set the direction for an active programme of engagement, including events, briefing and external stakeholder engagement
– Oversee CDEI communications and brand, including embedded media and social media
– Lead CDEIs contributions to departmental governance, and broader Civil Service stakeholder engagement
Team leadership:
– Lead, motivate and support a multi-disciplinary team
– Manage three Grade 7 direct reports (Head of Public Attitudes, Head of International, Head of Engagement and Strategic Communications)
– Build productive relationships with CDEI programme teams and relevant teams across DSIT and across Government to support delivery
Skills and Experience
– Demonstrated leadership skills needed to motivate and lead a team, to operate in periods of uncertainty and to build an inclusive team culture
– Experience of leading a team to design and deliver public engagement research projects or user-focused policy making
– Experience of international engagement/international collaboration
– Interest in AI governance and data policy
– Demonstrated experience of setting an ambitious programme of delivery, and using prioritisation skills and personal initiative to get things done
– Ability to build strong stakeholder relationships and deliver through others; strong influencing and communication skills
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
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 average employer contribution of 27%.
- 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.
- A hybrid office/home based working model where staff will spend a norm of 40-60% of their time in the office (minimum of 40%) over a month with flex dependent on balancing business and individual need.
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 outline why you are applying for the role and how your skills and experience will help you to deliver the role’s key responsibilities.
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 behaviour 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 04/12/2023
Interview dates: w/c 11/12/2023
Interview Location: MS Teams.
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Further Information
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
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
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 does not currently hold a sponsorship licence and cannot offer Visa Sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.
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 applicants 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
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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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Louise Sheridan
- Email : louise.sheridan2@dsit.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dsitresourcing.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
