policy analyst London, England
Job description
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Senior Executive Officer
Contract type
Loan
Secondment
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Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is driving an ambitious digital agenda to make Britain the most connected, tech friendly, innovation-driven, digital skilled and cyber-secure country in the world.
Our work on cyber security is high profile and attracts significant attention from the highest levels of government and industry. This role sits within the Cyber Skills policy team, which is responsible for designing policy interventions under the Ecosystem pillar of the National Cyber Strategy. It is focused across three main policy areas:
- Professionalisation and Industry demand
- Education and inspiring young people
- Strategy and International
The team handles a dynamic, engaging and strategically important programme of work critical to ensuring there is a sustainable supply of homegrown cyber security talent in the UK which can protect organisations and improve the UK’s overall cyber resilience.
Job description
Whilst DCMS is advertising this vacancy, the successful candidate(s) may ultimately be appointed to the newly created Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
This role provides the opportunity to lead cyber youth skills policy. There is significant scope for the post holder to proactively drive and shape the development of their policy area, engaging with senior stakeholders across government, education and the cyber security community.
They will be responsible for policy aimed at students (up to age 18) with a specific focus on key stage three (11 - 14 year olds). They will be the policy lead for our main intervention in this space Cyber Explorers, an online interactive learning platform.
They will also be expected to develop and lead projects to better inform our evidence base and enable collaborative working with our stakeholders as we work to inspire students to consider computing qualifications and technology careers with a focus on those from underrepresented groups.
Day-to-day tasks include:
- Developing policy proposals and initiatives aimed at inspiring young people to consider computing qualifications and a future career in cyber
- Drafting briefings and submissions to senior leaders and Ministers
- Writing invitations to tender for projects and engaging with the programme and commercial team to ensure they are delivered successfully
- Challenging project progress in partnership with programme teams and discussing policy ideas with stakeholders.
- Leading regular engagement with key stakeholders i.e Department for Education, National Cyber Security Centre and other DSIT Skills Teams
Person specification
Essential criteria:
- Ability to work at pace, leading and owning tasks, working with autonomy and initiative.
- Written communication skills, i.e.the ability to write clearly, concisely and logically.
- Skills in analysis - the ability to consult a range of materials and extract key insights, as well as challenge assumptions.
- Strong verbal skills with an ability to communicate complex issues with confidence and clarity.
- Have a flexible approach to changing policy priorities and the ability to be calm under pressure with a positive and proactive attitude to problem-solving
- Ability to establish and maintain strong stakeholder relationships and creativity in developing solutions in a collaborative way.
Desirable Criteria:
- Interest in cyber security and a willingness to learn.
- Understanding of the UK skills and education system.
- Experience writing briefings and submissions.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We’re committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:
Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working - DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home
26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service
A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice
3 days of paid volunteering leave
Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year
Occupational sick pay
Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice
Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks
Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work
Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!
Terms and conditions at SCS grades will vary. Those applying for SCS roles should refer to the candidate information pack for more information on terms and conditions.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
To apply for this post, please send us the following documents no later than 23:55 on Sunday, 16th July 2023, via the CS Jobs portal:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential and desirable criteria and that any gaps in employment history within the last two years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 3 x A4 pages and you should insert your CV into the "Job History" section on Civil Service Jobs on the Civil Service Jobs application form.
- A Statement of Suitability (max 500 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities, and experience to provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential requirements highlighted. You may also choose to reference the desirable skills listed.
For the shortlist, we will assess your experience and select applicants demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence provided in your application.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be conducted on the statement of suitability against the essential requirements. Those who are successful in the initial sift will then be scored on all elements of the application.
Should you encounter any issues with your online application, please get in touch with: [email protected]
The interview process will assess behaviours and strengths and potentially include a presentation.
You will not be made aware of the strengths being assessed prior to your interview.
As part of your interview, you may be asked to deliver a short oral presentation. Full details of this, including the topic, and whether or not you will need to use visual aids, will be sent to you prior to your interview.
In most cases interviews will take place remotely via Google Meet video call. However please refer to the Candidate Information Pack to confirm the interview approach.
Location
This role can be based in London, Manchester or Darlington. The hub locations are displayed on the job advert. Not all hub locations have confirmed office space yet - successful applicants will be expected to work remotely until this becomes available.
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
For indicative sift and interview dates please refer to the attached Candidate Information Pack.
DCMS has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the ‘Information for Applicants’ document.
If you choose to join on a loan basis, prior agreement to be released on loan must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DCMS 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 at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service 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 [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
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 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.
Reasonable Adjustment
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, please:
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. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or a verbal test rather than a written one.
Alternatively, contact the Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility difficulties with any of the attachments, please contact us. Contact details can be found in the 'contact point for applicants' section of the job advert.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact ([email protected]) in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/
