Transport security capability and innovation lead London, England
Job description
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Science
Security
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About the job
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About the job
Job summary
We recognise the challenges that people with protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Do you have a proactive and confident approach?
Have you got experience fostering innovation or building technical capabilities within organisations?
Can you think outside of the box and are not afraid to try new things?
Would you like the chance to make a real difference and support the government and industry to deliver a safe, secure, and resilient transport network. if so, we would love to hear from you!
Job description
The Transport Security Directorate (TSD) works across the Department for Transport, HMG, and with partners to mitigate the threats the transport sector faces domestically and internationally.
We lead on high profile work to implement and improve the transport sector’s cyber security, maritime and aviation security regimes as well as working with international partners to raise global standards and build capability. As the national security threats transport faces evolve, we are working across DfT to ensure that these issues are reflected in the Department’s work to ensure that we balance prosperity with security objectives.
The National Security Science and Research (NSSR) Division of TSD is responsible for providing scientific and technical support in the development of policies and regulation that protects transport systems and the travelling public from terrorist attacks, natural hazards or civil contingencies. Provision of advice and evidence is underpinned by three core research programmes (circa £10-12M per annum), which the Division designs, administers and facilitates the exploitation of.
We are looking for 2 people to join the new Capabilities and Innovation Programme team, ensuring effective capability planning of the Division’s three core research programmes (Research, Analysis and Development; Innovation; Resilience) and delivery of the Division’s new cross-modal Innovation programme.
These exciting and interesting roles will be responsible for delivering the team’s two core functions;
- Identification of vulnerabilities in transport security and development of strategic and technical roadmaps to support prioritisation and workflow for the three delivery programmes.
- Delivery of an innovation programme to drive and support innovators from industry and academia in addressing current and emerging threats in transport security. The programme will aim to deliver through a variety of different mechanisms, spanning the full Technology Readiness Level (TRL) spectrum.
These roles will involve working closely with senior policy leads, scientific and technical experts across the Government National Security and Resilience communities, transport Industry, academia, and international partners.
We are a passionate, friendly, dedicated and supportive division that is committed to ensuring the security and resilience of transport, as well as the prosperity of the UK and transport industry.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Establish and deliver the Division’s new Capability Assessment Framework to ensure high level capabilities are in place to deliver the Division’s plans, embedding into future strategic planning processes.
- Develop and deliver capability roadmaps for the Division’s three delivery programmes – Research, Analysis and Development, RAD; Innovation; and Resilience which will drive the future technical projects.
- Develop and deliver a forward-looking innovation strategy, with an emphasis on innovation realisation and exploitation. This plan will cover Aviation, Land and Maritime security, and incorporates the activity of the NSSR teams, ensuring alignment with the Transport Security and Resilience Science & Technology Strategy.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including Government departments, Industry, Academia, International partners and Security end users ensuring relevant connections are made between stakeholders’ work and science and technology requirements in DfT.
For more information about the role and responsibilities please see the attached Role Profile.
Person specification
About you
To thrive in this role, you will have experience working in a scientific or technical area or experience in applying the fundamentals of innovation to the development of products or policy.
You will have an understanding and interest of science and technology for security and either hold a qualification in a STEM subject at degree level or equivalent or have relevant experience of transport security.
You will have strong communication skills and can manage team and stakeholder relationships. You can adapt your communication style to a variety of audiences and can communicate scientific principles to a non-technical audience.
Additional information
These roles require travel within the UK 1-2 times a month and some international travel, primarily to mainland Europe up to two or three times per year.
Due to the nature of the role, you may need to work out of hours on occasion, but we make every effort to allow for your personal circumstances.
The successful candidates can start employment once Security Check clearance has been obtained but must have a willingness to undergo Developed Vetting clearance once in post.
Our expectation is that our staff will remain in post for at least two years, therefore we will heavily invest in you to make happen sure you have all the support and training required to thrive in this role.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Government Science and Engineering Framework - Building and applying knowledge - Apply Knowledge
- Government Science and Engineering Framework - Building and applying knowledge - Apply Knowledge
Benefits
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.
Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport .
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to Apply
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV and Personal Statement. Please tailor your CV to suit the role. For your Personal Statement, please provide detailed evidence of the following:
- Working in a scientific or technical area, including leading technology or innovation projects
- Understanding of science and technology for security
- Strong communication skills with the ability to manage team and stakeholder relations and adapt your communication style to your audience.
Please fully utilise the 1000-word count when completing your personal statement.
The sift is due to take place week commencing 12th June 2023.
Interviews/assessments are likely to be held between 28th-30th June 2023.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
- An interview and presentation
This interview could be conducted online via Teams or face to face at one of our offices. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile and Government Science and Engineering Career Framework, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.
The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, DfT is committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] 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.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How we hire page of our DfT Careers website.
Before submitting your application, we encourage you to visit our Recruitment in detail page of the DfT Careers website. You will find detailed information about the entire recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role in the Civil Service.Throughout this job advert there are links to the DfT Careers Website, which provides you further information to support your application. Should you be unable to access the information on our website, please email [email protected] for assistance.
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 will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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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
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Recruitment team
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here
