At DSIT, were all about cementing the UKs position as a Science and Tech superpower. Our mission is driving stronger growth, better jobs and bold discoveries. Were the Department investing in today to secure future economic growth. 

To help us get there, our Science and Technology Framework lays out the roadmap for everything we do, giving us a clear plan up to 2030.  Together with stakeholders from across government and the SciTech sector we are:   

• Backing UK science, technology and innovation, boosting investment in our most exciting technologies and sectors of the future, to grow the economy and create high paid-jobs.  
• Tackling global challenges through international influence and partnerships to secure our future and security. 
• Improving lives by championing responsible innovation in the digital economy and public services.

We want DSIT to be the best place to work in government and central to this is our set of core values think big, value people, create connections, cultivate curiosity. We created these together in our first months as a department and they guide how we work: helping us make decisions, informing our behaviour and interactions.    

From delivering the Online Safety Act 2023 and hosting the worlds first inaugural AI Safety Summit to boosting investment in R&D and Life Sciences, we have already achieved so much since we were created. But this is only the beginning and being a department for innovation, were excited to see what the future holds.  

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 

You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/    

The Integrated Review Refresh (IR23) describes Chinas growing power and international influence as an epoch-defining challenge. The new government has set out that it will take a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing the UKs relations with China. We will co-operate where we can, compete where we have different interests, and challenge where we must. It will also take forward an audit of our relationship with China. This will look at our relationship across a range of our respective interests and will underpin our approach going forwards. 

Science and Technology leadership is also central to Chinas agenda, and China S&T is a key lens through which escalating geostrategic competition is taking place: to secure supply chains and access to technologies; to shape the rules and values that will guide the development and use of data and new technologies; and to be at the forefront of game-changing research and technological innovation. ​

The China Team in DSIT is at the intersection of the Governments China and S&T agendas, responsible for shaping and driving the departments strategic approach to China, determining where and how we should engage, and coordinating on China S&T issues across HMG. The team sits within DSITs International and Economic Security Directorate, which coordinates DSITs cross-cutting international engagement and broader economic security strategy. We are a diverse, social directorate where there are plenty of opportunities to learn.

The role gives candidates the opportunity to develop policy in high-profile and important areas, as well as develop or gain national security and international experience, through cross-cutting strategic thinking and bilateral engagement. The work can be fast-paced - you should be resilient in managing a varied workload and changing priorities. You will get to grips with priority policy areas, cooperating effectively with others, and thinking critically and strategically to establish how best to deliver for DSIT. The role will involve significant cross-government working, as well as close collaboration with DSIT policy teams and overseas networks.

Key responsibilities:

Our work is varied, with scope for tailoring roles to suit strengths and development needs of the team, however examples of key responsibilities and projects include:

Support the Head of China Team on implementation and governance of the new governments approach on China, ensuring a coherent approach in DSIT and across government on China S&T. 

Drive China capability (analysis, expertise building and upskilling) within DSIT and across government, including delivery of major projects through programme funding.

Lead briefing and advice for government-to-government engagement with China navigating a complex political and diplomatic environment, working closely with the overseas network in China.

Develop our approach to engagement with Chinese tech companies, including closer coordination across HMG to bring greater coherence.

Act as a source of expertise on China S&T developments, including within the wider geopolitical context, using this expertise to provide policy advice to teams across DSIT and wider government on a wide range of policy questions.

Skills and experience:

We would love to hear from you if you have strong transferable skills in:

Excellent evidence-based strategic and analytical skills as well as critical thinking, problem-solving and judgement.

Communicating complex ideas clearly and succinctly.

Demonstrable ability to successfully influence, challenge and negotiate, including when under pressure.

Strong prioritisation skills that enable you to make effective decisions when handling time-sensitive work to achieve both short and long-term results, identifying, managing and adapting to competing agendas. Ability to work effectively at pace when necessary and demonstrate a track record of this. 

Ability to focus on the bigger picture (e.g. wider policy and political landscape), enabling consistent connections between own work portfolio and wider geopolitical, organisational and team objectives.   

Experience and/or expertise in at least one of China, S&T, geopolitics and/or economic security issues would be advantageous in this role.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

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.

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.

Job contact :

• Name : Ethan Silver
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]