The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government.
Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government, by:
- joining up public sector services
- harnessing the power of AI for the public good
- strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
- elevating leadership and investing in talent
- funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
- committing to transparency and driving accountability.
We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world-leading GOV.UK and at the forefront of coordinating the UK’s geospatial strategy and activity. We lead the Government Digital and Data function and champion the work of digital teams across government.
We’re part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol.
The Government Digital Service is where talent translates into impact. From your first day, you’ll be working with some of the world’s most highly-skilled digital professionals, all contributing their knowledge to make change on a national scale.
Join us for rewarding work that makes a difference across the UK. You'll solve some of the nation’s highest-priority digital challenges, helping millions of people access services they need.
Job overview
If you’re a strong generalist policy professional who enjoys working at pace on complex, real world issues - and you’re curious about how data and digital policy can drive growth and improve public services - we’d love to hear from you.
We’re recruiting up to 11 Policy Advisers (SEO grade) across multiple teams in DSIT’s Data Economy Directorate. You don’t need a technical background. You do need great policy skills, sound judgement, and the confidence to work on fast moving priorities with a wide range of partners.
Who we are
We are responsible for helping the UK realise the benefits of data and AI - in a safe and trusted way.
The UK already has one of the world’s largest data economies and a world leading geospatial data ecosystem. Our ambition is for the UK to become the world’s most trusted, dynamic and effective data economy, where citizens and businesses are enabled by and benefit from data.
We focus on unlocking more of that potential across sectors while maintaining public trust. We use policy, regulatory, investment and coordination levers to:
- Increase responsible data and AI use across high growth sectors
- Empower people and businesses to benefit more directly from data about them
- Enable seamless, safe cross border data flows
- Maximise the value and use of geospatial data
- Maintain trust in the digital economy
Our work sits at the intersection of technology, regulation, security, economic growth and public services - and it has visible impact: helping organisations use data responsibly, enabling innovation, and improving how government delivers.
About the roles
These roles are spread across several teams and policy areas. While you’ll be appointed to a specific post, all roles share a common thread: taking a policy problem, building the evidence, working with stakeholders, and turning ministerial intent into practical outcomes.
You could be working on:
1) Data protection and regulation (including emerging technology) (2x roles available on 2-year Fix Term Appointments and 2x roles available on 1-year Fix Term Appointments).
Helping shape how the UK’s data protection regime supports innovation while maintaining trust, including how data protection interacts with emerging technologies such as AI, and how regulation works in practice.
Two of the roles are for an innovative policy project that involves working closely with the regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and developing secondary legislation.
2) International data flows (2x roles available on 2-year Fix Term Appointments)
Supporting the UK’s prosperity and security by shaping policy that enables data to move internationally with confidence, including work through international forums (e.g. G7, G20, OECD, UN, and Council of Europe), and policy development on international transfer tools and cross border frameworks.
Some roles focus on emerging policy issues such as data security and data sovereignty, working across government to develop options and manage geopolitical risks.
3) Geospatial data policy (4x roles available on Permanent contract)
Helping improve access to and use of foundational location datasets across the public sector and wider economy - including policy linked to the National Underground Asset Register, Geospatial AI and wider geospatial priorities that underpin a world-leading geospatial ecosystem in the UK.
Roles include both strategic and delivery facing work: developing evidence and strategy for future geospatial capabilities and shaping policy proposals (including legislative work) to translate priorities into tangible outcomes.
4) Data Intermediaries policy (1x role available on 2-year Fix Term Appointment)
Working in a team that rebalances power between powerful platforms and business and people who rely on them. Our goal is to give consumers greater choice and control over their data through e.g. data portability, interoperability and organisations working on their behalf.
The role will involve identifying the most appropriate policy option(s) to address barriers to data intermediaries in the UK that prevent people using them to take better control over their data. Options we are consulting on include legislative reform.
The role will require engagement with industry stakeholders, policy design working closely with lawyers and recommending the way to proceed to ministers.
Successful candidates will be matched to roles for offer based on their experience and knowledge.
Person specification
Key responsibilities
You’ll take ownership of meaningful pieces of work, typically involving a mix of research, analysis, advice, engagement and delivery. You will lead workstreams, deliver through others and be comfortable operating independently. Depending on the role, this could include:
- Turning complex issues into clear policy choices: framing the problem, identifying options, assessing trade-offs, and making recommendations.
- Building and testing an evidence base (qualitative and quantitative) and working with analysts to shape practical proposals.
- Producing high quality written products: leading on briefings, submissions and clear narratives for a range of audiences.
- Working with a wide range of stakeholders across government, regulators, delivery teams, analysts, lawyers, devolved administrations and external partners (including industry bodies), to gather insight and build alignment.
- Delivering at pace: leading work packages, managing competing priorities, and keeping momentum on fast moving policy.
- Leading delivery of policy in the real world, including implementation planning and (in some roles) contributing to legislative delivery.
As a line manager, you will be responsible for working with your members of staff to define their objectives, as well as managing their development and performance.
Essential Criteria
We’re looking for people with strong generalist policy skills and the motivation to apply them in data and digital contexts. You don’t need to be a data expert. We’re interested in your ability to:
- Develop and deliver policy: experience working in a policy, research or strategy environment, taking forward work from problem definition through to recommendations.
- Analyse complex issues and use evidence well: structure ambiguous problems, assess evidence critically, and develop clear, practical options, taking forward work through to recommendations.
- Communicate clearly and effectively: produce high quality written advice and explain complex issues in plain English for a range of audiences, including senior and external stakeholders.
- Build strong relationships: work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and build consensus to deliver shared outcomes.
- Manage your work and deliver at pace: Independently lead your workstreams, take ownership of priorities, manage competing demands, and maintain high standards of delivery.
Desirable Criteria
The following experience or knowledge would be an advantage, but is not essential:
- Experience of working on data, digital or technology policy (including geospatial or AI related issues).
- Understanding of data protection legislation, international data flows, or wider regulatory frameworks.
- Experience of legislation and parliamentary processes, including secondary legislation.
- Experience working in or with commercial, infrastructure, or data sharing environments.
- Experience of working across a complex stakeholder landscape, including government, regulators, industry or international partners.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £44,620, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £12,926 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
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.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience.
Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
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 set out how you meet the essential criteria listed above.
Applications will be sifted on CV and Personal Statement.
In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the CV only.
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 to be confirmed.
Further Information
Reasonable Adjustments
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.
Candidates who meet the minimum benchmark may be placed on a Reserve List for consideration for similar roles, including those at a lower grade. Candidates who narrowly miss the benchmark and are not placed on the Reserve List may still be considered for an offer in a similar role at a lower grade.
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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
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.
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 [email protected].
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.
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.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply,and can be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis 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.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window).
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. 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).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact
Recruitment team
Further information
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance [email protected].
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints.
Attachments
DSIT T&Cs v1.2 - Opens in new window (docx, 179kB)
