JOB SUMMARY

The new Government Digital Service (GDS) was announced as a key pillar of DSIT’s work by the Secretary of State earlier this year, as a catalyst for the digital transformation of public services. Public Sector AI Adoption is a core part of the activity GDS will deliver to create an efficient and productive public sector. As outlined in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, AI has enormous promise for the Civil Service and the citizens it serves. It will give us the reach and opportunity to improve lives, drive economic growth and increase productivity. We must harness this by integrating AI safely and securely within the design and delivery of public services.
What’s more, we have a unique opportunity to demonstrate the use of AI in line with public values to promote equity, fairness, and transparency. The public sector can serve as a role model for the responsible use of AI and seek to partner with innovative UK AI companies in the process.
We’re looking for a highly experienced senior programme delivery manager to lead an exciting and high profile programme across government - the AI Exemplars Programme.
This work sits within the Public Sector AI Adoption Unit, a newly established team sitting within GDS to lead on AI adoption across the public sector. The AI Exemplar Programme is a high profile, cross government initiative led by GDS to pilot and scale AI projects within departments.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This role is responsible for leading the programme delivery, working closely with the Director, Public Sector AI Adoption, plus senior stakeholders across government (including within Cabinet Office, no 10, DWP, HMRC, DHSC).

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• establishing the process for reporting on delivery, cross government engagement across the portfolio, and regular briefing of ministers and senior officials
• building extensive and trusted relationships across GDS, central government and the wider public sector
• building and leading a small project team to support the AI exemplars programme and establish what is required for GDS regarding future public sector AI adoption
• collaborate with government departments, academia, think tanks and industry partners to generate and test new ideas
• identify and seize opportunities to enhance public service delivery from an end-to-end perspective more widely, and pilot new concepts to demonstrate effective and efficient public service models.

WHILE WE VALUE THE USE OF AI TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE OUR DAILY WORK, WE ALSO VALUE THE PERSONAL TOUCH AND URGE APPLICANTS TO WRITE COVER LETTERS PERSONALLY TO EMPHASISE THEIR OWN UNIQUE EXPERIENCES.

In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is: Leadership
In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.

For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Seeing the bigger picture,
• Delivering at pace
• Making Effective Decisions

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)
• 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

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• establishing the process for reporting on delivery, cross government engagement across the portfolio, and regular briefing of ministers and senior officials
• building extensive and trusted relationships across GDS, central government and the wider public sector
• building and leading a small project team to support the AI exemplars programme and establish what is required for GDS regarding future public sector AI adoption
• collaborate with government departments, academia, think tanks and industry partners to generate and test new ideas
• identify and seize opportunities to enhance public service delivery from an end-to-end perspective more widely, and pilot new concepts to demonstrate effective and efficient public service models

The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:

• a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and cover letter of up to 750 words. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “person specification” section above
• a 60 minute in-person interview. As part of the process there may be assessment of skills either by a presentation or simulated exercise with follow-up questions. Full details of the requirements will be given to shortlisted candidates ahead of their interview

For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Seeing the bigger picture,
• Delivering at pace
• Making Effective Decision