JOB SUMMARY

At DSIT we’re all about improving people’s lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.
We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.
We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.
We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.
We do all this to enable the Government’s 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.
Above all, we focus on improving people’s lives. Whether it’s researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.

SELECTION PROCESS DETAILS

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete behavioural statements, 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 500 words) to outline your suitability for the role based on your skills and experience, with reference to the job description.
Applications will be sifted on behavioural statements, CV, and personal statement.
In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement.
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.

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

THE ROLE AND OUR TEAM

The role is in the Technology Strategy and Security Team (TSS), which sits within the DSIT Technology & Innovative Regulation Directorate. TSS’s mission is to drive policy that helps translate UK science excellence into economic innovation, helping to grow the future sectors of our economy, from quantum to robotics to engineering biology. It is not just the economic implications of these technological changes that we need to grapple with, but the security and societal implications too.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing and fast paced team, working at the centre of Government on ground-breaking science and technology policy. The engineering biology team covers the full breadth of policies from growth and international partnerships to national security. It sits alongside others focused on specific deep tech sectors, including advanced materials, quantum and robotics. The team works collaboratively across Government, and together with the UK industry, research partners, and international allies to set the right ecosystem conditions for the engineering biology sector to thrive.
It is a high performing, dynamic and inclusive team. We champion openness, integrity and inclusivity - working together to make the UK an excellent place for science, innovation and technology and to make DSIT an excellent and supportive place to work.
This role supports leadership on the policies concerned with responsible innovation and biosecurity within engineering biology, which includes themes such as public trust, research culture and specific elements of the Biosecurity Strategy.

THE ROLE

This is a new work stream and we’re looking for an SEO who is eager to take initiative, drive policy and navigate the interests of HMG.
We are looking for an experienced policy adviser with passion for driving policy forward across government departments. Candidates must have an ability to pick up complex or detailed policy quickly. Experience in working with teams across HMG is important. The role would be ideal for an SEO looking to find more autonomy and ownership of their work.
The successful candidate will focus on policy to grow and protect UK strategic advantage in engineering biology and AI convergence. They will work alongside teams in other departments, supporting work to craft HMGs strategic policies on the opportunities and risks concerning the convergence of AI and Engineering Biology.
This is a high-profile and unique opportunity to work at the strategic centre of these developments at the cross-section of AI and biological capabilities.
This will include; engaging across the Government, industry, academia and international partners to understand the technological and geopolitical context; deploying technical knowledge, experience and critical thinking to create innovative solutions to the opportunities and risks; and supporting others to demonstrate cross-Government leadership capacity to champion this work.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As the Senior Policy Advisor for AI-Bio convergence, you will:
Engage across government, industry, academia and international partners to gather, analyse and deploy insight on the cross-section of AI and Engineering Biology.
Work within DSIT and wider government to plan, develop and deploy effective and impactful policies and interventions.
Proactively manage short term tasks and requirements alongside longer-term strategic work.
Support the delivery of a forward work plan for the team that accounts for technological, geopolitical and security developments.
Build HMGs understanding and capabilities of Engineering biology’s convergence with AI.
Build relationships in and out of government, presenting policy and representing the team and DSIT values.
Develop clear policy positions, and drafting advice AI-Bio convergence and positioning for senior officials and Ministers.
Embody and role model DSIT values – think big, value people, create connections and cultivate curiosity.
Provide challenge to stakeholders, with an ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and succinctly to non-specialist audiences.
Respond effectively to urgent requests, managing competing priorities whilst driving forward work autonomously in a considered way.
Build rapport with a range of internal and external stakeholders, maintaining productive working relationships.