Policy Advisor (Projects)

Job content

Location

Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham

Summary

About the job

The CDEI is an advisory body set up to investigate and advise on how to maximise the benefits of data-driven technology and AI. Its work is supported by an independent board of experts from across the industry, civil society, and academia with a dedicated team of 50 DCMS officials with expertise in data ethics and innovation. The Centre plays a vital role in shaping practical recommendations for the government, as well as advice for regulators, and industry, that support responsible innovation and help build a strong, trustworthy system of governance.

Job Description

We are looking for Policy Advisors to join our Project Pool. The roles will involve:

• Supporting projects and content development through detailed research, and developing policy advice, guidance and practical solutions that ensure AI and data-driven technology is developed and deployed responsibly. Some experience of project management is desirable.
• Acting as the subject matter expert on the projects you are assigned to, building in-depth knowledge of different fields (e.g. policing, defence or local government) and applying these insights to develop high quality, context-specific recommendations and outputs.
• Working closely with partners to take forward data-driven initiatives for the public good, and managing some stakeholder relationships.
  

Identifying new project opportunities and actively supporting the CDEI to maximise its impact across Government and beyond.

Please see the candidate information pack at the bottom of the page for examples of CDEI’s previous and current projects.

Responsibilities

• Delivering projects - Contributing to the successful delivery of projects, helping ensure they are completed on time and to a high standard. This will include working on several projects simultaneously, and working with different colleagues from across the project pool.
• Conducting high quality research - Understanding the impacts of data driven technologies across a range of contexts, using a range of research methods, and communicating research insights in compelling and accessible ways. Consider how findings from particular projects can be applied elsewhere to support other organisations to use data and AI responsibly.
• Convening stakeholders and engaging with partners - Bringing stakeholders together to investigate high profile issues and highlight areas of consensus and disagreement. Forming close working relationships with our project partners, and fostering valuable connections to industry, government and civil society.
• Championing the CDEI’s expertise - Communicating the findings of our project work to a wider audience, including through reports, briefing papers and speaking engagements.
• Contributing to the CDEI’s culture - Adding to the life and soul of the CDEI, taking time out of day to day duties to ensure the CDEI is an inclusive and purposeful place to work.
  

Person specification

Essential

We welcome applications from candidates of different backgrounds, including policy making, technology and ethics. The roles are compatible with flexible working patterns such as part-time working, or compressed hours e.g. to cater to caring and childcare responsibilities. You will need to demonstrate your skills and experience against the following criteria:

• Interest in the impacts and governance of data-driven technology such as artificial intelligence.
• Experience of conducting high quality research, generating insights and advice from a range of data sources.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills - capable of drafting reports and an ability to present complex information in a clear, effective manner.
• Ability to establish effective relationships with people in different roles and with varying perspectives.
• Capable of working independently under your own initiative.
  

Desirable

• Experience of project delivery and agile working.
• Experience of ‘red teaming’ or other methods of providing constructive challenge.
• Experience of stakeholder coordination and events planning.
• Experience of the use of futures methodologies to support policy work or decision-making within organisations.
  

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
  

Benefits

You’ll receive over 30% of your total compensation package in benefits:

Flexible working arrangements and Flexi-time

26.5 days annual leave on entry increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service.

Exceptional contributory pension scheme

5 days of paid leave for L&D

3 days of paid volunteering

Parental leave up to 9 months on FULL pay

Occupational sick pay

Brilliant and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, BAME, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Women’s Network.

Access to one of the world’s largest learning and development platforms

Masterclasses and talks through the DCMS Academy

Season ticket loan, Cycle to work scheme and much more!

SCS T&C’s will vary, please refer to the attached candidate information pack to find out more.

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check . See our vetting charter .

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

How To Apply

To apply for this post, you will need to submit the following documentation online via the CS Jobs portal, no later than 23:55 on Monday 19th July 2021.

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A Statement of Suitability (max word count: 750) explaining why you want the role and how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience relate to the requirements of the role paying particular reference to the criteria in the person specification. It is important that you provide evidence in your statement based on the criteria; we are not asking for evidence of the behaviours, this will be assessed at the interview stage.
  

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

Shortlist

At this stage, all personal identifying information about a candidate is hidden from the panel.

A panel, including the hiring manager, will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the person specification section of this pack. You should ensure that you address all criteria in order to provide the panel with enough supporting evidence as they review your application.

The interview

We are conducting video interviews as default at the present time. If you are invited to interview and this would prove challenging for you, please do contact the CDEI Operations team as soon as possible to see what alternatives may be available. We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are in place where required.

The interview will be a blended assessment consisting of a series of questions against the Civil Service Success Profiles: Experience, Behaviours and Strengths. Candidates may be asked to prepare a short presentation on a topic to be advised if/when invited to the interview stage. The behaviours to be assessed at interview are:

• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
  

The hiring manager will chair the panel and will provide assurance that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit and on the basis of fair and open competition.

We will notify all candidates invited to interview the outcome as soon as possible followed by some feedback.

If you are successful you may be invited to a second round of interviews.

Please see the candidate information pack and DCMS Terms and Conditions at the bottom of the page.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

A reserve list will be held for 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

The expectation within DCMS is that staff will normally remain in post for a minimum of 12 months for band C, 18 months for band B and 24 months for band A/AU and will not apply for DCMS roles on level transfer during that time.

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.

Interviews are held remotely and successful candidates get to experience our bespoke remote on-boarding process. Although initially remotely, the role will be based at the location stated in this advert

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only 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.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland /Access NI on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance 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 Pre-Employment.Checks@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Any move to DCMS will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Further information

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ’contact point for applicants’ section.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via DCMSRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality Requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .

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.