Policy Advisor

Job summary

DSIT

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.

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.

Please note

Former DSIT recruitment campaigns are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government moves and will ultimately be in one of the new departments. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

Job description

As a Policy Advisor, you will play an important role in a small, friendly team working on an exciting and fast-developing area of policy within the Digital Inclusion and Skills Directorate: helping people across the UK build the Essential Digital Skills they need for life and work.

You will take ownership of a range of Essential Digital Skills policy and delivery workstreams, coordinating cross-government activity, following up actions, and helping the team resolve issues as work progresses. Working closely with policy colleagues, analysts, external suppliers and a range of expert stakeholders and delivery partners, you will help support the design and delivery of the Essential Digital Skills National Survey, and turn evidence, insight and delivery issues into clear next steps.

The role offers the opportunity to lead and support engagement with a wide range of stakeholders across government, industry, civil society and academia. This will include planning and facilitating meetings and evidence-gathering activity, producing agendas and papers, capturing key findings, and making sure agreed actions are followed through.

You will contribute directly to the promotion and embedding of the refreshed Essential Digital Skills Framework and the delivery of the Essential Digital Skills Survey. You will help bring together research, analytical evidence and stakeholder insight to identify themes, gaps and trade-offs, and develop these into clear options and recommendations for senior decision-makers.

The postholder will work with colleagues across DCMS and with partners including the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions, who we work very closely with to align Essential Digital Skills across both education policy and employment support. The role will also support wider policy activity, including cross-government coordination, funding programmes, delivery pilots, Parliamentary Questions, correspondence, briefings and submissions to DCMS Ministers.

We are committed to supporting the successful candidate’s development. The role offers a strong mix of policy, delivery and stakeholder engagement experience, with opportunities to take ownership of work, develop high-quality advice for senior decision-makers, and build confidence working across government and with external partners.

Person specification

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

- Support the promotion, and ongoing development of the Essential Digital Skills Framework and National Survey, bringing together research, analytical evidence, stakeholder insight and lessons from delivery activity to inform clear policy options and recommendations.

- Produce high-quality briefings, submissions, correspondence, Parliamentary Question responses, meeting readouts and policy materials for a range of audiences, including senior decision-makers.

- Lead stakeholder engagement and evidence-gathering activity, building productive relationships with partners across government, industry, civil society, academia and delivery organisations. This will include planning and facilitating meetings and workshops, producing papers and readouts, and progressing follow-up actions.

- Take ownership of projects that help embed the Essential Digital Skills Framework across government policy, services and programmes.

- Lead on the day-to-day management of programme planning tools, including the EDS Gantt chart, integrated delivery plan and tracking systems, adapting them as the programme evolves.

- Identify opportunities to improve programme processes, information management and ways of working, helping the team to work efficiently, collaborate effectively and deliver high-quality products.

Essential criteria assessed at application stage:

- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, maintain oversight of complex work, and deliver high-quality outputs to tight deadlines.

- Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain information clearly for different audiences and contribute to briefings, meeting notes and policy products.

- Good relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders across teams, departments and external organisations.

- Ability to manage a varied workload independently, prioritise tasks, stay organised and deliver to deadlines in a busy policy environment.

- A proactive and flexible approach, with a willingness to step in to support wider team priorities and help solve problems as they arise.

Desirable criteria

- Interest in digital inclusion, skills, education, employment support or related social policy areas, and a willingness to build knowledge of the Essential Digital Skills and wider digital and AI skills agenda.

- Experience of working in policy programme delivery, research, analysis or stakeholder engagement roles.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37