Internet Resilience Policy Adviser

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Darlington, London

About the job

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. 

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. 

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 and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Find Out More 

We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application and interview process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://buytickets.at/departmentforsciencetechnologyandinnovation/1025519 

You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/ 

Job description

The Telecoms Resilience and Incident Management team is leading government’s effort to ensure the UK’s core digital infrastructure is secure and resilient. Our modern way of life is built upon the internet underpinned by a complex digital core network whose infrastructure is inherently fragmented and international. If the benefits of global connectivity are to be realised, we need to understand and manage risks to its security and resilience.

This is a challenging but extremely exciting role. You will deliver policies to ensure the security, resilience and availability of internet and critical national infrastructure. This portfolio involves addressing technical internet policy issues whilst producing and maintaining robust and resilient cables incident protocols.

The role provides regular opportunities to contribute to cross-Government resilience priorities, engage with colleagues across Government, security agencies and industry experts to support the emergency response to any major loss of telecoms services in the UK. 

Person specification

Key responsibilities

In this role you will work on the following areas:

• Develop a good understanding of the essential functions that internet infrastructure provides in the UK, and the key systems and dependencies it needs to operate effectively.
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders across government and industry and engage with other critical national infrastructure sectors.
• Engage in research, investigation and analysis to draft papers and submissions for senior management and Ministers, outlining potential internet resilience policy options.
• Provide support in response to emergency telecoms and internet related incidents.
• Support the review of the UK’s capability to maintain and repair subsea fibre-optic cables, so that government has the assurance that internet services can remain uninterrupted.
• Contribute to resolving policy issues that directly align with the team and the wider department’s core objectives.
• Support the development of the UK telecommunications sector’s plans to adapt to challenges brought by Climate Change, contributing to the UK’s National Adaptation Programme.

Skills and experience

Successful candidates will demonstrate the following key skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Ability to work autonomously, with excellent workload management and prioritisation skills to manage competing demands.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to analyse and explain complex information to senior officials and stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills, to establish and manage excellent working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and organisations.
• Confident in problem solving, with experience using complex information in order to enable effective decision making.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work to deadlines.

Desirable Criteria:

The following skills and experience are welcome but are not essential:

• Experience or demonstrated interest in National Security and/or Internet Policy

Please note: this role requires DV clearance, or a willingness to undergo DV clearance.

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,745, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £8,571 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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 average employer contribution of 27%.
• 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. 

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 :

• Name : Tolani George
• Email : tolani.george2@dsit.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dsitresourcing.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

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 DSITrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk . 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

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