Senior Policy Adviser, DSIT Spending Principal

Are you look for a fantastic opportunity working on a priority agenda for the government in boosting UK growth and productivity across the country ahead of the next spending review? If so, we’d love to hear from you !

About the Team

Science, innovation and digital technology transform how we live and work. This brings new opportunities to unlock economic growth, improve productivity and create high skilled jobs. The UK is already a global leader, and with the right policy can go even further to unleash the benefits of frontier science and technology.

The Science, Technology and Access to Finance (STAF) team advises on how to make the most of this opportunity. We develop policy and oversee government spending on wider science Research & Development (R&D) and innovation policy, technology, access to finance and digital infrastructure. We also deliver wider spending control for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). These are top priorities for the Chancellor and Prime Minister, and require close work with teams across government, particularly in DSIT, Cabinet Office and No.10.

In delivering on this important agenda, the STAF team is responsible for Treasury policy on the government’s priority technologies. These technologies hold exciting potential for scientific breakthroughs, business innovation and public sector productivity which are likely to transform society over the next couple of years.

The team also leads on access to finance, including managing the Treasury’s relationship with the British Business Bank and delivering key policies announced by the Chancellor to unlock more investment into the UK’s most innovative companies.

About the Job

As the Spending Principal for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) you will hold responsibility for overseeing the entire portfolio of DSIT spending; react rapidly to emerging, often high-profile issues; and provide advice to the Chancellor, Chief Secretary and senior Treasury officials on DSIT spending issues.

In this role, you will work closely with Department of Science, Innovation and Technology to :

·      Deliver the next multi-year spending review .

·      Build strong and collaborative relationships.

·      Lead on DSIT spending control and analysis .

·      Lead on life sciences manufacturing policy across the Treasury.

For a more detailed list of key accountabilities please review the job advert on Civil service Jobs

About You

You will be able to interrogate spending and investment proposals, applying sound judgement where data is incomplete, or evidence gaps are missing; work flexibly and collaboratively across the Treasury and with DSIT, building strong and productive relationships to inform and shape the team’s work, inviting challenge where appropriate; pick up new policy ideas quickly and ensure work reflects the team’s strategic priorities and provide great line management and leadership across the team.

Some of the Benefits our people love!

·      25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant). Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month.

·      Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)

·      Generous parental and adoption leave packages.

·      Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 28%

·      Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances.

·      A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity

For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please tell us about this in your online application form,