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://forms.office.com/e/Jae3B4w7xm
You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/
Job Description
The Security and Online Harms (SOH) Directorate led on the development and passage of the Online Safety Act (OSA) which introduces a range of measures to tackle online harms and makes the UK the safest place to be online. The directorate is now working on the implementation of the new laws and engaging with countries and institutions around the world to promote a safter environment. Security and Online Harms also leads the domestic response to countering information threats where they relate to public safety or national security.
SOH Is Seeking Five (5) HEOs To Deliver Its Ambitious Agenda Across a Number Of Areas, Ranging From Policy Development And Implementation, To Ensuring The Directorate Is Communicating Its Goals And Actions To The Public, And Across Government And The UK Parliament. This Includes The Following Roles:
We Are Looking For:
- Good communicators: able to convey and explain complex issues in simple ways, to both internal and external stakeholders.
- Delivery focused: enjoys achieving outcomes in a rigorous and time-sensitive way.
- Adaptable: can prioritise competing workloads depending on the needs of the team.
The Security and Online Harms (SOH) Directorate led on the development and passage of the Online Safety Act (OSA) which introduces a range of measures to tackle online harms and makes the UK the safest place to be online. The directorate is now working on the implementation of the new laws and engaging with countries and institutions around the world to promote a safter environment. Security and Online Harms also leads the domestic response to countering information threats where they relate to public safety or national security.
We Are Looking For:
- Good communicators: able to convey and explain complex issues in simple ways, to both internal and external stakeholders.
- Delivery focused: enjoys achieving outcomes in a rigorous and time-sensitive way.
- Adaptable: can prioritise competing workloads depending on the needs of the team.
Person specification
Find a short summary of each role's key responsibilities below:
- 2x Societal Harms Policy Advisors: supporting the team to develop and implement a policy platform designed to tackle information-based threats (including mis- and disinformation) to public safety. This will involve engaging with stakeholders across government, industry, academia, and civil society to better understand the drivers of harm in this area and formulate impactful measures in response.
- 1x OSA Implementation Policy Advisor: responsible, along with their SEO line manager, for maintaining up-to-date core lines for SOH, including for use in response to Oral Parliamentary Questions, Prime Minister's Questions, and other parliamentary events of relevance. The successful candidate will be for running SOH's day-to-day reporting to the National Audit Office/Public Accounts Committee and engagement with Ofcom.
- 1x SOH Business Manager: supports SOH's senior leadership team by managing workforce planning, finance, and business‑critical processes to ensure smooth and effective operations. They will play a critical role in the running of a high-profile and fast-moving policy team
- 1x SOH Briefings Lead: responsible for drafting briefings, correspondence, and responses to Parliamentary Questions. This is an important role within a high-profile and fast-moving area, and we'd like the successful candidate to harness AI tools to improve existing processes.
Essential Criteria
- You will be confident at working independently to drive forward work.
- You will have excellent organisational skills and be able to deliver high quality work at pace, whilst managing competing deadlines.
- You will be confident using data and information from a range of sources to reach credible conclusions.
- You will be skilled in explaining complex and technical concepts in a clear and accessible way, both verbally and in writing.
- You will also need to be able to build and maintain strong relationships with senior colleagues and external stakeholders.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience working on digital or legislative policy.
- Experience working with senior or external stakeholders.
- Experience delivering effective internal operations, especially through the use of automation and artificial intelligence.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
Alongside your salary of £33,015, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £9,564 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 employer contribution of 28.97%.
- 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.
Apply before 5:00 pm on Tuesday 17th March 2026
