IMPACTFUL GOVERNMENT CAREERS
Salary Range:
National: £61,580 - £70,890; London: £65,995 - £73,440
Department and Location:
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Manchester
Advert Closing Date:
5/11/2023
Contract Type:
Permanent
Available Working Pattern:
Flexible Working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Civil Service Jobs Reference:
321467
Job Description:
The Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology (CST) is one of the most senior independent scientific advisory bodies in the UK. It provides advice directly to the Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers on major, cross-departmental science and technology issues. Recent advice has included how the UK can strengthen its role as a science superpower, opportunities to capture economic and social impact from engineering biology and increasing access to finance to allow innovative UK companies to scale up. The Council is supported by a secretariat team that sits in the Government Office for Science.
The Secretary to CST heads up the secretariat team and works closely with the CST co-chairs (Professor Dame Angela McLean and Lord Browne of Madingley). They ensure that advice provided to the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers is relevant and timely. They drive engagement between policy officials and CST members to identify opportunities for CST to advise on and influence implementation of the CST advice. Ultimately, they help to shape strategy and thinking across UK government.
Person Specification:
You should be an experienced leader, confident in communicating to the highest levels of UK government and externally. You must be able to work at pace and able to deliver against a challenging and wide-ranging remit.
Essential
• Excellent leadership and management skills including evidence of building diverse and inclusive teams, providing strategic direction, managing competing priorities, and mentoring and inspiring others.
• Understanding of the UK science, technology, and innovation landscape.
• Experience of providing written and oral advice to ministers and senior audiences and a proven ability to communicate clearly, succinctly and persuasively.
• Strong analytical skills and experience of developing evidence-based policy and/or delivering a service to inform policy.
• A track record in establishing networks and collaborative relationships within and outside government.
• Experience of delivering continuous improvement activities.
Desirable
• Experience of secretariat support (such as advisory committees or private office) or delivery of services to a senior board.