Chief Scientific Adviser (National Security) Ref. 3343
Department: Specialist Roles
Location(s): London, Manchester or Cheltenham with frequent travel between sites
Contract Type: Fixed Term or Secondment
Hours of Work: Full Time – office based with occasional flexibility for home working
Salary: Up to £156,163 annual salary; NSP £4,630, plus London Pay Addition of £6,250 (if applicable)
The Role
Chief Scientific Advisers (CSA) perform an independent challenge function, ensuring that science and engineering research, evidence and advice is robust, relevant and high quality. They bring scientific and engineering evidence to key decision-making, provide oversight and assurance of science and engineering capability and activities in their department.
The Chief Scientific Adviser for National Security (CSA) leads on advice and delivery of science and technology (S&T) for the three security and intelligence agencies: MI5, SIS (MI6) and GCHQ, with the post reporting to Director GCHQ. This includes overseeing UKIC’s major S&T transformation effort via the Science, Technology and Engineering Programme (STEP).
As a member of the Government Chief Scientific Adviser’s (GCSA) team, they also provide strategic advice on national security S&T in HMG and the wider national security community. The CSA engages widely with academia, international partners and industry to access and influence the best thinking and innovation to address national security problems.
The CSA will be responsible for:
- Providing strategic S&T advice to the three intelligence agency heads (Director GCHQ, DG MI5 and ‘C’) and working in partnership with their leadership teams.
- Fulfilling the role of Senior Responsible Officer for STEP; UKIC’s major transformation effort.
- Bringing S&T to bear on our sharpest problems, by connecting closely into mission, capability and enabling teams across the agencies.
- Advising on the direction of the agencies’ organisational strategies, particularly in the areas of data, technology and innovation.
- Developing understanding of the international S&T landscape to help shape UK national security thinking.
- Supporting, coordinating, and ensuring the coherence of S&T research and development programmes.
- Sponsoring innovation, including engagement with the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF).
- Collaborating with international partners on science and technology developments.
- Overseeing the MI5, SIS, and GCHQ Scientific Advisory Council.
- Supporting relevant S&T professions across the agencies.
- Representing the GCSA and national security science in a range of HMG fora.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will be an excellent strategic leader who embraces our mission and leads by example. They must demonstrate experience and skills against the following essential criteria:
- Credibility as a scientist, engineer or technologist in a relevant discipline.
- Thought leadership, and commitment to an evidence-driven approach.
- Senior leadership experience with evidence of inspiring leadership.
- Experience of collaborating with international partners on science and technology.
- Ability to operate effectively in a complex stakeholder environment.
- A record of promoting innovation and tackling challenges.
- Excellence in communication across science, mission and policy communities.
- Commitment to personal development and promoting diversity and inclusion.
Competencies
You will be assessed against the following competences at SCS3/Director General:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Collaboratively
- Communicating and Influencing
- Driving Innovation and Change
- Delivering Outcomes
How to Apply and the Selection Process
The closing date for applications is 11pm on Thursday 17th October 2024 . Your application should demonstrate your motivation for applying as well as the essential criteria.
The selection process will comprise the following assessments:
- Staff Engagement Panel
- Technical Assessment
- Psychometric Assessments
Terms of Appointment
- A fixed term appointment of three years with the potential to be extended.
- Agency Developed Vetting will be required.
- Remuneration up to £156,163 annual salary; NSP £4,630, plus London Pay Addition of £6,250 (if applicable).
- This role requires the successful candidate to be publicly avowed.
Rewards and Benefits
A range of benefits will be available, including:
- 30 Days Annual Leave, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Cycle to work scheme
- Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
- Paid parental and adoption leave.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply, you must meet our residency criteria. You must be a born or naturalised British citizen and have been resident in the UK for 7 out of the last 10 years.
Equal Opportunities
Diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. We welcome applications from everyone, including those from under-represented groups.
We’re Disability Confident
We aim to offer a person-to-person interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role.
Right to Withdraw Statement
We withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role once a certain number of applications have been received.
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