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. They then use this to both shape and implement HMG’s strategic approach to national security S&T. The agenda is driven by the operational and strategic challenges facing us and the post will work in close partnership with colleagues across the agencies. The CSA also provides advice to senior officials and Ministers across HMG and the wider national security community.
The new CSA will have broad reach and influence, and 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. Bringing insight, challenge and support to their thinking on future direction and ensuring decisions are underpinned by robust evidence.
- 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, and their collaboration initiatives, particularly in the areas of data, technology and innovation.
- Developing understanding of the international S&T landscape to help shape UK national security thinking, identify opportunities, and build collaboration with international partners (both government and industry).
- Supporting, coordinating, and ensuring the coherence of S&T research and development programmes across the community.
- Sponsoring innovation, including engagement with the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF).
- Collaborating with international partners (both government and industry partners) on science and technology developments.
- Overseeing the MI5, SIS, and GCHQ Scientific Advisory Council.
- Supporting relevant S&T professions across the agencies, being an advocate for staff and supporting their professional development and careers.
- Representing the GCSA and national security science in a range of HMG fora.
- Providing linkage to, and insight from, world leading research groups, academia and industry.
- Engaging thoroughly with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and the Chief Scientific Advisers network.
Aside from SRO responsibilities in relation to STEP, the CSA does not have wider executive responsibilities. The post is a member of all three agencies' Boards and participates in governance relevant to the strategic remit of the role.
Person specification
The successful candidate will be an excellent strategic leader who will embrace our mission, live our values and lead by example. They must be able to demonstrate their experience and skills against the following essential criteria:
- Credibility as a scientist, engineer or technologist, renowned in a relevant discipline (for example, maths, data science, engineering, technology, computer science or behavioural science).
- Thought leadership, and demonstrable commitment to an evidence-driven approach.
- Senior leadership experience, with evidence of providing inspiring leadership and coordinating and driving delivery across disparate teams and partners.
- Experience of collaborating with international partners on science and technology.
- The ability to operate effectively in a complex stakeholder environment, with evidence of strong collaboration and strategic influencing.
- A record of seeking out sources of innovation, and promoting innovation.
- Excellence in communication, able to connect across science, mission and policy communities.
- Committed to their own personal development, to growing capability in others, and to strongly 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
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. The closing date for applications is 11pm on Thursday 17th October 2024 , and all applications should be submitted via the link provided by this date.
Your application should demonstrate your motivation for applying as well as the essential criteria and any desirable skills as listed in the advert. We ask that you structure your statement with a sub-heading for each of the essential criteria, followed by evidence of how you meet that criterion.
Candidates will be informed as soon as possible thereafter if they have been selected to proceed. The selection process will comprise the following assessments:
- Staff Engagement Panel
- Technical Assessment
- Psychometric Assessments
For a confidential discussion about the role before applying please email
Terms of appointment
- A fixed term appointment of three years with the potential to be extended up to five years. A secondment will also be considered.
- Nationality and Security Clearance: 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).
- Please be aware that this role requires the successful candidate will be publicly avowed.
Rewards and Benefits
A range of benefits will be available to you, including the following:
- 30 Days Annual Leave, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
- Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
- 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. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for 7 out of the last 10 years.
Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside of the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application.
Discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.
Equal Opportunities
Diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions.
We’re Disability Confident
We are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people.
Right to Withdraw Statement
Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.
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