Summary

The Conservative manifesto committed to legislate to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online – protecting children from online abuse and harms, protecting the most vulnerable from accessing harmful content, and ensuring there is no safe space for terrorists to hide online – but at the same time defending freedom of expression and in particular recognising and defending the invaluable role of a free press. This commitment sits at the heart of DCMS’ objective to make sure that the internet works for everyone - businesses, citizens and society as a whole.

Within the directorate, our policy teams are responsible for developing policy for the new Online Safety framework and passage of the Online Safety Bill. We are looking for a high-performing policy professional to join our team to lead work on priority areas of the Bill, including enforcement. This an exciting opportunity to experience putting a groundbreaking, complex Bill through Parliament and shape the future of digital regulation.

We are a warm and welcoming team with a vibrant and inclusive culture. We come from a range of personal and professional backgrounds, and diversity is a core value for us. We particularly encourage applications from people with minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, women, LGBT+ people, and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Job description

Policy leads are each responsible for a number of workstreams which cover some of the most complex and high-profile policy issues as we finalise the Online Safety Bill and put it through Parliament. These roles will cover a number of priority policy areas to support the passage of the Bill, and will react to public interest and challenge as the Bill progresses. This includes issues of substantial Parliamentary and public interest, and will include working at pace to deliver clear and effective policy responses on a range of challenging issues. In particular, we are looking for two ambitious Band As to head up our enforcement and technology policy workstreams.

Enforcement: Enforcement and appeals are essential to ensuring that the regulator has powers to take effective enforcement action, that are technically possible to implement, proportionate and create a level playing between companies in scope of the regime. The policy lead for on all aspects of establishing the appeals mechanism in legislation, will ensure that the legislation provides an accessible route of appeal to stakeholders.

Technology: Working closely with colleagues responsible for regulatory policy, working with industry and national security, this workstream looks at how shaping the Bill to embed effective use of technologies can support continued growth in the Safety Tech sector while creating a safer online environment which respects and upholds privacy and champions free expression.

The roles involve a broad range of policy development, collaboration with lawyers, stakeholder engagement, cross-Whitehall coordination and parliamentary work. You will need to work very closely with colleagues leading other policy areas. You will have significant exposure to Ministers, parliamentarians and senior officials, as well as industry, civil society and regulators. We want someone who develops solutions to complex problems, asks difficult questions, and thinks creatively. You will be enthusiastic and committed to collaborating across the team, supporting others, and working flexibly in response to changing business needs. You will be a strategic thinker and able to manage and prioritise multiple policy strands at once.

When applying for these roles, note that you will be asked at interview stage which would be your preference if successful.

Responsibilities

You will lead policy for enforcement and technology policy of the online safety regulatory framework as we finalise the Bill and put it through Parliament. Your key responsibilities will be:

-Developing and adapting policy positions, working closely across DCMS and Whitehall, and with external stakeholders, to develop clear, strategically-aligned recommendations for ministers. Working closely with DCMS and drafting lawyers to ensure policy is reflected fully in legislation. Providing regular written and oral advice to Ministers and DCMS SCS.

-Leading engagement with key stakeholders on scope, and defending positions and mitigating concerns. Key stakeholders include Ofcom and the Home Office, as well as other government departments, industry, civil society, and academia.

-Working closely with Ofcom to lay the ground for successful implementation of legislation, including supporting them to build expertise and relationships and guarantee the feasibility of the regime.

-Working with the Bill Team to lead policy inputs on scope during drafting of legislation and amendments. Leading policy inputs to parliamentary briefing and engagement on scope during passage of the Bill through parliament.

-Leading inputs for your policy areas in ongoing departmental business, such as responses to parliamentary inquiries, and overseeing relevant correspondence.

-Working closely with other DCMS teams to ensure regulation is strategically aligned.

-Managing and supporting the development of one Band B.

-Contributing to the corporate life of the directorate and actively furthering our supportive, inclusive culture.

Essential Requirements:

-Demonstrable experience conducting research and analysis to develop clear recommendations, and problem-solving skills to identify creative solutions to complex problems.

-Strong written and oral communication skills, including to senior stakeholders.

-Excellent organisational skills and flexibility in changing circumstances. Experience of managing multiple areas of work at once and prioritising effectively.

-Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills - building and maintaining strong links internally and externally, and managing conflicting opinions and priorities.

-Proven commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Desirable Skills:

-Knowledge and experience of one of the following: online safety policy, tech policy (including digital regulation), technology.

-Experience of developing and introducing legislation is desirable but not essential.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

You’ll receive over 30% of your total compensation package in benefits:

Flexible working arrangements and Flexi-time

26.5 days annual leave on entry increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service.

Exceptional contributory pension scheme

5 days of paid leave for L&D

3 days of paid volunteering

Parental leave up to 9 months on FULL pay

Occupational sick pay

Brilliant and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, BAME, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Women’s Network.

Access to one of the world’s largest learning and development platforms

Masterclasses and talks through the DCMS Academy

Season ticket loan, Cycle to work scheme and much more!

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check.

See our vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application process

We encourage all candidates to apply for this role.

To apply for this post, you will need to submit the following documentation to us. This should be completed no later than 10am on 4th January 2022 via the CS Jobs portal.

A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

A Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria listed in the ‘Essential Requirements and Desirable Skills’ section of this document.

A written example for the Behaviour: Making effective decisions (250 words)

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the essential requirements and desirable skills.

Part of the application process will require you to complete diversity questionnaire, you will have the option to select ‘prefer not to say’ but this information is very important to the Civil Service.

Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with: dcms.recruitment@cabinetoffice.gov.uk If you do not receive acknowledgement of your application within 48 hours, please contact the above email address.

Timelines are detailed in the candidate pack.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the applicationprocess. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Any move to DCMS from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at here

A reserve list will be held for 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

The expectation within DCMS is that staff will normally remain in post for a minimum of 12 months for band C, 18 months for band B and 24 months for band A/AU and will not apply for

DCMS roles on level transfer during that time.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

DCMS has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the candidate information pack.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Interviews are held remotely and successful candidates get to experience our bespoke remote on-boarding process. Although initially remotely, the role will be based at the location stated in this advert.

This role will be based in any one of DCMS's regional hubs. Hubs are currently based in London and Manchester, with further regional hubs set to be established in the near future. The hub locations this role is based in are displayed on the job advert. Not all hub locations yet have confirmed office space - successful applicants will be expected to work remotely until this becomes available

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via DCMSRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact (recruitment.team@dcms.gov.uk) in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/

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