Head of Frontier AI Regulatory Framework
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 15th September 2024
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About the job
Job summary
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 |
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You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/
Job description
AI is bringing about huge changes to society, and it is our job as a team to work out how Government should respond. It’s a once-in-a-generation moment, and an incredibly fast-paced and exciting environment.
In the King’s speech, the Government committed to establish binding regulation on a small number of companies responsible for the most powerful AI systems in order to enhance safety. It has also committed to placing the AI Safety Institute on a statutory footing to strengthen its role. This will build on the voluntary agreements secured at the Bletchley and Seoul Summits.
This is a really exciting time to join the AI regulation team and a chance to gain a unique role right at the centre of driving forward this programme. As Head of the Frontier AI Regulatory Framework, you will lead the team responsible for delivering on this commitment – working out how to deliver on the Government’s ambitions to balance growth, innovation and safety while making sure our approach is targeted and future proof.
You will work in the AI Policy Directorate. We are a fun, vibrant Directorate committed to supporting our staff’s development and wellbeing, as well as delivering excellent work. We are keen to bring in new team members who will contribute to our friendly and inclusive Directorate culture. You will work closely alongside world leading technical experts in the AI Safety Institute – making sure policy work is informed by the latest science and cutting-edge expertise.
It’s also a crucial time for DSIT, which is expanding in scope – bringing in experts in digital, data and AI from the Government Digital Service, Central Digital and Data Office and i.AI. This will establish DSIT as the digital centre of government.
We welcome applications from individuals of all personal and professional backgrounds to play a key role in one of societies greatest changes. There are up to two roles available.
Whilst this role is advertised in our office locations UK-wide, extensive travel to London will be required.
Person specification
Key responsibilities:
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced leader to head up the Frontier AI Regulatory Framework team. The team is responsible for designing and delivering the rules that govern frontier AI. The successful candidate should enjoy grappling with big, difficult questions as well as highly technical detail. They should feel comfortable leading a high performing team to deliver results often at pace and under high levels of scrutiny. They will be credible and confident representing their team and their work to a wide range of external and senior stakeholders.
As Head of the Frontier AI Regulatory framework team, they will be part of the senior leadership of the AI Regulation Deputy Directorate. This team is responsible for one of the most exciting and dynamic policy areas in government.
As team leader, you will drive forward a vision for the frontier AI regulatory framework. You will line manage and develop Band A/Grade 7 team leaders, each of whom manage a number of H/SEOs. As team leader. you will be responsible for:
- Leading and inspiring a high performing team to deliver at pace and often under high levels of scrutiny, making sure everyone is delivering on their potential and is effectively line managed.
- Overseeing the team to develop evidence-based policy options to inform Ministers’ decisions on the overall approach of frontier AI regulation, ensuring trade-offs are exposed effectively and clarity around evidence gaps.
- Leading on key elements of the consultation on frontier AI regulation – making sure government’s proposed approach is clearly presented and a diverse range of stakeholder views inform government's approach.
- Working with Legal, the legislation team and other teams across Whitehall including No 10 and HMT to develop the proposed legislation.
- Representing government’s approach on frontier AI regulation at high profile external events and with senior stakeholders, including international.
Skills and experience:
Essential:
- Comfortable leading high-performing teams and delivering a large portfolio of impactful work through others in fast-paced and ambiguous environments.
- Confident in communicating complex concepts concisely and clearly in both written and verbal form for diverse audiences, often a short notice.
- Track record of quickly building strong, highly collaborative relationships and influencing senior stakeholders internally and externally.
- Strong decision-making and judgement, and ability to develop highly technical, evidence-based policy or strategy recommendations to drive decision-making.
- Committed to supporting the team’s wellbeing, morale and professional development.
- Experience of designing and developing regulatory policy.
Desirable:
- Understanding of AI policy environment.
- Experience working on legislation.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
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 average employer contribution of 27%.
- 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.
Office attendance
The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please use your personal statement (in no more than 1000 words) to provide evidence of your professional skills and experience, which meet the Essential skills and experience criteria in the person specification set out in the job advertisement.
In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The interview will consist of behaviour questions.
Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time.
Sift and interview dates
Expected Timeline subject to change
Sift dates: w/c 16/09/2024
Interview dates: w/c 23/09/2024
Interview Location: MS Teams.
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Reasonable Adjustment
We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.
Information about the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and some examples of adjustments that we offer to disabled candidates and candidates with long-term health conditions during our recruitment process can be found in our DSIT Candidate Guidance. A DSIT Plain Text Version of the guidance is also available.
We encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Further Information
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
A location based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Any move to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).
DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances 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-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
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.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Lizzie Greenhalgh
- Email : lizzie.greenhalgh@dsit.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dsitresourcing.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
