Telecoms Economic Security Policy Adviser

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.

Please note

Former DSIT recruitment campaigns are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government moves and will ultimately be in one of the new departments. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

Job description

The UK’s economy and national security is highly dependent on secure telecommunications networks and services. Communications (including telecoms) is one of the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure sectors that are vital to maintaining our day-to-day life.

The role sits within the Telecoms Economic Security team in the Telecoms Security and Resilience unit which works to improve the security and resilience of telecoms critical national infrastructure. The team is responsible for ensuring that the sector is in the strongest position to provide safe and reliable telecoms services for the UK by mitigating and responding to the evolving threat landscape.

The Telecoms Economic Security team manages risk to UK telecoms through powers under the:
- Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 that can limit the use of high-risk vendors in the supply chain, and the
- National Security and Investment Act 2021 that scrutinises investments to the sector that could pose national security risks.

The role is rewardingly varied, comprising a mix of strategic work, policy advice, and investigative casework. It involves understanding national security risks, working with the telecoms sector on mitigations, advising Ministers, and overseeing compliance and enforcement of specific cases. We work very closely with the UK intelligence community (UKIC) and with central Government departments to consider implications for trade, business and diplomatic relations related to casework decisions.

The work requires strategic thinking, organised delivery at pace, sound judgement in complex and ambiguous environments, and the ability to influence effectively across organisational boundaries. You will have strong communication skills, good ability to work with technical information, political awareness and be comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders. You will be confident working in fast-paced and evolving environments, managing challenging relationships, and driving progress through collaboration and persuasion.
We prioritise ensuring that Telecoms Security and Resilience is an excellent and inclusive place to work. The team and wider unit are high-performing, friendly and welcoming, with a culture of supporting learning and development.

Person specification

The G7 Senior Telecoms Economic Security Policy Adviser will have responsibilities to:

• Develop our strategic approach to the management of high-risk vendors in the telecoms sector.

• Lead on the assessment of potential high-risk vendors in the telecoms sector under the powers in the Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021.

• Support investment security casework under the National Security and Investment Act 2021 powers, with mergers and acquisitions subject to scrutiny from a national security viewpoint.

• Work with legal, analysis and policy teams to advise Ministers on cases. You will regularly brief senior officials ahead of key decisions.

• Monitor compliance, including working with Ofcom and operators to understand implementation challenges, and lead on enforcement considerations in the case of non-compliance.

The role will combine policy development and analysis, engagement with the telecoms industry, engagement with UKIC and cross-government departments, and regular working with senior civil servants and Ministers.

Further role specifics and leadership opportunities across the team’s economic security remit will be based on the candidate’s skills and experience.

As a line manager, you will be responsible for working with your members of staff to define their objectives, as well as managing their development and performance.

Essential Criteria

• Seeing the bigger picture – the post holder must evaluate and understand how their work fits into wider national security, economic and digital priorities.

• Communicating and influencing skills – the post holder must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, be able to simplify and articulate complex, often technical or legislative, information to influence others and have an ability to adjust messaging to different audiences

• Problem solving and decision-making skills – ability to think creatively and use evidence effectively in developing policy and making decisions

• Organisational skills – the post holder must be able to plan and prioritise work effectively and adapt to competing agendas, with an ability to work under time pressure, for example in statutory, ministerial or casework contexts.

Desirable Criteria

• Understanding of, or ability to rapidly develop expertise in, the UK telecoms landscape and its associated economic security, regulatory and resilience challenges.

• Experience managing sensitive or high profile work, ideally involving national security, regulatory compliance, investment security or vendor risk management.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,620, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £17,851 towards you being a m