Head of Programme Development

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

You will lead the design and delivery of competitions under RIO's flagship Challenge Fund and support the development of future funding interventions. You will translate RIO's strategic priorities and evidence of regulatory need into credible, deliverable competitions, leading activity from early theme and policy development through business case, assurance, launch, assessment, award and initial mobilisation.

This is a high-profile role at the point where strategy becomes delivery. You will bring together policy, evidence, funding expertise and cross-government assurance to design interventions that are purposeful, proportionate and ready to implement.

Person specification

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and programme development

• Lead the policy development and strategic design of Challenge Fund competitions.
• Translate strategic priorities and evidence of regulatory need into clear competition themes, objectives, intended outcomes and a coherent rationale for intervention.
• Lead proportionate evidence gathering, stakeholder engagement and market testing, using the findings to refine scope and delivery choices.
• Assess whether funding is the appropriate intervention and advise senior leaders on alternatives, trade-offs, feasibility and risk.

Business case, assurance and competition design

• Develop business cases, delivery plans, governance arrangements and clear recommendations for senior decision-makers.
• Coordinate input and assurance from Finance, Commercial, Legal, Grants Hub, analysts and policy teams.
• Design proportionate eligibility, application, applicant-support, assessment, moderation and award arrangements.
• Oversee competition guidance, application materials, assessment criteria and funding documentation.
• Ensure due diligence, fraud risk, subsidy control, affordability and value for money requirements are addressed in the design.

Launch, assessment and mobilisation

• Lead competition launch and applicant engagement, maintaining a clear view of milestones, risks, dependencies and decisions.
• Coordinate assessor recruitment, training, assessment panels, moderation and award recommendations.
• Lead award and initial mobilisation activity, ensuring funded projects have clear expectations, controls and reporting arrangements.
• Work with the Head of Impact to embed theories of change, monitoring requirements, benefits evidence and evaluation considerations from the outset.
• Capture learning from each competition, apply it to future rounds and ensure an effective handover into live programme delivery.

Leadership and partnership

• Provide visible and inclusive leadership across the Capability function, setting clear priorities and creating an environment in which colleagues can raise risks and challenge constructively.
• Work closely with the other G7 Capability Leads to manage interfaces, resource pressures and peaks in activity, and to maintain continuity across priority workstreams.
• Line manage allocated SEO and/or HEO colleagues, with responsibility for objectives, performance, wellbeing and professional development.
• Build strong relationships across RIO, DSIT and external delivery partners, and represent the function in senior governance.
• Contribute to collective leadership and continuous improvement across the Capability and Impact team, deputising for the G6 and other G7 leads where required.

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

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Experience of leading the development of a complex policy intervention, funding programme or significant programme design activity from concept towards implementation.
• A strong ability to translate strategic objectives and evidence into clear policy choices, practical delivery models and credible recommendations.
• Experience of developing business cases, securing assurance or coordinating multidisciplinary input to reach a decision.
• Strong judgement, including making decisions and providing clear recommendations using incomplete or changing information.
• A track record of managing risks, dependencies, competing priorities and complex delivery challenges at pace.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including working with senior leaders, specialists and external partners.
• Effective people leadership, including setting direction, delegating responsibility and supporting the development and wellbeing of others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues and recommendations clearly.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of innovation, regulation, R&D, science and technology or economic growth policy.
• Experience of working with regulators, local authorities or arm’s-length bodies.
• Experience of designing government grants, competitions or other publicly funded interventions.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture