Senior Policy Advisor (Impact)

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 Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) is expanding its impact capability and is recruiting two Senior Policy Advisors to help establish and deliver a new organisation-wide impact function.

Both roles will support the development of theories of change, evaluation frameworks, monitoring approaches and impact evidence. Together they will help ensure RIO can demonstrate the real-world difference made by its funding programmes, policy interventions and wider regulatory activity.

Person specification

Successful candidates will be appointed into one of two complementary portfolios.

Role A: Funding Programme Evaluation and Benefits

Main responsibilities:

• Lead evaluation activity across RIO funding programmes, including the Regulator’s Pioneer Fund (RPF), the AI Capability Fund (AICF), Priority Projects and future grant programme activity.
  
• Develop and maintain programme theories of change.
  
• Design monitoring, evaluation and benefits realisation frameworks.
  
• Establish baselines, indicators and evidence requirements.
  
• Coordinate evaluation delivery and manage external evaluation support where required.
  
• Support programme teams to strengthen data collection and evaluation capability.
  
• Lead longer-term follow-up and learning activity across funding portfolios.

Role B: Wider RIO Impact and Portfolio Evidence

Main responsibilities:

• Support policy and programme teams to develop theories of change and impact plans for non-funding interventions.
  
• Conduct evidence reviews and impact stocktakes across RIO activity.
  
• Develop practical tools, templates and guidance to improve impact practice.
  
• Produce impact case studies and support development of contribution claims.
  
• Synthesise evidence across multiple interventions and programmes.
  Develop portfolio-level impact reporting products.
  
• Support strategic priority projects through targeted impact deep-dives and evidence gathering.

Common responsibilities for both SEO posts:

• Support implementation of RIO's impact framework.
  
• Develop monitoring indicators and evidence plans.
  
• Undertake qualitative and quantitative analysis.
  
• Produce briefing materials and advice for senior stakeholders.
  
• Work collaboratively with policy, programme, analytical and regulator-facing teams.
  
• Contribute to development of RIO's wider impact capability and evidence culture.

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

You will demonstrate:

• Experience of delivering high-quality policy, programme, research, evaluation or analytical work.
  
• Ability to assess evidence, identify key insights and translate them into clear, practical recommendations.
  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including explaining complex information clearly to different audiences.
  
• Ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively across teams and functions.
  
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver work at pace.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of theories of change, evaluation methods, monitoring or benefits realisation.
  
• Experience of grants, funding programmes, innovation or regulatory policy.
  
• Experience developing indicators, monitoring frameworks or outcome measures.
  
• Experience commissioning or managing research or evaluation.

Behaviours

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

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

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,620, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £12,926 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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 employer contribution of 28.97%.
• 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.
• A hybrid office/home based wo