Policy Adviser
- Civil Service
- Part Time
- Birmingham
- 37,655 - 44,595
Job Description
Job summary
At DSIT were all about improving peoples 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 Governments 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 peoples lives. Whether its 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 Governments 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 Directorate is now working on the implementation of these new laws, and is engaging with countries and institutions around the world to promote a safer environment.
The SOH Directorate is looking to appoint five enthusiastic and proactive Higher Executive Officers (HEO) to join the Directorate as Policy Advisers across both the Public Safety and Information Resilience Team, and the Strategy and Analysis Team.
The Public Safety Team works on some of the Governments most high-profile online safety issues, developing policy to tackle online harms that impact social cohesion, and that respond to public safety incidents. The Team is also part of the cross-Government Joint Team on Pornography, contributing to the response to recommendations raised in Baroness Bertins Independent Pornography Review.
The Information Resilience Team delivers long-term policy initiatives to make audiences more resilient online. This includes work increasing media literacy across the UK and delivering commitments in the Protecting What Matters Action Plan.
The Strategy and Analysis Team provides strategic coordination across the SOH Directorate, leading stakeholder engagement and ministerial and parliamentary business to support online safety policy delivery.
Person specification
SOH is seeking four (4) HEOs to deliver its ambitious agenda across two key policy areas within its Public Safety and Information Resilience Team, and one (1) HEO to support the Directorates stakeholder engagement as part of the Strategy and Analysis Team:
In the Public Safety Team:
- 2x Pornography Review Policy Advisers
In the Strategy and Analysis Team:
- 1 x Stakeholder Engagement role
Find a short summary of each roles key responsibilities below:
2x Pornography Review Policy Advisers: In December 2025, the Government announced the creation of a cross-Government Joint Team on Pornography (DCMS, Home Office, MOJ, and then-DSIT). Earlier this year, during passage of the Crime and Policing Bill, the Joint Team committed to presenting a Delivery Plan to Parliament by October 2026, setting out how the Government can tackle harms arising from online pornography through achieving greater parity between the regulation of offline and online pornography. The successful candidates will support the Joint Team to implement the Delivery Plan. This will involve engaging with a wide range of industry stakeholders and Parliamentarians to design and deliver key aspects of the Plan.
1x Societal Harms Policy Adviser: The team is developing and implementing policy solutions to protect the online information environment from threats to public safety and social cohesion. This includes improving our understanding the drivers of hateful and violent content online, and developing ways to stop people being able to profit from the creation and dissemination of harmful content. This successful candidate will support this work, which will include engaging with stakeholders across government, industry, academia, and civil society to better understand the drivers of harm in this area and formulate impactful measures in response.
1x Information Resilience Role: The Information Resilience policy team is responsible for strategic policy to counter online information threats, including leading the governments policy and delivery of its approach to media literacy. Following the Governments announcement of a social media ban for u16s, the Government committed to ensuring children and young people still have access to trusted, high-quality information to support their wellbeing, learning, and development. The successful candidate will support work to develop a shared cross government view on what categories of high-quality content children should have access to; develop initiatives in partnership with civil society, industry and subject matter experts to ensure this content is available and easily visible; and develop new guidance for parents and children on identifying positive content and using trusted sources. This will involve working closely with other government departments and a wide range of stakeholders across industry, civil society, and academia.
1 x Stakeholder Engagement role: As part of the Strategy and Analysis team within the Security and Online Harms Directorate, this role will support the Directorate's stakeholder engagement, ministerial and parliamentary work on high-profile online safety policy issues, including implementation of the Online Safety Act. The successful candidate will be required to draft high-quality briefings for senior officials and Ministers, including responses to Parliamentary Questions and stakeholder engagement commissions. They will work across the Directorate to coordinate contributions from policy teams and other government departments, manage incoming commissions and engage with Private Offices. The role holder will also help coordinate stakeholder engagement across the Directorate, maintaining robust records and supporting effective oversight of engagement activity. The role requires strong organisational and communication skills, and the ability to build effective working relationships.
Essential Criteria
For all roles:
- You will be confident at working independently to drive forward work.
Desirable Criteria
For all roles:
- Experience working on digital or legislative policy.
