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URN 558 - Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology, Member (x3)

Body: Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology
Appointing Department: Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Sector: Science & Technology
Location: London
Number of Vacancies: 3
Remuneration: Membership is not remunerated except for reasonable travel and subsistence costs related to Council business. 
Time Requirements: 1- 2 days per month. 

Campaign Timeline

  • Competition Launched

    17th May 2022

  • Closed for Applications

    29th June 2022

  • Panel Sift

    w/c 25th July 2022

  • Final Interview Date

    w/c 29th August 2022

  • Announcement

    November 2022

 

Assessment Panel

Vacancy Description

The Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology (CST) provides independent advice to the Prime Minister and government on the implications of science and research, engineering and technology. It reports directly to the Prime Minister on matters of science and technology that cut across the responsibilities of government departments. It is co-chaired by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and an independent appointee.

CST works across a wide range of areas of science and technology relevant to national priorities. Recent advice has covered how government can take a systems approach to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, how to boost private sector investment in R&D and how science and technology can help to address regional economic disparities across the UK.

Further information about the Council for Science and Technology can be found here.

The Role

The role of CST members is to draw on their experience as a senior leader within business, academia, finance or the voluntary sector to bring a variety of perspectives on science and technology issues to help Government in developing and delivering sound evidence-based policy. The Council members work on a wide breath of issues and will need the ability to work across disciplines. The Council will consult regularly with Government on its work programme.

Person Specification

Members will be expected to contribute actively to both the Council’s policy agenda and to nurture links across the Council’s extensive network of senior stakeholders. They will need to work effectively with, and command the confidence of, the Prime Minister, Cabinet and Government Ministers, and those at the highest level within the research community, business and the public services. Members are encouraged to draw on their experience to provide independent critical thought across the breadth of the Council’s activity.

Members of CST are appointed as individuals. Members are not appointed as representatives of their particular profession, employer or interest group, and have a duty to act in the public interest. Members must at all times observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to the advice they provide.

Criteria

We are seeking candidates that demonstrate the following criteria:

Essential:

  • Lead Criteria: Credibility at national level in their specific fields (whether business, the not-for-profit sector, or academia);
  • The ability to develop a strategic understanding of the policy issues relating to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM);
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to develop and influence senior networks across government and with relevant stakeholders;
  • Ability to operate at the interface between disciplines, bring together different perspectives, evaluate options and to develop evidence-based solutions;
  • Personal and political sensitivity when working with colleagues, government, and external parties.

Desirable:

  • Previous experience of working with or advising government would be helpful.
  • Specific expertise and knowledge in an area relevant to CST’s future work: Economic and social science, innovation policy.
  • Entrepreneurial or commercial experience, including leading business innovation or system transformation in sectors such as engineering and manufacturing, energy, transport or life sciences.

Please note – If there are a large number of applicants the sift will be assessed against the essential lead criteria.

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be encouraged to take up their appointment as soon as possible, following the successful completion of pre-appointment checks and security clearance.

If you are shortlisted for the role, due diligence will be carried out.

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration the candidate(s) will need to be a UK National / or Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK / or Nationals of the Republic of Ireland.

How to Apply

Your application is submitted in two parts.

Both parts must be submitted by 23:00 on 29 June 2022 in order for your application to be considered complete. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Part one: CV and Statement of Suitability

  • One document combining a two-page statement of suitability and two-page CV (no more than four sides of A4 in total). The key to a good application is to give the reader specific information about how you meet the criteria for appointment. Think about your knowledge, skills, experience and personal attributes, and take full advantage of the space available. Provide practical evidence that best demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria
  • Save the document as ‘Surname, First initial – URN558 – Council for Science and Technology.
  • Send to publicappointments@beis.gov.uk with URN558 – Council for Science and Technology in the subject heading.

Part two: Diversity Monitoring and Conflict of Interest Form.

  • Complete this form.
Attachments
BEIS-Public-Appointments-Privacy-Notice
558 CST Members x3 Candidate Information Pack

This post is NOT regulated by The Commissioner for Public Appointments.

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