The Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) is seeking a successful and engaging leader, with a track record of significant achievement and delivery at scale in a scientific or technology based organisation to appoint to the newly created role of Chief Scientific and Technology Adviser for Northern Ireland (CSTA).

The CSTA will lead the NICS in science and technology matters, delivering critical advice to policy and decision makers. This will be vital in delivering against the Department for the Economy’s 10X Economic Vision with science, technology, innovation and research and development key priorities for the 10X strategy.

The experience of the global pandemic has demonstrated the crucial need for strategic scientific and technological advice to be available to the Executive and senior decision makers. This will be achieved through placing science and technology at the heart of the organisation’s decision-making apparatus, as well as ensuring that NI is more fully connected to developments across the UK by having the expertise and capacity to participate and shape national and international programmes.

The successful candidate will be an employee of The Executive Office, working at ‘arm’s length’ in an Office of Innovation and reporting directly to the Head of the NI Civil Service (HOCS).

Job Description

  • Chief Independent Adviser on all strategic issues, opportunities and risks in science and technology for the Executive and for the Civil Service Board.
  • Working with departmental scientific advisers to ensure appropriate scientific advice and guidance for the Civil Service.
  • Providing an independent science and technology view on relevant UK, ROI and wider international policy development, ensuring that local policy development identifies opportunities and maximises potential benefits from funding programmes.
  • Leveraging existing relationships and establishing new ones with industry and academia to create an effective network of science and technology leaders across government, industry and academia to influence research and development, science, and innovation and technological success across NI and to ensure that we have a coherent, joined-up approach which delivers best value from existing and emerging opportunities
  • Participating in the UK Chief Scientific Adviser Network, ensuring we are able to take part in relevant national and international programmes and that critical information and latest thinking are shared with the NI science and technology leaders’ network.
  • Meeting with Ministers and Chief Scientific Advisers in UK Government and the Devolved Administrations, and working to increase the Devolved Administration’s access to key forums.
  • Working with senior leaders in Civil Service departments to improve policy formulation by providing science and technology based evidence and support to those departments without access to direct advice on science and technology.
  • Providing challenge and refinement of policies where appropriate.
  • Supporting the development of world-class research and research funding opportunities through cross functional awareness and collaboration, and introducing new approaches to problem solving and science funding applications.
  • Strengthening cross-departmental collaboration and development of science and technology capability across NI departments, working with departmental Chief Scientific Advisers and leaders. Encouraging NI departments and agencies to co-ordinate and share expertise, equipment and facilities to improve efficiencies and avoid duplication.
  • As Head of Science and Engineering Profession for the Civil Service, working across the Civil Service departments to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) e.g. encourage greater uptake of careers in STEM fields in women and girls.
  • Championing NI as a destination for high value research and development investment and ensuring it is embedded in government strategy.

Further information about the post, including detailed job description, eligibility and candidate profile can be found by visiting the Northern Ireland Civil Service Recruitment website.

The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 12 noon on Monday 6 June 2022.