Senior Policy Adviser, Data

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Job Scope

The Royal Society is looking for an experienced policy professional to take up a senior role across our portfolios of work on data and digital technologies. Based in the Science Policy directorate, in the Data team, the successful candidate will work with Fellows of the Royal Society, and other leading thinkers, to develop and promote independent, expert, and timely advice to UK, European, and international decision makers in matters of science policy.

The Data team's work addresses the implications of new technologies and how they can be developed and applied to benefit humanity. The Society has an influential programme of publications and activities on data and digital technologies, with projects focusing on a range of topics including climate change, artificial intelligence, online misinformation, and privacy enhancing technologies.

The successful applicant for this role will have a strong track record of helping shape and inform corporate, national and/or international policy on data and digital technologies (or a closely related topic). They will be experienced in report-writing, building relationships, public speaking, and digesting complex material. To begin with, the successful candidate will work with the Head of Policy to scope out, and lead, a new policy programme for 2024-2025. They will also build on the Society's report, Science in the age of AI, to help influence key stakeholders in the UK and abroad on the use of artificial intelligence in scientific research.

The Society's policy programmes are highly interdisciplinary, drawing together perspectives from across sectors to provide the highest levels of thought leadership. The postholder will work closely with members of the Fellowship and with influential stakeholders at the heart of government, professional bodies and across the Academies to respond to and shape the landscapes of policy and governance. This will include commissioning original research, pushing forward work on evidence synthesis, conducting research and analysis, and drawing on a strong network of contacts across a broad and complex stakeholder ecosystem.

The postholder will enjoy exceptional visibility and will have experience of working with and influencing people at all levels of seniority. The ability to assess and report on technical information in a clear and concise manner is essential for this role. We are looking for creative thinkers and effective problem solvers, who will be adept at networking, communication, and motivating colleagues.

They will also contribute to the overall development of the Science Policy team and the delivery of its objectives. A genuine interest in and a sound knowledge of the science and policy issues related to data, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence is important for this role, as is experience of working in policy. The successful candidate will work under the guidance of the Head of Policy.

About the Royal Society

Founded in 1660, the Royal Society's mission is to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. Science is vital to many areas of policy making and the Society seeks to ensure the government and the public have access to impartial and independent expert advice to inform debate and guide good decision making. The Royal Society provides independent, timely and authoritative scientific advice to UK and international decision makers. We champion the contribution that science can make to economic prosperity, quality of life and environmental sustainability; and we are a hub for debate about science, society, and public policy.

We undertake the following activities, on topics that reflect the Society's priorities:

• Projects: Analysing the scientific evidence relating to major policy issues in collaboration with other experts.
• Reports & publications: Producing reports, statements, consultation responses and other publications on a regular basis.
• Events: Bringing together policymakers and scientists to discuss current topics in science policy.

Reports to: Head of Policy, Data

Line manages: x1 policy adviser

Location: Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG plus hybrid remote working

Pay Band: E

Salary: £55,400 per annum

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week (full time)

Closing date for applications: 23:59pm 7 June 2024

Interviews will take place 26-28 June. Interviews will be face to face at our office: The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG

*Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Responsibilities

• Leading policy work on issues relating to data and digital technologies.
• Devising innovative ways of gathering evidence and insight on the development and use of a range digital technologies.
• Building national and international networks of influence with policymakers, scientists, and other stakeholders at their own and at a higher level of seniority.
• Ensuring agreed projects and other activities are delivered on time, on budget and on scope.
• Planning, drafting and editing workshop notes, policy reports and thinking creatively about other outputs.
• Closely monitoring UK and European policy developments related to data and digital technologies.
• Horizon-scanning, identifying, and scoping new project opportunities.
• Public speaking, representing the Society and its policy positions in meetings with government, policymakers, and others.
• Providing leadership to and line management of policy and project support staff.
• Providing frequent advice to senior management, relevant Vice Presidents, Fellows and committees.
• Working with teams across the Royal Society to ensure that policy messages which are created are fully disseminated.
• Contributing to other activities within the Royal Society as required.

Key Knowledge and Skills Required

Essential

A minimum of degree (or equivalent)

Knowledge/skills/abilities

Essential

• Expertise, and/or strong interest, in relevant areas of data and digital technology policy
• Skilled oral and written communication for technical and non-technical audiences
• Assessment and reporting of technical information in a clear and concise manner
• Self-organisation and management of several tasks simultaneously
• Highly motivated and an ability to generate similar motivation in others
• An enthusiastic team player, with experience of collaborative working
• Creative thinking and problem solving

Experience

Essential

• To have worked on a variety of policy programmes at the corporate, national and/or international level
• Delivering complex projects on time, on budget and on scope
• Writing, editing and disseminating reports
• Establishing and maintaining a network of contacts
• Effective interaction with people at all levels of seniority

Desirable

• Managing staff or virtual teams, either formally or informally
• Working with committees

Circumstances

• Able to be flexible about working hours on occasions
• Able to undertake national and / or international travel on occasions

Competencies

Self-management

• Identifies difficult situations

• Recognises stress in others and takes steps to reduce it

• Controls pressurised situations

• Effectively enthuses those in the team

• Proactively sets goals and targets for own work

• Works within the Royal Society Values at all times

Working with others

• Actively seeks ideas and criticisms from within the team

• Resolves conflicts within and between teams

• Embeds feedback processes within the team

• Seeks out new networks that will create opportunity for the Society

• Able to present complex issues simply

• Uses discretion, tact and empathy when negotiating with and/or seeking to influence others

• Understands the need to manage expectations and to only promise what is deliverable

Resource management

• Determines strategy and deployment of resources, balancing cost and benefit; risk and potential for maximum impact across significant business areas

• Manages complex cross-cutting projects to time, budget and specification

• Ensures others accept responsibility towards results or quality

• Sets the quality standards for own business areas in accordance with strategy and contributes to the formulation of quality standards across the Society

• Sets and monitors priorities

• Identifies and manages risk effectively

Critical thinking

• Uses questioning, analytical and probing skills to 'dig deeper'

• Knows when enough information has been obtained and adapts presentation of information to the needs of the audience

• Evaluates the benefits, practicalities and value for money of ideas and obtains feedback

• Makes sound decisions in a complex or ambiguous environment and is able to gain support and manage challenges confidently

Adaptability

• Actively seeks the input and opinions of others, often outside his/her section and accommodates and incorporates this thinking into any output.

• Actively seeks new challenges and projects; leads discussions surrounding new ideas, approaches and projects

• Anticipates need for innovation and seeks new ideas, approaches and solutions

Managing people and relationships

• Sets expectations of others and ensures they deliver

• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards work, celebrating success and instilling confidence, which encourages the same from others

• Encourages others to share ideas and participate in the discussion and decisions of the team

• Assesses needs of clients/stakeholders/staff and makes plans to meet these needs