Digital Technology Policy Adviser

Are you looking for an exciting and fast paced role that is central to how the Treasury responds to the opportunities and risks posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI), alongside how we support the growth of the tech sector? If so, we'd love to hear from you!

About the Team

This role sits within the Digital Technology Unit within the Science, Technology & Access to Finance (STAF) team, which is responsible for HMT's strategy for the Digital Technology sector and leads on exciting areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Unit works collaboratively with departments such as Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to develop policy that will support the growth of the UK's AI sector, from investing in computing power, to attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the UK's AI infrastructure. The Unit also leads HMT's work on digital regulation including the Online Safety Act, and the UK's approach to AI regulation.

About the Job

We are looking for someone who is excited by the policy area, and who is willing to get stuck-in to drive forward workstreams that will meet Ministerial priorities for growth and productivity.

Key accountabilities of the role are:

• HMT Lead on Digital Regulation. You will lead HMT's engagement with the Online Safety Act, the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, and the UK's approach to AI regulation as they are progressed through Parliament/implemented. You will be responsible for advising Ministers on key areas of HMT interest, responding to Write Rounds and engaging with consultations, to ensure they reflect HMT priorities on innovation and proportionality. You will also provide HMT spend control to the new regulatory regimes; in the next year this will primarily be the Online Safety Act, as it is implemented by Ofcom. You will work closely with the Range E and DSIT on the wider strategy for balancing HMG dual priorities for safety and security, with tech investment.
• Develop AI and Tech Priorities for Fiscal Events: Working with the team, DSIT and wider colleagues in HMT you will identify priorities for HMT investment in tech and AI at Fiscal Events, including the next Spending Review. You will work with DSIT to assess the evidence base on market failures and growth opportunities, and work with HMT colleagues to scrutinise the affordability and value for money of different proposals. You will provide advice to Ministers on measures and interventions that meet their priorities.
• Tech Sector Stakeholder Engagement: This role involves plenty of Ministerial visits, events and international trips. Working with other team members and HMT colleagues, you will provide Ministers with advice on how they should engage with the tech sector and briefings for these engagement opportunities. This will involve building a strong working knowledge of the sector and working closely with the relevant stakeholders to agree objectives and priorities for these different opportunities.
• Briefings, Correspondence and Parliamentary Questions (PQs): The branch frequently receives commissions for briefing from across the department, as well as correspondence requests, PQs and FoIs. You will need to work flexibly with other team members to provide high quality input that meets these commissions and ensure that the team's 'standard lines' and core facts about the sector and AI are up to date.

About You

You do not need to have background in AI or Digital Technology to apply. We're looking for a highly motivated self-starter, who can pick up new material quickly and who is keen to learn about the policy area. As you progress in the role, you will be expected to develop a good working knowledge of the sector and have a view of what the key trends and issues are.

You should be confident working with quantitative and qualitative data and can use these analytical skills to assess policy problems, review business cases and develop nuanced policy advice. Given the work of the branch is high-profile, you will need to be adept at engaging with senior stakeholders and be effective at communicating policy positions clearly, concisely, and persuasively.

HM Treasury is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, ways of working and thinking makes us a stronger organisation, better at developing policy that is reflective of the communities we serve. We embrace different views and experiences and value the fresh perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.

Some of the Benefits our people love!

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King's birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant). Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)
• Generous parental and adoption leave packages
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 27%
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances
• A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity (e.g. women in the Treasury, ethnic minority network, LGBT network, faith and belief network)

For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please tell us about this in your online application form, or speak to the recruitment team at