Senior Policy Advisor, Cyber, Digital and Tech

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View Vacancy – Senior Policy Advisor, Cyber, Digital and Tech

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category

UK Mission

Job Subcategory

UKMIS (UK Mission to the United Nations)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Main purpose of job:

The British Government\’s Mission to the United Nations in New York is offering an exciting opportunity to join the General Assembly, Human Rights and Management, Reform and Finance Section as a Senior Policy Adviser – Cyber, Digital & Tech. This is a meaningful role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US – contributing to work shaping international diplomacy to make a real difference globally.

The US Network offers a unique, career-enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a comprehensive benefits package- including generous leave, competitive insurance options, a top-tier 401(k) programme, and access to world-class learning and development resources.

We are committed to fostering a healthy work-life balance and supporting employee wellbeing through a structured hybrid working model that includes opportunities for remote work and flexible hours, where operational needs allow.

In this role, you will be part of a dynamic international environment spanning the British Government\’s extensive network across the United States and the United Kingdom, which includes the Embassy in Washington, the UK Mission to the United Nations, multiple Consulates, and other Government Offices-comprising over 900 staff and supporting the work of approximately 30 UK government departments and agencies.

As Senior Policy Adviser – Cyber, Digital & Tech in the General Assembly, Human Rights and Management, Reform and Finance Section, you will contribute to strengthening UK engagement on cyber digital and technology. Positioned within the UK Mission to the United Nations, the role offers opportunities to work through the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, and occasional working through the Security Council and external partners.

On digital technologies, you will contribute directly to the UK\’s work to shape global governance around four principles – open, responsible, secure and resilient. You will work closely with the UK Mission lead on Cyber, Digital and Technology, to deliver UK priorities in the Global Digital Compact negotiations and upcoming WSIS+20 review.

Your role will also involve working across the mission on processes that have technology-dependent aspects. This may include supporting the UN\’s Science, Technology and Innovation Forum, resolutions on ICT for sustainable development, protection and promotion of human rights in digital spaces, and promotion of UK efforts to bridge the digital divide.

This is a wide and evolving portfolio, the ideal candidate will be a self-starter, identifying opportunities across the mission to advance UK interests. To leverage those opportunities, the candidate will require excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build impactful relationships, strong analytical abilities to shape UK strategy to achieve complex objectives, organisational skills to manage a diverse portfolio, and the ability to prioritise activity that delivers results

Roles and responsibilities:

• Advance the UK\’s strategic priorities on cyber, digital and emerging technologies – such as those set out in the UK Cyber Strategy and Digital Development Strategy.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to advance UK interests in cyber, digital and technology related multilateral processes, including those that govern or respond to the emergence of ICTs – such as the Global Digital Compact, WSIS+20 Review, and AI governance initiatives. Provide policy advice and represent the UK Mission in negotiations and engagements that shape these agendas.
• Support delivery across the team\’s cyber/digital/tech portfolio, including:
  • Leading on high-level visits and events related to digital governance
  • Briefing and advising UK Mission senior officials on processes such as the UN Statistical Commission or STI Forum
• Represent the UK and negotiate in the General Assembly and its Committees on issues that are cyber/digital/technology related, including:
  • The Global Digital Compact
  • Resolutions on ICTs for Sustainable Development
  • Resolutions on STI for Development where digital systems are central to the policy process
  • Protection and promotion of human rights in digital spaces, where those rights are shaped by the existence of ICTs
• Coordinate with UK government departments – primarily FCDO and DSIT – on the UK\’s international engagement in cyber/digital/technology processes. This includes:
  • Inputting into policy development on digital governance
  • Feeding back on political developments in UN digital processes
  • Preparing UK Ambassadors and senior officials for engagements on digital governance, AI, and DPI

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Essential on arrival:

• At least one year of relevant experience working on cyber, digital, technology, or international governance issues, ideally in a multilateral or cross-government context.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to represent UK positions in multilateral negotiations and draft clear, strategic policy advice.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a high volume of work under pressure, including preparing briefings, coordinating visits, and supporting senior officials.
• Proven ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders, such as Whitehall departments and international partners.
• A good understanding of the United Nations system, particularly the General Assembly and its Committees, and how Member States engage with digital and technology-related processes.
• Willingness to work flexibly and collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment.

Language requirements:

• English (Expert)

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable skills:

• A relevant graduate or postgraduate degree (e.g. international relations, public policy, digital governance, law, or technology policy) or equivalent professional experience.
• Familiarity with UK strategies such as the UK Cyber Strategy, AI Opportunities Action Plan, or Digital Development Strategy, and how they are applied in international settings.
• Experience working in or with Permanent Missions to the UN, or in multilateral negotiations on digital, cyber, or technology issues.
• Understanding of the UK civil service and political environment, including how UK policy is developed and coordinated across departments.
• Knowledge of international digital governance, including internet governance, AI standards, digital public infrastructure, and human rights in digital contexts.

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace

Application deadline

3 September 2025

Grade

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week

40

Region

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

Country/Territory

United States

Location (City)

New York

Type of Post

British Government Office

Salary Currency

USD

Salary

$87,130

Type of Salary

yearly

Start Date

27 October 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment

US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US has restrictions on the type of visas our non-diplomatic staff may hold. If you are not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident, or the dependent of a diplomat (with an EAD card), you may not be eligible for employment with the UK government. We cannot accept student Visas (J1, F or M) nor other forms of work Visas (I, H, P). If you hold a work visa it is best to check on your eligibility to work for a foreign government before applying for a position.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.

Working Patterns:

As above: Core hours, M-F, 9am to 5 pm, 60/40 hybrid when possible, depending on periodic high-level week and negotiation scheduling at UN

Learning and Development:

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee\’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.

Please note that the tax arrangements imposed by the US on staff working for foreign governments, as well as those imposed by the UK Treasury on British and dual nationals working for the UK Government overseas, are atypical. The UK Government cannot withhold taxes (including FICA) on behalf of a US taxpayer. Instead, a US taxpayer is required to file taxes as if they are self-employed, and a FICA allowance is granted for those required to pay the employer contribution. Certain categories of staff (for example dual UK-US nationals and some visa holders) who work at Consulates General are not subject to US taxes. For those not subject to US taxes the UK Government reduces gross pay to a level broadly equivalent to taxed net pay. There are also social security implications for dual UK-US nationals. Please keep all this in mind when looking at the salary and the benefits package. If you are offered a job with the UK\’s US Network you will be given further tax and social security information relevant to your personal circumstances and place of work; you are advised to consider this information and its impact on your circumstances carefully – potentially with the advice of a tax professional – before accepting a job.

Additional information

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 03 September 2025.

All applicants must fully complete the online application form, including the sections for employment and educational details, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Only those applications that contain all required information will be considered. To ensure the sift process remains anonymous, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your application form.

Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a \’reserve list\’. If during the reserve period of 6months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

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