Defence Artificial Intelligence Centre – Assurance Lead

• Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 12th January 2026

Location:

• MOD Corsham, Westwells Road, SN13 9NR,
• MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol, BS34 8JH,
• MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB

Please note that there will be regular travel across all sites, along with other Defence and partner locations in the UK. There may occasionally be a requirement for overseas travel.

• Salary: £61,630
• Reference number: 439978

Job summary

The MOD's digital teams ensure we remain among the most technologically advanced Armed Forces in the world. We develop and lead in cutting-edge data science, automation, and cybersecurity solutions to protect the UK and its interests, at home and abroad.

At the Defence AI Centre (DAIC), our mission is to advance the power of artificial intelligence to give the MOD a decisive edge. We drive the ambitious, safe, and responsible adoption of AI across Defence, to make the difference where it matters most.

Joining the DAIC means becoming part of a world-leading, multi-disciplinary team at the forefront of AI innovation. You’ll be working closely with partners across the MOD, international allies, government agencies, industry leaders, and academic experts to shape the future of UK Defence AI.

Step into the forefront of innovation at the DAIC and become part of a pioneering team that's at the forefront of transforming Defence technology!

Watch our video to see what we do at Defence Digital!

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Join DAIC as our AI Assurance Lead and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence within our organisation.

You will lead the delivery of a comprehensive programme of guidance, governance and tools that enable teams to deliver AI-enabled projects which are safe, reliable and follow ethical principles. You’ll also contribute to the wider development and adoption of AI for defence through your expertise in AI safety, risk, ethics and assurance.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of our AI assurance programme including guidance, governance and tooling
• Provide line management, mentoring and support for a small team working on AI Assurance
• Engage with stakeholders, communicate and advise on the safe, responsible and ethical of AI use for defence purposes
• Contribute to AI capability implementation and strategic development

This role aligns to the Data Ethics Lead in the Government Digital and Data Framework; For more information please refer to this link: Data Ethics Lead

Person specification

This is a high-impact strategic role for an experienced leader who can drive assurance across a large, complex organisation. You’ll combine technical understanding with the ability to inspire and guide cross-functional teams, ensuring robust governance and confidence in AI adoption at scale.

You will be an expert in assurance, ethics, safety and risk management for digital systems and ideally have an appreciation of the specific requirements of AI-enabled systems.

When submitting your CV, please highlight your career history and experience relevant to this role. Additionally, refer to the "Things You Need to Know" section of the advert and provide a personal statement (max.1250 words) demonstrating the essential criteria listed below:

• Proven leadership in designing and implementing risk, safety, or ethical assurance frameworks within large, complex organisations.
• Track record of delivering practical solution, such as training, guidance, and tools, that empower teams and organisations to achieve effective assurance outcomes.
• Deep knowledge of AI ethics, safety, and governance principles, with the ability to apply them in real-world contexts.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and build consensus across diverse audiences.

Do you want to hear more about this role? We would love for you to join us, and learn more from members of the team, at our upcoming candidate brief, being held 16/12/25 @ 5pm.To confirm your attendance, please email us, using your personal email at with your name and the CSJ reference number. We will then forward you a Microsoft Team’s invite to be able to join on the day.

Upcoming DAIC roles

The DAIC will also soon be recruiting for a range of other exciting roles across our growing team, so keep an eye on the Civil Service Jobs website for upcoming vacancies. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of something truly impactful, stay tuned!

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Communicating between the Technical and Non-Technical
• Product Ownership (Data Ethics)
• Managing Decisions and Risks

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