About the job

Job summary

The National Security Secretariat (NSS) in the Cabinet Office keeps the UK safe, secure and prosperous by bringing together the UK’s national security community, providing high-quality support to the Prime Minister and the National Security Council and maintaining centre-to-centre relationships internationally. Working within the wider Cabinet Secretariat and led by the Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser (NSA), we assist the Prime Minister and the Cabinet in the development, coordination and implementation of its highest priority objectives.

The National Security Unit within NSS is a friendly, fast-paced team. It covers the full breadth of national security opportunities and challenges, including state threats, counter-terrorism, serious organised crime, intelligence policy and cyber security. We are a diverse mix from across government and the intelligence community, with a range of backgrounds, cultures, knowledge and expertise, working together to keep the UK secure. The Unit is co-led by the Director for Cyber & State Threats and the Director for Intelligence & Security.

Job description

The NSS Cyber & Tech Team is responsible for cross-Whitehall leadership of the National Cyber Strategy and for advising the Prime Minister on the risks and opportunities of technological change for UK national security and our global strategic advantage. It also manages a multi-million pound portfolio as part of the Integrated Security Fund (ISF) and supports Ministerial committees making decisions on cyber and technology. The team is made up of three sub-teams, two of which lead on strategy and policy for Cyber and Emerging Tech respectively, and the other on programme and performance.

The work of the team is dynamic, high profile and fascinating. Each member of the team has clear personal responsibilities and autonomy to deliver their work, but colleagues surge in to support each other when needed. 

The Cyber team’s role is to support and drive delivery of the UK’s National Cyber Strategy in 2022. This is an exciting period driving forward delivery of the strategy through relationships and structures across Whitehall and beyond to most effectively deliver the government’s commitment that the UK will continue to be a leading responsible and democratic cyber power, able to protect and promote our interests in and through cyberspace in support of national goals. A thriving national cyber ecosystem and productive engagement across the whole of society are core parts of this commitment.

The Emerging Technology team’s role is to help the UK secure strategic advantage through science and technology, as set out in the Integrated Review 2023 and the UK Science & Technology Framework. This involves working across the five critical technologies and the nine systems enablers set out in the framework.

Now is an excellent time to join the cyber and tech team, as the team adapts to respond to the election. You will have the opportunity to shape your portfolio whichever team you join, but the post-holder in the Cyber team can expect to lead on a range of cyber engagement activities and commitments. They can expect to work with bodies including the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), DSIT, FCDO, the Home Office and other departments, Parliament and key industry players, to:

• Lead the Cyber Team’s approach to external engagement as outlined in the National Cyber Strategy, through better communication across government, Parliament, the private sector and the third sector.
• Lead the secretariat for the National Cyber Advisory Board (NCAB). The NCAB is co-chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Chief Security Officer of Lloyds Bank. It is the most senior advisory board in the UK cyber ecosystem, bringing together executive-level leaders from across industry to increase transparency and provide strategic input into government cyber policy.
• Draft high-quality advice and provide briefings for seniors and ministers on areas within your portfolio, including the Deputy National Security Advisor and Ministers. 
• Manage parliamentary and Cabinet processes including parliamentary and committee handling, ministerial write round coordination where required.
• Provide flexible support to high priorities across the team, including policy projects, and the opportunity to support the Cabinet Office’s 24/7 incident management function. 

The post-holder in the Emerging Tech team can expect to work across the National Security Secretariat, and with the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC), the Joint Intelligence Office (JIO), No10, the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and others across Government to:

• Support effective decision-making by the Ministerial and senior official level cross-Whitehall structures governing the science and technology landscape, by advising on the risks and opportunities of rapid advances in technology (including and their implications for UK security and prosperity).
• Use assessment and analysis products to brief senior officials on strategy and policy decisions, and oversee intelligence activity to ensure the UK is fit for systemic competition in science and technology.
• Support the team in convening S&T policy leads across Government to drive a coherent and coordinated approach to delivery of the S&T Framework and to broker decisions.
• Support Ministers and senior officials in their engagement on science and technology with academic experts, industry leaders and international counterparts.

Person specification

It is important that, through your CV and supporting statement, you provide evidence of the skills and experience for this post. 

Essential Criteria:

• Experience of thinking strategically and making use of innovative policy design techniques to shape new and emerging areas of policy, identify priorities and set vision across departments and industry.
• Experience of and/or demonstrable interest in technology or cyber policy, particularly in relation to international relations, industry collaboration, or national security.
• Experience of establishing trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, including balancing interests across complex policy areas, and communicating effectively in writing and verbally, to convey difficult messages, increase clarity and build trust.
• Leadership, resilience and change management skills, including a structured approach to workload, supporting your team to balance competing priorities.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally, analysing and explaining complex information to make clear and concise recommendations to senior audiences.
• Ability to work autonomously and proactively in a busy team, identifying what areas of work to progress and how to do so. 

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of working with think tanks, industry groups, private sector organisations.
• Experience of working with analysts and/or data scientists to interpret complex or conflicting information sources.
• Experience of working in national security, including with UKIC.

Additional information:

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,250, Cabinet Office contributes £10,328 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and statement of suitability. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

For your statement of suitability, please outline how you meet the essential and desired criteria, and your motivation for applying for this role (500 words max.)

You will also be assessed on behaviours at application stage.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead Behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

At interview stage, candidates will be assessed using the Behaviours and Experience elements of Success Profiles.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – w/c 5 August
Expected interview date/s – w/c 19 August
Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 
• Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further information

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance. The post-holder must be willing to undergo DV clearance, which can be applied for in-role. 

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. 

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.