About the job

Job summary

Are you ready to work in one of the most interesting cyber security environments and share your experience to support national security?

Interested in projects at the cutting edge of world leading, military technology, such as next-generation fast jet capabilities, unmanned systems, highly secure networks, future warships & military vehicles and ground-breaking sensor technology?

The department has recently launched a totally new approach to Cyber Security called Secure by Design (SbD). This is an opportunity to be part of what is a transformational approach and to contribute to our continuous improvement and learning going forward.

So, who are we?

We are Defence’s Cyber Assessment and Advisory Service (CySAAS) team and we are part of the Cyber Defence and Risk (CyDR) organisation. CyDR sits at the forefront of cyber security and information technology and is responsible for driving MOD’s cyber transformation and for the Cyber Security Policy, Architecture, and Risk and Governance structure that guides it. 

Within CyDR, CySAAS consists of sub teams which assess specialist ICT, communication and weapons systems, provide assurance, support and advice across all of Defence. Our team thrives on curiosity, new ideas and creative thinking, driving a culture of exploring further and influencing wider, making Cyber security a leader in Defence.

We provide our specialist services across UK Defence working with our industry partners, other Government departments and our international allies.

As a Civil Servant, you’ll have access to our range of excellent benefits, including flexible working, discount schemes, generous leave allowance and a market-leading Civil Service pension.

Our commitment to your development is fundamental and you’ll be able to take advantage of fantastic learning and development opportunities, tailored to your role and beyond. Whilst in post, you’ll be able to gain industry recognised qualifications through a range of professional ICT courses and external training providers and we’ll support you throughout the process.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join our team and become part of our exciting future.

This post is eligible for a Digital Skills Allowance of up to £18,000 per annum. Eligibility for this allowance will be assessed at interview against 4 core technical skills only and reviewed annually in line with MOD policy.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

Job description

The Deputy Head Technical Assurance and Consultancy reports to the Head of Cyber Security Assessment and Advisory Services (CySAAS) and leads a group of specialists tasked with investigating novel and contentious applications of technology and practice to meet   defence’s challenges. From cyber protecting interfaces for complex military equipment to finding the safest ways to integrate commercial “off-the shelf” consumer electronics with bespoke secure communications systems, each day presents the opportunity develop your skills and experience.

The Team is also responsible for driving improvements in cyber security across defence’s existing systems through hard hitting assessments and advice to project teams about how their security can be improvement. You will manage the department’s risk exception process and so see, and help evaluate, the most intractable and far-reaching cyber risk issues that the department faces.

You will routinely brief and advise the most senior technical and business leaders in the department as they decide how to manage their risks.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your knowledge of technical vulnerabilities, testing and assurance, whilst working with some of the most complex and technically advanced systems and equipment in the world. As Deputy Head, you will be collaborating with national and international experts in cyber security and digital technology from across government and wider industry.

Responsibilities will include:

• Lead and manage a team of circa 18 FTE, to evolve and deliver technical information assurance services, including a technical laboratory.
• Lead and manage resources to evolve and deliver the department’s risk exception process under SbD.
• To help promote, implement and improve SbD, as the department moves from its legacy Accreditation approach to assurance to the more modern and effective project led assurance environment.
• Develop and sustain a highly skilled, professional and motivated workforce.
• Remain up to date and be a thought leader in modern technology and cyber security.
• You will be a member of the CySAAS Senior Management Team (SMT).
• Manage the provision of the workflow and information management systems that CySAAS and MOD Programme Teams use to manage their assurance tasks.

Person specification

This position may be suitable for individuals with relevant skills and experience in information security governance & management, risk assessment & information risk management, technical security architecture or with appropriate skills gained in an ICT assurance or compliance environment.

We are committed to encouraging and enabling our staff to develop in and above their role and we will support you in undertaking further learning and development opportunities, within your designated field and beyond. Wherever possible, we will provide upskill learning options and further training to support your continuous professional development.

Desirable qualifications, accreditation, memberships or skills:

• Certificate in Information Security Management Principles (CISMP)
• Certified Information Security Systems Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Cyber Professional (CCP)
• MSc, BSc or HND in an ICT or engineering related discipline
• Membership of CIISP, CIISec, BCS or recognised equivalent
• CIISec framework skills: C1 – Enterprise Security Architecture Level 4

Ideally, you’ll also have the following:

• The ability to build long term relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Highly effective networking and the ability to advise and influence people.
• Experience of leading and managing a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences, synthesising information to portray key messages and facilitate effective decision making.

This post is eligible for a Digital Skills Allowance of up to £18,000 per annum. Eligibility for this allowance will be assessed at interview against 4 core technical skills only and reviewed annually in line with MOD policy.

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station, which is based on business assessment of where the work is best done) and working from home as a personal choice (if the role is suitable for this).  If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

This position can be based at either MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB, MOD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9NR or RAF Wyton, Huntingdon, PE28 2EA, with the expectation that you will be required to work onsite at RAF Wyton for at least 2 to 3 days per week.

Dependent on the business need, there may be a requirement to travel to meetings within the UK (or potentially occasional overseas visits).

If not already held, successful candidates will be required to undergo DV clearance.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £67,820, Ministry of Defence contributes £18,311 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, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply please complete the CV template provided on the CS Jobs dashboard. You will be assessed against your relevant, skills, knowledge and experience which demonstrates the essential criteria listed within this advert.

All applicants will also need to provide a personal statement (max. 1250 words) and it is essential that this includes evidence of the following essential criteria. Each one will be scored 1-7 and make up part of your overall score to assess your suitability to be invited to interview:

1. Describe your experience of leading on the provision of cyber security technical information assurance and advisory / consultancy services.

2. Provide an example of when you have shaped and influenced cyber security policy and processes.

3. Tell us about your ability to create, build and maintain strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

4. Describe your experience of leading, managing and developing resources, teams and staff.

Interviews

We’ll assess you against these behaviours, technical skills & experience during the interview process:

Presentation

You will be asked to prepare and deliver a 5-minute (max) presentation on a role-related subject. Further details will be sent prior to interview.

Behaviours

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical Skills

• Information risk assessment and risk management
• Applied security capability
• Protective security
• Threat understanding

Experience

• You will be asked questions related to your relevant experience for this role.

The Government Security Profession Career Framework and the Cyber Security Advisory - Risk Manager Principal role used in this vacancy can be found at: Government Security Profession career framework.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include: job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.  

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. (1250 - Word count)  

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk  

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.  

The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. 

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 developed vetting (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.