About the job

Job summary

The Counter-Terrorism (CT) and Serious Organised Crime (SOC) team sits within the National Security Secretariat, and has a wide range of responsibilities, which includes all issues relating to CT and SOC, whether domestic, international or Northern Ireland-related;  terrorist attacks, kidnappings and other security crises; security aspects for certain major events (such as the Queen’s funeral and the King’s Coronation); certain elements of the UK’s aviation security response, and a cross-Government programme on nuclear security.

This position offers the successful applicant the chance to lead on some of the most pressing issues that affect the safety of the people of the United Kingdom, where you will be providing support and advice to the most senior ministers and officials, including the Prime Minister and National Security Adviser (NSA).

If you feel you have the necessary skills and experiences to make this role a success, we would be delighted to hear from you and wish you the very best in your application.

Job description

Given the breadth and complexity of the portfolio, the role requires significant cross-HMG working, the ability both to think strategically and lead on reactive issues at the same time, whilst brokering agreement and finding solutions. Prime Ministerial interest across the portfolio is high, and you will lead preparation for NSC and COBR meetings as needed. This is a fast-paced role, needing strategic focus, rapid delivery and experience in national security and counter terrorism.

The role manages a team of c12 people and a £13m programme budget. 

Core responsibilities include:

• Lead a highly effective, diverse, engaged and motivated CT-SOC team;
• Provide a high-quality COBR crisis response function for terrorist incidents and hostage situations;
• Advise the PM and NSA on managing security threats arising from terrorism and organised crime;
• Lead, engage and cohere effort across HMG departments on a range of policy issues, operational issues, and the development and delivery of strategic objectives, including through the NSC;
• Act as Programme Director for the cross-Whitehall nuclear security programme;
• Be an active senior leader in the Intelligence and Security Directorate, and across the National Security Secretariat more broadly.

As a senior leader within the Cabinet Office, you will be expected to role model the civil service values; be a visible advocate for diversity and inclusion; work flexibly across boundaries; engage the workforce and develop their capabilities.

To protect the UK and its interests, we need and value a truly diverse team that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual orientations, those with disabilities and different ways of thinking. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce.  

Person specification

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

Essential Criteria:

• Experienced senior leader with the proven capability to co-ordinate and drive outcomes across organisational boundaries and in a highly sensitive and challenging policy environment. This should include experience of working on and knowledge of Counter-Terrorism strategy, policy or operational issues.
• A confident oral and written communicator, with a proven ability to see the big picture, quickly identify the core of an issue, and lead teams operating at the strategic level. You will need to be able to build, lead and motivate a diverse and inclusive team, encouraging creativity and challenge. 
• Can project authority, show leadership, display excellent judgement, and exert influence at the most senior levels within a large organisation as well as with external stakeholders and international counterparts.
• Has collaborative instincts and a willingness to build consensus and develop constructive working relationships with Departmental colleagues at different levels, and to promote effective team-working on sensitive and difficult issues.
• Prepared to think highly strategically at a fast pace as policy issues emerge. Ability to judge when to track, when to provide support, and when to lead on specific issues, depending on their prominence. Ability to master a wide range of briefs quickly, but be confident enough to defer to others’ expertise where necessary.
• This post requires flexibility and you will be adept at juggling priorities and managing a wide range of responsibilities. In times of crisis, you may need to work unsociable hours. You will be expected to take part in the on-call rota (roughly one week in eight) to monitor emerging risks and form the backbone of initial responses where necessary. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £75,000, Cabinet Office contributes £20,250 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.

Application process

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process, outlined below. This should be completed no later than 23:55pm, Sunday 28th April 2024.

1. A CV (no longer than 1250 words) setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have  provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.

Failure to complete both sections of the online application form (CV and Statement of Suitability) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do  not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select  'prefer not to say’. See the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for more information.

Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with us via: scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Candidates who wish to use an example that is particularly sensitive, so cannot be submitted on the application system, please email scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk to request an alternative submission route. The team will then pass your details to the recruitment manager, who will be in touch. If submitting higher classification evidence, you are still required to submit a short application form on CS Jobs providing your details. In the CV and Personal Statement section within CS Jobs please reference that you have submitted evidence offline.

Shortlist

Your application will be acknowledged when it is received.

A panel, including the hiring manager, will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the ‘Person Specification’ section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.

The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decision is expected to be made, and all longlisted and shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.

Assessment 

If you are successful at the application stage, you will be invited to attend a panel interview, in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. We will be assessing against the success profile Behaviours and your Experience at interview. 

Shortlisted candidates may also have the opportunity to speak to a member of the department prior to the final interview to learn more about the role and organisation. Please note this is not part of the formal assessment process.

Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates. If you are required to prepare a presentation for the final interview you will be given the subject in advance.

If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies in the Civil Service requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without the need for a new competition.

Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected Shortlist - Week commencing 29th April 2024

Interviews - From 14th May 2024.

Reasonable adjustments
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 at: scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

• Complete the ‘assistance required’ section in the ‘personal information’ page of your application form to provide information we should be aware of that will enable us to support you 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 DV clearance, which would normally need 10 years UK residency.  This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible. Further checks will also be required once in post. Failure to achieve DV will result in withdrawal of the role or termination of employment.

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.

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.