About the job

Job summary

We feel privileged to lead the Government Communications Profession (GCS) as Chief Executive Officer and the UK’s national security strategy as the National Security Secretariat’s (NSS) Strategy Director. We are excited to offer a talented individual the opportunity to step into this challenging leadership role, acting as the anchor between GCS and NSS, working to strengthen the government’s national security communications.

GCS’ mission is to deliver exceptional public service communications that make a difference to people’s lives. People work in GCS because what we do matters. Our mission remains steadfast: to deliver exceptional public service communications that significantly impact the lives of our citizens. The dedication of individuals within the GCS stems from the profound understanding that our work holds significant importance.

The National Security Secretariat (NSS) 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.

As communication dynamics rapidly evolve, we are seeking visionary leaders who excel not only in communication but also in navigating complex and evolving environments, inspiring teams to achieve greatness.

As the Deputy Director for National Security Communications, you will play a pivotal role in the leadership of the Government Communication Service and NSS. Together, we endeavour to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of government communications, modernising our profession while harnessing the transformative power of technology for the greater good and deliver against national security objectives. Building public trust and nurturing exceptional communications talent remain paramount in our mission.

We are seeking an individual who shares our values and ambitions for the GCS and NSS, someone who can contribute to creating an open and inclusive culture where innovation is welcomed, boundaries are pushed, and calculated risks are taken. I am confident that you will find the work both challenging and rewarding, surrounded by talented individuals who share your dedication to excellence.

We invite you to be part of something greater than ourselves, where your contributions will make a tangible difference in safeguarding our nation’s security.

Job description

You will be expected to work across government (with multiple complex stakeholders) and with external stakeholders including some of our closest international partners. You will be a senior voice at the table, advocating for the role of communications in achieving real world outcomes. 

You will work closely with senior leadership in the GCS and NSS. Creative and organised, you will be an integral part of our senior leadership team, helping get the best out of our people. 

Key responsibilities:

• Leadership of the National Security Communications team and playing a leading role in the wider Cabinet Office communication team and across NSS.
• Act as the communications representative for the whole of His Majesty’s Government (HMG) at key senior meetings including COBR Ministerial (M) and Officials (O) where required. You will also represent National Security communications on a number of officials’ groups. 
• Delivery and oversight of ~£ 4m programme budget.
• Leadership of a high-quality communications capability programme, which delivers demonstrable impact for the wider community.
• Providing strategic guidance and ensuring tangible delivery on top IRR23 objectives including Russia/Ukraine, China, Israel/Gaza, and National Resilience.
• Liaison and relationship building with international counterparts in key allied nations and territories around the world.
• Crisis communications leadership, including coordinating cross-government activity, providing leadership and coherence, and active participation capability building events and crisis planning.
• Development of high performing team, providing professional communications leadership, role-modelling inspiring, empowering and confident leadership and advocating for team’s wellbeing and needs in line with People Survey actions.
• Understand departmental, Ministerial and national security priorities and convey them to your team so they can communicate the key messages clearly and accurately as part of their communication and coordination role.  
• Convening the cross government National Security Communication Committee and acting as the Secretary to that committee advising on the forward work plan. 

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, as well as the leadership skills to succeed at Senior Civil Service level. 

Essential Criteria

• Experience in a communications leadership role - ideally in a related area – delivering outcomes through the design and delivery of campaigns, strategic communications, capability building and media handling. 
• Ability to see the big picture and translate that into effective delivery, managing and providing direction to large scale organisations (or government) and external partners, with a focus on amplifying activity and outcomes via active coordination and oversight. 
• Proven leadership skills and ability to shape culture, raise capability, build inclusion, and drive creativity across teams.
• Excellent written and oral communications with the credibility to brief senior stakeholders e.g. board level, Ministers and senior officials, and influence strategic outcomes.
• Ability to use data, including communications insights and wider intelligence, to inform strategic decision making.

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 

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 behaviours and experience at interview. 

You may also have the opportunity to speak to Simon Baugh 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. You will be asked to complete a technical exercise on the interview day, further details will be provided on this to shortlisted candidates. 

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)
Advert Closing Date - 23:55pm, Sunday 28th April 2024
Shortlist - Week Commencing 7th May 2024

Interview - From the 21st of 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:

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 Developed Vetting (DV) clearance, which would normally need 10 years’ UK residency in the past 10 years. 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. You will also require further clearances once in-post.

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.