About the job

Job summary

Thank you for your interest in this exciting Deputy Head of Architecture Cyber Security role.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) sits at the heart of the criminal justice system, working  with partners to help keep the public safe. We deal with criminal cases at every level –  including burglary, terrorism, domestic abuse and multi-million-pound fraud cases. We also  work across borders to tackle cybercrime, human trafficking and drugs smuggling, and use our powers to confiscate the proceeds of crime at home and abroad.

The architecture team is a small but growing team of technical and security experts responsible for shaping, assuring and improving the digital services provided to the CPS.

This involves engagement at a senior level to ensure that there is strategic alignment between the contractual landscape, programmes and projects delivering digital services and change with the Government, NCSC and CPS’ approach to delivery of digital capabilities.

Engagement with programmes and projects takes place at a much more detailed level providing much needed technical oversight and also coaching and mentoring project managers to gain a much clearer understanding of the technologies they are working with and deploying.

The architecture team also provide technical support to CPS service management colleagues with the identification and resolution of technical issue which affect service in a complex multi-supplier environment and make proposals to improve the level of service provided to CPS colleagues, enabling more proactive responses to service issues.

A victim of its own success, the team now needs to expand to continue to provide the levels of assurance required and as the CPS looks to in-source some of what has traditionally been done by third party suppliers it must increase its ability to provide additional technical cyber security expertise.

For someone keen to work where they will be in demand and respected for their technical skills and understanding, the CPS digital architecture team is an ideal place to work.

Job description

This role will provide hands-on technical leadership in the development, operation and ongoing improvement of a complex, transformational digital service serving 6,000+ users.

The role-holder will be expected to develop a deep understanding of the CPS’ long-term digital service user needs and ensure that new technology is built support them, ensuring that cyber security risks are identified and eliminated or mitigated by sound architectural design.

The role-holder will take on the architectural lead on designated projects and deputise for the Head of Architecture as required, shaping and assuring the CPS’ Digital future whilst identifying opportunities and driving through improvements in the existing portfolio.

The role-holder will be expected to provide technical cyber security oversight of projects providing advice and guidance to both project managers and departmental security colleagues, ensuring strong collaboration and join up across the organisation.

The role-holder will also conduct internal technical security risk assessments and recommend measures appropriate to bring planned developments within the organisational risk appetite. They will also see these through to implementation.

Person specification

• Support the design and development of a portfolio of technology projects as part of the ICT Strategy and Roadmap, working directly with suppliers, CPS managers and other internal and external stakeholders from project initiation through to post-implementation review to ensure timely and high-quality delivery.
• Work with external suppliers and using appropriate project and programme management methodologies and techniques they will ensure that IT strategies are translated into practical technology solutions, and that these provide a demonstrable link to the strategic objectives of Digital Technology Services (DTS) and the wider CPS.
• Work directly with suppliers and senior managers across the DTS to establish success criteria for their allocated projects and ensure that the criteria are met throughout the lifecycle of these programmes and projects.
• Take a key role in the promotion and regulation of IT infrastructure change management’ across the CPS by providing the necessary vision to influence and align others both internally and externally to what the CPS is seeking to achieve and deliver, keeping pace with technology and future-proofing solutions.
• Be responsible for drafting high quality submissions and briefings for senior managers such as the Deputy Director and Director of Digital and Information.
• Be an effective communicator in terms of public speaking, chairing meetings, ICT governance reporting.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £54,200, Crown Prosecution Service contributes £14,634 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, Strengths and Experience.

The recruitment process will consist of an online application, followed by an interview. We recommend checking the candidate pack (below) for more details.

Application:

CV Section (using the text boxes provided online)

You will not be required to upload your CV however, when submitting your application there is a ‘CV section.’ You will be required to provide information regarding your employment history, qualifications and experience. 

Please note that it is the candidate’s responsibility to provide the specified application information in the requested format to ensure that they are considered for the post.

Personal Statement (using the 750-text box provided online)

You will also be asked to complete a personal statement of 750 words setting out how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience, match the requirements for this role.

The essential experience is the following:

• Research, analyse information, and synthesise solutions to organisational information technology problems, and any significant risks or cyber security risks that may impact the CPS. 
• Substantial experience of working with public cloud services, particularly AWS and Azure.
• Anticipate future demands and new technologies to provide a robust roadmap for IT infrastructure that meet the CPS’ business demand as it continues to evolve. 
• Ability to draw and make use of expressive diagrams using tools such as Visio or ArchiMate. 

Application - Behaviour (using the 250-text box provided online)

You will be required to provide written evidence addressing the core behaviours detailed below, detailing how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience to match the requirements. It is strongly recommended that you follow the S-T-A-R model when providing each answer. 

1. Communicating and Influencing 

Interview

Interviews will take place on: WC 08th April 2024

Your interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. A member of our recruitment team will be in touch with further guidance. We will make every effort to accommodate you in your preference for dates; however, we cannot guarantee that they will be met.

The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of  Behaviours and Strengths-based questions as listed in the advert. The strength-based questions will require natural responses from the candidates. 

The Behaviours you will need to address are (we recommend you use a STAR format): 

1. Communicating and Influencing
2. Making Effective Decisions 
3. Leadership

Further question related to the role can be asked to assess Technical Skills and Experience. 
The experience will be the same as the information mentioned above.

The essential technical skills are:

• Analysis
• Communication skills (security architect). 
• Enabling and informing risk-based decisions. 
• Research and innovation. 

More information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/security-architect#lead-security-architect).

Please, see the candidate pack for more information. 

In addition, you will need to demonstrate the CPS or Civil Service Values and essential experience. 

The successful applicant will be required to secure DBS and SC clearance; to speed up this process; you should bring 3 forms of ID with you on the day of interview. Data gathered from unsuccessful candidates will be destroyed in accordance with our Data Retention Policy.

If successful in obtaining an interview you will be asked to complete the Character Enquiry Form, Nationality and Immigration Questionnaire and National Security Vetting Form.

Candidates who may not be appointable to a Deputy head of Architect Cyber Security (Level D) role, may be offered a B3 role.

Other

This is a full-time post. However, requests for flexible, part-time working and job share will be considered, considering at all times the operational needs of the Department.

Waiting List

Candidates who are recommended by the selection panel but not appointed to the current vacancy will be placed on a waiting list for 12 months and may be offered another post, should any further vacancies for a Deputy Head of Architect Cyber Security arise in the Digital and Information Directorate during this period. CPS may also approach candidates on the waiting list to fill other roles requiring similar knowledge and experience.

Excess Fares

Please note excess fares will not apply.

Fair Processing Notice (FPN)

From April 2018, the CPS will provide a Fair Processing Notice (FPN) to all new applicants after they have been successful at interview. These candidates will be informed that, as one aspect of pre-employment screening, their personal details – name, National Insurance Number and date of birth - will be checked against the Internal Fraud Database (IFD) and that anyone included on the IFD will be refused employment unless they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances.

The Strategic Resourcing team in the CPS will, on behalf of the vacancy holder, inform applicants when they are refused employment because of their inclusion in the IFD.

Current Civil Servants

Please note, if you are a current civil servant and you are currently undergoing any of the following formal actions your application will not be progressed any further.

Formal discipline action, any formal action regarding attendance, poor performance or any restriction of duties as a result of disciplinary action.

Civil Service Commissioners

From April 2018, the CPS will provide a Fair Processing Notice (FPN) to all new applicants after they have been successful at interview. These candidates will be informed that, as one aspect of pre-employment screening, their personal details – name, National Insurance Number and date of birth - will be checked against the Internal Fraud Database (IFD) and that anyone included on the IFD will be refused employment unless they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances.

The Strategic Resourcing team in the CPS will, on behalf of the vacancy holder, inform applicants when they are refused employment because of their inclusion in the IFD.

Feedback will not be provided until the vacancy is complete

If you are dissatisfied with the recruitment process and wish to make a complaint, please contact Strategic.Resourcing@cps.gov.uk with your concerns.

If you remain dissatisfied and wish to make a further complaint, please click on the following link to the Civil Service Commissioners complaints page https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/

Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles can be found here –
https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/

Details of the Civil Service Nationality Rules are located at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements. For the most up-to-date information on the requirements of working in the UK, please go to the UK Visas and Immigration website: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

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

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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.