About the job

Job summary

The Government Security Function (GSF) oversees the delivery of protective security across Government. Our Mission is to enable Government to protect citizens and provide vital public services by understanding and managing security risks. We set the strategy and standards for Government Security, monitor departmental security performance, manage pan-government security incidents, support the delivery of key security capabilities and lead the Government Security Profession.

The Government Security Group (GSG) is the centre of the Security Function, based within the Cabinet Office. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced, dynamic team, with a breadth of stakeholders including in other Government departments, the National Technical Authorities and the Agencies, and to contribute to delivering improved security across Government.

The Cyber Directorate was formed in September 2022 following an independent review of GSG capability and priorities. A new Cyber Director post was created within GSG and existing teams leading three deputy directors, each leading the following teams: Cyber Operations and Assurance, Cyber Transformation, and Cyber Policy and Solutions.

We are responsible for delivering the first Government Cyber Security Strategy. Our purpose is to make Government’s critical functions significantly hardened to common attacks by 2025, and all government organisations across the public sector resilient to known vulnerabilities and attack methods no later than 2030. 

GSG’s culture embraces a diverse workforce: we come from all walks of life. GSG values the fact that our different backgrounds, cultures, genders, experiences and ways of working ultimately bring us together as a more effective team. We strive for a collegiate and inclusive working culture that means our voice at every level is heard. Each one of us has a part to play in helping the Government to keep the UK secure. 

GSG also wants to do better at recognising that we have responsibilities outside of work – so that we not only work hard, but we work smart – whether that’s full time, part-time or job sharing, we work flexibly. We promote hybrid working with a combination of time spent in the office and at home, where appropriate.

GSG is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We value and welcome diversity. We will not tolerate harassment or other unfair discrimination on grounds of sex, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, religion or sexual orientation. We promote and support the diversity of our workforce, promote learning and development, and celebrate our successes.

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the capabilities team within the Cyber Directorate developing Government cyber security capabilities such as horizon scanning, cyber security expertise as well as the running of priority projects.

The Cyber Directorate is responsible for the Government Cyber Security Strategy, ensuring that government departments are able to effectively defend themselves and each other, and to be resilient to common cyber attacks.  

You will act as one of two leads within the Cyber Policy and Capabilities team, which provides risk-driven, accessible and implementable cyber policy and guidance to the government sector; and for providing deep technical knowledge applied strategically to help GSG respond to an evolving cyber threat environment. 

You will be responsible for taking the lead on the strategic direction of the capabilities team, the development of capabilities to match, and the implementation and use of those capabilities across Government Security Group and out into wider government.

Your team has a mix of capabilities that enable you to sense, analyse and understand the current cybersecurity landscape across government, to understand the evolving cyber threat environment, and to effect change through advice, guidance and critical priority projects.  They work on areas as varied and interesting as artificial intelligence, post quantum cryptography, insider threats, the government cyber skills gap, ransomware and cyber deception technologies.  They seek to understand not just the threats posed in an evolving technological environment, but the opportunities for government and how to safely and securely make use of it.

You will work closely with your policy colleagues, supporting them in the development of risk-driven, accessible and implementable cyber policy through the use of the capabilities you have developed and the understanding of the environment.  You will provide advice and guidance to the entire cyber directorate, the wider government security function and directly to the Government Chief Security Officer to enable effective and risk-driven decision making. You’ll be a key stakeholder and strategic driver in the development of future iterations of the Government Cyber Security Strategy, the implementation plans, and sub-strategies that arise, as well as supporting departmental strategy making and transformation.

Our cyber posts attract a skills based DDAT pay lead. This post is subject to a DDAT skills assessed non pensionable pay lead. In certain circumstances exceptional candidates may be eligible for a higher starting salary.

Key areas of responsibility

The post holder will be responsible for:

• Setting strategic direction for capabilities that help Government implement the Government Cyber Security Strategy
• Providing advice and guidance to the Government Chief Security Officer, GSG units and wider government on risks, threats and opportunities of cyber security and technology
• Overseeing a team of cyber experts to determine direction and prioritisation of advisory and expertise capability
• Setting direction and priority for a team of analysts to carry out horizon scanning of new cyber threats, opportunities and risks, including defining a process for prioritisation, audience engagement and feedback to ensure customer value
• Setting up and overseeing programmes of work through setting direction, managing resourcing, monitoring progress, and providing regular feedback to project managers
• Continuously monitoring the team's progress towards achieving goals and ensures that all tasks are completed on time and within budget.
• Ensuring that all team members are aware of their individual responsibilities and deadlines, and provides support when needed.
• Communicating regularly with team members to provide guidance, feedback, and motivation.
• Evaluating team performance and productivity, and makes necessary adjustments to improve results.

Person specification

Essential skills and experience:

• supportive leadership skills: developing and growing diverse teams through setting clear directions and vision 
• working closely with teams with diverse experience and expertise including technical backgrounds 
• positive and clear communication skills, with an ability to distil and summarise complex or wide-ranging information to diverse audiences 
• leading complex programmes of work or projects 
• preferably some cyber policy and/or technical work, or experience of working with/in cyber security / data / digital environments 

Desirable skills and experience:

• Preferably some experience setting and/or inputting into cross government or national strategies
• Preferably some experience working with analysts and analytical products
• Strong interpersonal skills and preferably some experience of working across organisational boundaries with a range of stakeholders

Level of Security Clearance required:

• Willing to undergo DV

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 £64,700, Cabinet Office contributes £17,469 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.

Application process

To apply, please provide the following:

• A name blind CV
• A 500 word personal statement answering the question: What do you think is the greatest risk to Government cyber security?  Explain why you draw that conclusion and what you suggest Government should do to mitigate that risk. 
• Two 250 word submissions on the following civil service behaviours:
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Leadership

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken on your CV and personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Selection process
Should you be invited to interview you will be assessed on:

• Your technical capability through a short, 5 minute, prepared presentation on a topic set in advance
• Strengths
• The following Behaviours:

Behaviours:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership

Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – w/c Monday 3rd June
Expected interview date/s – w/c Monday 17th June or Monday 24th June (TBC)
Interview location - in person in London or remote via Google Meet if requested 

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 an 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 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.

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.

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

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 /Disclosure Scotland 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. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

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.

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

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.