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. GSG is transforming the Government’s approach to protective security to ensure it is fit to meet the challenges of the digital age. 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 one of the following teams: Cyber Operations and Assurance, Cyber Transformation, and Cyber Policy and Capabilities. 

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 aim to develop all our staff to enable them to make a full contribution to meeting the Department’s objectives, and to fulfil their own potential on merit. 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, 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.

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
• Provide advice and guidance to the Government Chief Security Officer, GSG units and wider government on risks, threats and opportunities of cyber security and technology
• Oversees a team of cyber experts to determine direction and prioritisation of advisory and expertise capability
• Set 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
• Manages the delivery of programmes of work by defining programme models, managing resourcing, setting direction, monitoring progress, and providing regular feedback to team members.
• Continuously monitors the team's progress towards achieving goals and ensures that all tasks are completed on time and within budget.
• Ensures that all team members are aware of their individual responsibilities and deadlines, and provides support when needed.
• Communicates regularly with team members to provide guidance, feedback, and motivation.
• Evaluates team performance and productivity, and makes necessary adjustments to improve results.

Person specification

Essential skills and experience:

• Evidence of leading a team including setting direction and vision for a team
• Supportive leadership skills and experience of growing and developing diverse teams
• Working closely with and setting direction for teams with technical experience and expertise
• Strong, persuasive communication skills and the ability to distil and summarise complex information to a range of different audiences
• Experience working in cybersecurity or digital, data and technology, preferably with cyber policy or technical teams
• Experience leading complex programmes of work and projects

Desirable skills and experience:

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

Level of Security Clearance required:

• You must be willing to undergo DV

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, Experience and Technical skills.

Application process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, 750-word Personal Statement and 250-word Behavioural Statements. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Your application will be sifted based on experience and behaviours. The behaviours will be:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead Behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture. 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 against strengths and behaviours and technical capability in cyber security. The strengths will be:

• Organiser
• Team Leader

The Behaviours will be:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

The Technical capability will be assessed through a short prepared presentation on a topic set in advance.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – w/c Monday 1st January 2024
Expected interview date/s – w/c Monday 8th January 2024
Interview location - remote via Google Meet

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 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.

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

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.