About the job

Job summary

The Information Technology Security Officer (ITSO) is a high-profile role directly responsible to the Commanding Officer for the oversight and management of Communications and Information Systems (CIS) Security, operating as part of the Security Cell and leading on creating policy and maintaining security for highly sensitive systems. The post holder will be the focal point for all aspects of CIS Security on site.

This is a customer facing role in a small specialist team and will require an individual who is able to manage the demands of balancing workloads, is an exceptional team player and has a proven track record in delivering a high-quality service to all colleagues.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. 

Job description

We are looking for a hard-working and enthusiastic individual with strong interpersonal, organisational, and collaborative skills who can identify key stakeholders and establish relationships with personnel across the MOD and deployed overseas. They will work in a specialised team of individuals from diverse backgrounds and will be able to assist in IT upskilling, finding opportunities for improvement, and provide expert technical advice regarding asset management policy and processes.

The ITSO will have wide range of digital and physical security tasks in this role, including monitoring and recording hardware, software, and network changes as well as the management of various MOD IT systems up to ABOVE SECRET classification. As manager of the Unit’s Secure Asset Database they will ensure that any missing or damaged IT equipment and potential security risks are reported immediately to the appropriate authorities. They will also manage who has access to these systems and will lead on CIS security incidents within the Unit, from conducting investigations through to the conclusion of the incident, recommending appropriate actions to take and ensuring all relevant parties are kept up to date on progress.

This role is very much a customer focused role and you will need to be able to deal with stakeholders at all levels, both internal and external, as you will liaise with cross-governmental departments as well as key stakeholders within the private sector. You will also be representing the Unit in security committees and working groups.

As this is a dynamic and ever-changing landscape the above is indicative of the kind of things you will be expected to do but is not exhaustive and there is a great deal of scope for you to grow the role in the ways you deem necessary. You will have the opportunity to shape the future of Information Technology Security within the Unit whilst also influencing security processes across wider Defence.

Person specification

We are looking for an individual who is able to respond to and prioritise independently based on rapidly changing events and Operational requirements. Providing IT security expertise in support of global operations, you will be required to engage effectively with multiple partners across different grades in our and other external organisations. The applicant needs to be a well organised, self-motivated individual who has the ability to prioritise and manage a full workload whilst balancing business needs.

Responsible for the security of critical systems, the post-holder will need to exercise sound judgement and apply a keen eye for detail. They will need to be a confident, self-motivated and articulate individual, who is comfortable briefing some of the most senior officers on the site. Alongside enthusiasm and motivation to succeed in the role, they must possess good levels of IT skills. Previous experience working within the MOD will be highly desirable.

As part of a specialist team the post-holder should be quick to build relationships amongst the Department and wider Unit which enables efficient collaborative working to achieve shared goals. Effective written and verbal communication is essential in order to deliver results.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,300, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,641 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.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

All applications will go through an initial sift and those successful will be invited to attend an interview.

Personal Statement: Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. (Word count 750)  

At Sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

 At Interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk  

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.  

The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. 

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.