About the job

Job summary

In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.

The future of Health and Care relies on using digital technology to provide safer, more efficient, personalised care. However, this ambition will not be realised if the system is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. High profile cyber-attacks in the health sector, such as Ireland’s Conti Ransomware attack in 2021 and UK's Wannacry attack in 2017, make the real-world impact of cyber on patients and people in care clearer than ever.

A partnership between DHSC and NHSE, the Joint Cyber Unit (JCU) leads on cyber security across the health and care sector (including for NHS organisations, NHS England Regions, Integrated Care Systems, Adult Social Care Providers, and major suppliers of IT products and software to the sector) with an aim to increasing overall compliance against cyber security standards.

Working across a range of internal and external partners, such as the National Cyber Security Centre, the JCU is the core link in strengthening cyber resilience across the health and care sector to ensure organisations are cyber-secure, comply with relevant standards, protect patient data, and are able to respond effectively in the event of a cyber incident. The JCU is led by the Chief Information Security Officer for Health and Care and is responsible for articulating the vision, developing sustainable contracting and financial mechanisms, and commissioning services to protect the NHS.

The JCU is made up of cross-functional expertise including policy and strategy; communications and engagement; risk and assurance; cyber security technical expertise; finance; and project and programme management.

This role is within the Strategic Business Operations function. As a joint team of both DHSC civil servants and NHS England colleagues, we ensure the organisational effectiveness and efficiency of the directorate. We lead on the coordination of resources (people and budgets), the facilitation of parliamentary accountability, maintenance of delivery plans and risk registers, monitor performance and provide corporate governance for JCU. Additionally, as the ‘front door’ to JCU, we ensure the prioritisation and coordination of external commissions across the wider directorate.

Job description

We are seeking a proactive and experienced Senior Executive Officer to support the Joint Cyber Unit (JCU) Business Operations Unit and Office for the National CISO. This SEO role is critical for ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of the JCU. The successful candidate will assist in overseeing business operations, strategic planning, and administrative support, working closely with the wider team and reporting directly to the Strategic Business Operations team lead.

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds.  Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration and enhancing team working, learning, and support. 

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need. 

There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements. 

Person specification

Operational Support:

• Assist in managing the daily operations of the JCU, ensuring effective coordination and integration of activities.
• Lead on all DHSC HR and DHSC Finance
• Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of operational policies and procedures. 

Strategic Planning and Implementation:

• Collaborate with the Head of the Unit and the National CISO on strategic initiatives and long-term plans.
• Identify and help mitigate risks to the unit’s operations and objectives.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to streamline processes and enhance service delivery.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Responsible for DHSC commissions management, coordinating activity through the DHSC members of the Business Operations team. 
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent the JCU in meetings, briefings, and other forums as required.
• Ensure effective communication and information sharing across the unit and with other departments.
• Responsible for coordinating and assuring all of JCU’s Parliamentary
• Accountability including PQs/ FOIs 

Performance Management:

• Act as line manager to the DHSC Business Support Officer (1 HEO). 
• Responsible for the tracking and reporting of JCU deliverables as laid out in the JCU Business Plan. 
• Prepare and present regular reports on JCU performance to the Head of the Business Operations team and other senior stakeholders.

Key Skills and Experience:

We are looking for the following essential criteria:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Financial management and budgeting experience.
• Excellent strategic planning and project management skills.
• Hold or willing to undergo security clearance.

We are looking for the following desirable criteria:

• An interest in working within Cyber Security; however applications are encouraged if you have no experience of Cyber Security.
• Experience of communication skills in managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,025, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £10,806 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.

Sift date: W/C 12/08/2024

Interview date: expected W/C 26/08/2024

Interview location: By Video

The available interview slots will be released with the sift scores. 

Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Applications will be sifted on Behaviours and Statement of Suitability.

Please use your statement of suitability to (in no more than 750 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert. 

An initial sift based on the Lead Behaviour; Communicating and Influencing, and the Statement of Suitability, may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours, Strengths, and Experience.

To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers Website here 

Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy, may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months, and contacted if similar vacancies become available. 

Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Please note that applicants will require SC clearance. For SC clearance, candidates must have been a resident in the UK for the past 5 years.

This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Terms and Conditions

Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful. 

New Entrants to the Civil Service

New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:

• Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
• Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthday
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half pay
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
• Probation: 6 month probation period

Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion

All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above). 

Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotion

If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to DHSC 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

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 dhscrecruitment.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. 

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

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.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

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.