About the job

Job summary

The National Security Secretariat (NSS) keeps the UK safe, secure and prosperous by bringing together the UK’s national security community, providing high-quality support to the Prime Minister and the National Security Council and maintaining centre-to-centre relationships internationally. Working within the wider Cabinet Secretariat and led by the Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser (NSA), we assist the Prime Minister and the Cabinet in the development, coordination and implementation of its highest priority objectives. 

Our overarching strategy is set out in the Integrated Review, which describes the Government’s vision for the UK’s role in the world over the next decade, and the action we will take to 2025. 

The NSS value professional and personal development for all of our staff and recognise that a continued focus on learning and development (L&D) will enable us to grow our capability. We are also committed to fostering a culture which welcomes new ideas and fresh perspectives, and supporting diversity and inclusion, including through flexible patterns and ways of working. 

We can offer stretching and engaging work to enhance career development and gain highly transferable skills. We expect our staff to rise to new challenges, demonstrating the agility required to respond to urgent and changing events, and to work collaboratively to achieve results both within NSS and across government. A role with the NSS is a real opportunity to impact the lives of our citizens and make a difference every day. 

Job description

The Investment Security Unit (ISU) is looking for three high-calibre individuals to join as Senior Investment Security Advisers.

The ISU leads the Government's screening of foreign investments into UK companies under the National Security and Investment Act (NSIA); assessing the risks that mergers and acquisitions, investments or the transfer of assets could present to the UK's national security.

These roles are at the heart of the operational response to changes in the global economy and the balance of power, as the ISU coordinates cross-government responses to protect our capabilities and critical national infrastructure. The ISU, located in the National Security Secretariat (NSS), is an exciting and diverse place to work, with teams delivering a range of operational, policy, analytical and international activities. Delivery of the National Security and Investment Act remains a Secretary of State top five priority and there is huge interest in this policy area from the Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet.

The ISU is hiring for 3x Senior Investment Security Advisers:

• Compliance and Enforcement (C&E) team (1 role).
• Risk Assessment team (2 roles).

The ISU cannot commit to allocating successful candidates with their preferred team but will try and accommodate preferences. We will take into account the specific requirements, interests and experiences of successful candidates whilst balancing the ISU's priorities and resourcing requirements - allocation will be discussed between the hiring manager and the successful candidate.

Responsibilities

Compliance and Enforcement (C&E) team (1 role)
The ISU's Compliance and Enforcement team aims to mitigate national security risks arising from Foreign Direct Investment by: monitoring compliance with the Act; advising the Secretary of State on enforcement action; and supporting the wider ISU in operating the NSI Act. The postholder would be responsible for leading compliance and enforcement elements of NSI cases to which they are assigned. Responsibilities will include; 

Analysing Information
You will manage a portfolio of cases and provide leadership to your direct reports and the wider team on their casework, making effective use of ISU and stakeholder relationships to identify and progress C&E issues. You will also lead more complex areas of C&E work (e.g. Variations, remedies development, implementation) and ensure deadlines are met and key developments are communicated upwards and across the team appropriately. 

You will support the work of finding effective remedies to national security risks, as well as monitoring for breaches of the Act and developing advice for Ministers on enforcement.  You will regularly produce high-quality written and oral advice to support senior officials and ministerial decision-making and will play a key role in keeping seniors and Ministers sighted on developments, often at short notice.  

Leadership
You will contribute to drawing out the policy implications of casework and their impact on the wider work of the C&E team and ISU and identify areas of review of C&E processes and procedures and suggest alternative options creating improvements and efficiencies. You will build, and contribute to a supportive, effective, and inclusive team culture, sharing knowledge and skills with less experienced colleagues and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of your teams work on the wider ISU and HMG.

Line Management
You will support colleagues who you have a direct line management responsibility for including regular check-in discussions and monthly 1-2-1 developmental sessions. You will prioritise people management and keep up to date with what is required of you as a manager, taking responsibility for reportees development and pastoral care.

Risk Assessment team (2 roles)
The ISU's Risk Assessment team is responsible for leading the cross-Whitehall and intelligence community risk assessment of cases passed on by the Risk Identification and Review team. These assessments cover the national security, economic and diplomatic implications of individual investments, identifying remedies to address risks and supporting ministerial decision-making. Responsibilities will include; 

Co-ordinating expertise
You will chair discussions across Government and collaborate with relevant partners to help coordinate the necessary expertise to make a judgement on the level of risk that an investment may pose. You will also work with policy advisers and NSI Legal Advisers to make an assessment of how NSIA could be applied to mitigate any national security risks arising from investments. 

Analysing information
You will conduct comprehensive analysis of views and assessments provided by partners across Government, as well as providing your own assessments. You will need to be able to think critically, often balancing competing views, to make a judgement on level of risk created by investments. You will consider how those positions may interact with wider HMG strategies and policies. 

Briefing and advising
You will regularly produce high-quality written and oral advice to support senior officials and ministerial decision-making. You will play a key role in keeping seniors and Ministers sighted on developments, often at short notice. 

Line Management
As a Senior Investment Security Adviser, you will be expected to contribute to the continuous improvement of our processes and ways of working. There may be line management responsibilities for 1 HEO; this will depend on business need.      

All three roles will involve supporting the day-to-day running of the ISU, ensuring that the unit is able to deliver the high-quality service for which it has become known. Including but not limited to:

• Developing policy responses to real-world challenges arising when using the NSI Act and associated powers
• Taking forward secondary legislation to ensure our powers continue to meet our operational needs
• Considering links between the ISU’s work and other Government priorities, including Free Trade Agreements and sector strategies
• Engaging internal and external stakeholders, including through presentations and publications. 

We are supportive of flexible working but these roles require candidates to work from the London office for the majority of the working week. Some degree of regular home working should be possible, subject to business needs, but the role requires regular access to the London office. Any flexible working arrangements would need to be agreed after appointment in line with business need and could be subject to change.

Person specification

We're looking for candidates who can lead efficiently in a dynamic operational environment, while also possessing the analytical skills and aptitude to cope with novel policy challenges that can have impacts beyond your area of work. You will need an eye for detail and look for ways to improve current systems and processes. We are looking for someone who knows how to present clear arguments, often from incomplete information, to help senior Ministers make decisions. 

You should be capable of building knowledge from experience and able to anticipate issues and identify trends which impact your work area. We are looking for individuals who are comfortable working as a team, with a track record of delivering high quality results to tight deadlines. If you are someone who cares about keeping the UK safe and prosperous, someone who seeks a rewarding, challenging and exciting role then we want to hear from you.

Essential

• Ability to confidently analyse a wide variety of sources of (sometimes) ambiguous information to arrive at a well-reasoned decision;
• Ability to deliver high quality work at pace;
• High quality drafting skills;
• Experience engaging with internal and external stakeholders at a range of levels;
• Excellent communication skills, able to communicate persuasively.
  

Desirable 

• Experience working on national security or economic security policy;
• Knowledge of, or an interest in, mergers and acquisitions or investment transactions;
• Experience tackling new or novel policy problems independently;
• Experience of working in a legislative casework function;
• Experience in working with cross-government groups and agreeing a way forward on issues where there are competing priorities.

Please note that whilst existing DV clearance is not required to be appointed to these roles, successful candidates must be willing to obtain SC and then DV. It is the responsibility of the applicant to have completed and returned an SC security questionnaire to United Kingdom Security Vetting as part of the onboarding process, otherwise a start date cannot be provided. Please note that these are reserved posts and therefore open to UK nationals only.

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 £44,500, Cabinet Office contributes £12,015 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

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, 500 word personal statement as well as three 250 word behaviour statements. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. 

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions and personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview.

Selection process

During the blended interview you will be assessed against the behaviours that are contained within this advert and strength based questions. The strength questions are ones in which we wish to gain your initial response.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – 6th May
Expected interview date/s – 13th May
Interview location - tbc

Further information

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

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

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

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years UK residency in the past 5 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 that whilst existing DV clearance is not required to be appointed to these roles, successful candidates must be willing to obtain SC and then DV before a start date can be issued.

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 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. 

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.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Reasonable adjustments

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.

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

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.