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. 

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 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.

The Investment Security Unit leads the Government's screening of foreign investments into UK companies; assessing the risks mergers and acquisitions, investments or the transfer of assets could present to the UK's national security. Almost a year into delivery of the new National Security and Investment Act, the Unit is at the heart of the operational response to changes in the global economy and the balance of power, as it coordinates cross-government responses to protect our capabilities and critical national infrastructure. The Unit is an exciting and diverse place to work, with teams delivering a range of operational, policy, analytical and international activity.  We report directly to the Deputy Prime Minister and there is huge interest in this policy area from the Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet.  We are a welcoming and inclusive team, actively seek a broad range of skills and perspectives to enable working across the breadth of national security, economic and international policy and we strongly encourage applications from individuals from under-represented groups.

The National Security and Investment Act, which commenced at the start of January 2022, protects the nation from potential security risks resulting from foreign investment. It bolsters the UK’s status as an attractive place to invest by providing more efficient scrutiny of relevant acquisitions and more certainty and clarity for investors and businesses. 

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 advisors and NSI Legal Advisors 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. 

Supporting the ISU’s function. 

You will support the day-to-day running of the ISU, ensuring that the unit is able to deliver an outstanding service for ministers and businesses that interact with it. You will contribute to the continuous improvement of the ISU, whether that is by leading a piece of L&D, supporting and coaching colleagues, or by contributing to our many wellbeing initiatives, you will play a key role in maintaining and building on the inclusive culture on which the ISU prides itself.

You will report to the Deputy Head of Risk Assessment. There will also be opportunity to support wider casework across ISU, including considering interventions under the Act, supporting the Unit’s international engagement work, and developing policy.

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. 

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 home working should be possible, subject to business need, but applicants should note that it is unlikely that specific working from home days will be agreed on a permanent basis. 

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 someone who can work 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 be someone who is able to spot opportunities for improvement to help the whole team work better, as well as identifying novel ways to apply the legislation.  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 need people 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:

- high quality drafting skills;

- experience engaging with stakeholders internal and external to government;

- ability to analyse multiple sources of (sometimes) ambiguous information and make decisions confidently;

- 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 of working to deadlines, with an ability to prioritise tasks;

- tackling new or novel policy problems independently;

- experience of analysing information and forming appropriate conclusions;

- experience in working with cross-government groups and agreeing a way forward on issues where there are competing priorities;

- existing DV clearance

Please note that in the event of a high number of applications being received, we will sift on the lead behaviour only. CVs will not be scored. 

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 and Strengths.

Application process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete four 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 undertaken using the lead Behaviour, Seeing the Bigger Picture. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

Selection process

During the blended interview you will be assessed against the behaviours that are contained in 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 – w/c 4 March 2024
Expected interview date/s – w/c 11th and 18th March 2024
Interview location - London

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.

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

Please note that successful candidates will be expected to obtain DV level clearance once in post, this will require a period of 10 years within the previous 10 years UK residency. 

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

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.