About the job

Job summary

Business unit information  

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. 

Job description  

The Threats, Incident Response and Coordination team sits within an award winning team in GSG to provide cross-government support, guidance and coordination to manage and mitigate security incidents and promote a shared understanding of threats as they apply to government.

We are looking for a Higher Executive Officer to work on short-term operational incident response and longer-term strategic planning. As the Threat and Response Officer, you will  play a key role in developing a shared understanding of cross-government threat, lead on data analysis to build a fuller picture of cross-government security challenges, and help facilitate a coordinated response in the event of a major security incident. If you are keen to step into government security or threat assessment, we’d like to hear from you.

This role will:

• work with stakeholders and operational partners across HMG and the police to deliver effective incident response and develop a consistent threat picture in relation to the safety and security of Government. 
• Provide data analysis to identify trends and challenges in government security, working with partners to recommend mitigations.

Job description

The role holder will work on all the areas listed below and will lead on the delivery of several (exact responsibilities will be divided across the team depending on skills and priority areas):

• Establish strong relationships with a broad range of stakeholders across Government, Parliament, police, and intelligence agencies to drive work and build an understanding of threat;
• Work closely with departments and external stakeholders in response to major security incidents or events;
• Deliver a quality service to departments, by monitoring a range of sources and seeking out further information on security incidents or events to facilitate timely sharing of intelligence.
• Provide data analysis of cross-government security incident reports, identifying trends and risks and recommending mitigations
• Support the development and implementation of exercises, addressing key threats to the government estate;
• Prepare high-quality briefings and submissions for Ministers and seniors; responding to Parliamentary Questions and other requests when needed.

Personal and Professional Development

If you are interested in the post and have relevant, transferable experience and skills, back yourself and apply. GSG is committed to supporting people’s personal and professional development and in providing training.  We will help you to develop your knowledge and skills and help you build a rewarding and challenging career in government security.

Person specification

Key Skills:

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• Ability to work collaboratively across the breadth of internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the confidence to represent the organisation at external and internal engagements.
• Ability to proactively, rapidly and effectively respond to changing situations in complex and often high-profile environments.
• The ability to function effectively within high-pressure environments.
• Strong written and verbal skills with the ability to communicate information clearly.
• Ability to analyse data sets and identify trends.

Experience:

• Experience of making connections and developing opportunities across policy areas, being alive to wider issues and trends.
• Experience of adapting at pace to rapidly changing priorities.
• Experience of using evidence from a range of sources, including data, to drive improvements.
• Experience of data analysis to identify key trends and assess risks. 
• Experience of producing concise and clear briefings/reports on complex issues.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in a security, intelligence or analytical environment
• Knowledge and understanding of security best practice and relevant policies.
• Experience of working in incident response or threat assessment.

The post-holder will need to have SC clearance on appointment and may be required to undergo Developed Vetting  (DV). 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,250, Cabinet Office contributes £10,327 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.

Application process

To apply for this role you will need to submit a CV and Personal Statement (750 words). The Personal Statement should demonstrate your experience and skills, and how these meet the essential criteria for the job. 

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

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

Successful candidates will be invited to an interview, either in person in London or virtually (using Google Meets). Where you will be assessed against the behaviours and your experience.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – w/c 7 January
Expected interview date/s – w/c 15 January
Interview location - TBC

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 at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Complete the ‘assistance required’ section in the ‘personal information’ page of your application form to provide information we should be aware of that will enable us to support you further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Equality and Diversity 

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.

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 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. The postholder may be required to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) following appointment.

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.

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.