NCSC Software Application Lifecycle Manager


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Details

Reference number

319509

Salary

£32,092
with the opportunity to qualify for an additional Technical Skill payment, which has a starting payment of around £3,000 – £4,000. It is expected to take 1-2 years to reach the base skills level and can take 5+ years to reach higher levels. Skills payments are periodically reviewed and are subject to validation of experience and practical application within the workplace.
A
Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job grade

Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Administration / Corporate Support
Analytical
Architecture and Data
Audit
Business Management and Improvement
Engineering
Information Technology
Policy
Project Delivery

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Homeworking, Part-time, Compressed Hours

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

Cheltenham

Job summary

At GCHQ, we unlock the complex world of data and communications to keep the UK and its citizens safe, both in the real world and online. Working closely with our British Intelligence partners in MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from threats including serious organised crime, terrorism, and cyber-attacks. A role in GCHQ means you’ll have varied and fascinating work in a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork. 

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, is the UK Government’s lead authority on cyber security. The organisation is at the heart of the Government’s cyber security strategy and has the aim of making the UK the safest place to live and work online.    

NCSC is offering an exciting opportunity working as a Software Application Lifecycle Manager, within NCSC Engineering. We build, manage and support services, which provide real value to both internal and external users. As part of this vital team you’ll play a key part, working across department and with industry partners to provide rigorous and consistent approaches to the way we architect, deliver, and maintain our systems and services and provide a coherent view of the operational and security risks we face across our IT estate. It is critical we understand what is important and work out how to improve the now so that we can ensure we secure the future.   

Not only is this a fantastic opportunity to support NCSC and be a part of an increasingly diverse and inclusive team, we also support full time, part time, compressed and flexible hours and are committed to offering remote working across our organisation dependent on role requirements.  This role will be around 50% (plus) office based with working from home available the remainder of the time.  We appreciate bringing the right mix of minds together to succeed and welcome applications from everyone including those with diverse working patterns. 

Job description

As a Software Application Lifecycle Manager, you’ll be working across the Department and with industry partners to develop, assure, and support our SaaS (Software as a Service), Cloud based Applications. We are looking for creative and innovative individuals who can adapt to change easily and would be willing to be flexible in an environment where priorities and requirements can change quickly and may even result in the successful applicant being considered for other sectors of NCSC Engineering should the current landscape change.    

You’ll have a passion to drive change and improvement as you support and administer the Software Application estate in the NCSC Engineering sector, utilising expertise within the NCSC to support improvements and remediation. You’ll work with key stakeholders and build strong relationships using this as leverage to deliver key Application Management, including Change Management, License Management, and technical support as Software moves through life.  

Collaborative and communicative, you’ll set the standard for what good looks like, sharing innovative ways of working with the team,  delivering results together with an analytical approach through Agile and Sprints. You’ll be full of ideas and independently provide input and advice in various forms to suit the needs of the sector: including promoting the adoption of existing guidance and best practice, providing consultancy to stakeholders, and engaging with industry groups. Previous experience and knowledge of License Management, SaaS, Cloud, SLACK, Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM, Amazon Web Services (AWS), AZURE, and/or GitHub would be advantageous; however, training and support will be provided. This is a versatile role and is applicable to those with experience, but also those starting out on their technical career.  

Alongside core work, you’ll have the chance to join training workshops and other hands-on collaboration activities, including an opportunity to further develop your software development skills. There may even be an opportunity to travel for training and collaboration. 

Person specification

You’ll be a good communicator and comfortable communicating with lots of different audiences, people from technical and non-technical backgrounds, in a way that’s clear and compelling, both verbally and in writing. You’ll handle professional relationships with tact and sensitivity, working well with others as you build rapport and influence key stakeholders. You’ll be making a vital contribution as you help to ensure the smooth running of services and delivery.  

You’ll be comfortable managing the competing priorities of different stakeholders and uncertainty regarding requirements and deliverables; using your curiosity and awareness to find creative solutions to complex problems. 

You’ll be confident in working autonomously and using your analytical skills to navigate assigned tasks. Since you’ll be working regularly with cloud infrastructures and platforms, a background in Software Application Management would be an advantage, but ultimately a willingness to learn and an enthusiasm to succeed is what we want.  

Experience is advantageous, but not essential, we’re looking for core skills, and are committed to developing our staff for the future. Professional development is supported, so you’ll receive ongoing training and mentoring. We’re keen to invest in you, so there’s lots of tailored coaching and mentoring.  Whatever your professional goals, we’ll work with you to build the skills you need to excel at your role and throughout your career.   

GCHQ Competencies  

The NCSC will assess you against competencies used by the UK Intelligence Community. These competencies are based closely on the Civil Service Behaviours.  

The Level 2 competencies you’ll be assessed against are: 

Further information on Civil Service Behaviours 

Alongside your salary of £32,092, GCHQ contributes
£8,664 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

At NCSC and GCHQ, we are proud of our inclusive and supportive working environment that’s designed to encourage open minds and attitudes.  As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we are committed to helping you fulfil your potential. With comprehensive training and development opportunities, tailored to your needs and the requirements of your work, we’ll enable you to flourish in your role and perform to the very best of your abilities. 

You’ll receive a starting salary of £32,092 with the opportunity to qualify for an additional Technical Skill payment, which has a starting payment of around £3,000 – £4,000. It is expected to take 1-2 years to reach the base skills level and can take 5+ years to reach higher levels. Skills payments are periodically reviewed and are subject to validation of experience and practical application within the workplace. 

Other benefits: 

  • 25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays 
  • An environment with flexible working options 
  • Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme. 
  • Interest-free season ticket loan (parking and travel)
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
  • Paid parental and adoption leave.
  • Excellent pension scheme – Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27% 

Selection process details

At GCHQ diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. 

Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website: 

Disability Confident 

GCHQ are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people.  Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer a person-to-person interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role.  This is our ‘Offer of Interview’ (OOI). To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are: 

  • Can demonstrate the ability to work in Software application management, for example through work experience, personal projects, or related study – to be assessed at application sift. 

Selection Process 

What to Expect 

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order: 

 

1. On the application, you will be asked to provide a personal statement. Please break this down into two sections: 

  • Explain why you are interested in the role. (up to 250 words). 
  • Explain your suitability, focusing on what you bring to the role, your skills, qualifications, and experience. (Up to 500 words).  
  •  Where candidates are applying that may not have any recognised qualifications or accredited skills, and rely on experience alone, please provide evidence for how you will develop this, and why you want to move within this subject area (up to 250 words).  

2. Application sift 

3. Interview 

4. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, subject to vetting 

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 – 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you to continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer. 

Before You Apply 

To work at GCHQ, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.  

This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here.  

Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage. 

The role is based in Cheltenham, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application, as we do not offer relocation costs. 

Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.  

The closing date for this role is: 11:55pm Thursday 2nd November 2023. 

Right to Withdraw Statement:  

Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment. 

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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available.
You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

  • Name : Sarah
  • Email : sarah.h2@ncsc.gov.uk

Recruitment team

  • Email : ncscrecruitment@ncsc.gov.uk
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