Cyber Security – Deputy Head – Technical Assurance and Consultancy Service

This position can be based at either MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB, MOD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9NR or RAF Wyton, Huntingdon, PE28 2EA, with the expectation that you will be required to work onsite at RAF Wyton for at least 2 to 3 days per week.

Are you ready to work in one of the most interesting cyber security environments and share your experience to support national security?

Interested in projects at the cutting edge of world leading, military technology, such as next-generation fast jet capabilities, unmanned systems, highly secure networks, future warships & military vehicles and ground-breaking sensor technology?

The department has recently launched a totally new approach to Cyber Security called Secure by Design (SbD). This is an opportunity to be part of what is a transformational approach and to contribute to our continuous improvement and learning going forward.

So, who are we?

We are Defence’s Cyber Assessment and Advisory Service (CySAAS) team and we are part of the Cyber Defence and Risk (CyDR) organisation. CyDR sits at the forefront of cyber security and information technology and is responsible for driving MOD’s cyber transformation and for the Cyber Security Policy, Architecture, and Risk and Governance structure that guides it. 

Within CyDR, CySAAS consists of sub teams which assess specialist ICT, communication and weapons systems, provide assurance, support and advice across all of Defence. Our team thrives on curiosity, new ideas and creative thinking, driving a culture of exploring further and influencing wider, making Cyber security a leader in Defence.

We provide our specialist services across UK Defence working with our industry partners, other Government departments and our international allies.

As a Civil Servant, you’ll have access to our range of excellent benefits, including flexible working, discount schemes, generous leave allowance and a market-leading Civil Service pension.

Our commitment to your development is fundamental and you’ll be able to take advantage of fantastic learning and development opportunities, tailored to your role and beyond. Whilst in post, you’ll be able to gain industry recognised qualifications through a range of professional ICT courses and external training providers and we’ll support you throughout the process.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join our team and become part of our exciting future.

This post is eligible for a Digital Skills Allowance of up to £18,000 per annum. Eligibility for this allowance will be assessed at interview against 4 core technical skills only and reviewed annually in line with MOD policy.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

The Deputy Head Technical Assurance and Consultancy reports to the Head of Cyber Security Assessment and Advisory Services (CySAAS) and leads a group of specialists tasked with investigating novel and contentious applications of technology and practice to meet   defence’s challenges. From cyber protecting interfaces for complex military equipment to finding the safest ways to integrate commercial “off-the shelf” consumer electronics with bespoke secure communications systems, each day presents the opportunity develop your skills and experience.

The Team is also responsible for driving improvements in cyber security across defence’s existing systems through hard hitting assessments and advice to project teams about how their security can be improvement. You will manage the department’s risk exception process and so see, and help evaluate, the most intractable and far-reaching cyber risk issues that the department faces.

You will routinely brief and advise the most senior technical and business leaders in the department as they decide how to manage their risks.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your knowledge of technical vulnerabilities, testing and assurance, whilst working with some of the most complex and technically advanced systems and equipment in the world. As Deputy Head, you will be collaborating with national and international experts in cyber security and digital technology from across government and wider industry.

Responsibilities will include:

• Lead and manage a team of circa 18 FTE, to evolve and deliver technical information assurance services, including a technical laboratory.
• Lead and manage resources to evolve and deliver the department’s risk exception process under SbD.
• To help promote, implement and improve SbD, as the department moves from its legacy Accreditation approach to assurance to the more modern and effective project led assurance environment.
• Develop and sustain a highly skilled, professional and motivated workforce.
• Remain up to date and be a thought leader in modern technology and cyber security.
• You will be a member of the CySAAS Senior Management Team (SMT).
• Manage the provision of the workflow and information management systems that CySAAS and MOD Programme Teams use to manage their assurance tasks.

This position may be suitable for individuals with relevant skills and experience in information security governance & management, risk assessment & information risk management, technical security architecture or with appropriate skills gained in an ICT assurance or compliance environment.

We are committed to encouraging and enabling our staff to develop in and above their role and we will support you in undertaking further learning and development opportunities, within your designated field and beyond. Wherever possible, we will provide upskill learning options and further training to support your continuous professional development.

Desirable qualifications, accreditation, memberships or skills:

• Certificate in Information Security Management Principles (CISMP)
• Certified Information Security Systems Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Cyber Professional (CCP)
• MSc, BSc or HND in an ICT or engineering related discipline
• Membership of CIISP, CIISec, BCS or recognised equivalent
• CIISec framework skills: C1 – Enterprise Security Architecture Level 4

Ideally, you’ll also have the following:

• The ability to build long term relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Highly effective networking and the ability to advise and influence people.
• Experience of leading and managing a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences, synthesising information to portray key messages and facilitate effective decision making.

This post is eligible for a Digital Skills Allowance of up to £18,000 per annum. Eligibility for this allowance will be assessed at interview against 4 core technical skills only and reviewed annually in line with MOD policy.

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station, which is based on business assessment of where the work is best done) and working from home as a personal choice (if the role is suitable for this).  If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

This position can be based at either MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB, MOD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9NR or RAF Wyton, Huntingdon, PE28 2EA, with the expectation that you will be required to work onsite at RAF Wyton for at least 2 to 3 days per week.

Dependent on the business need, there may be a requirement to travel to meetings within the UK (or potentially occasional overseas visits).

If not already held, successful candidates will be required to undergo DV clearance.

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Information risk assessment and risk management
• Applied security capability
• Protective security
• Threat understanding

Alongside your salary of £67,820, Ministry of Defence contributes
£18,311 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

This post is eligible for a Digital Skills Allowance of up to £18,000 per annum. Eligibility for this allowance will be assessed at interview against 4 core technical skills only and reviewed annually in line with MOD policy.

Our benefits include:

• Learning and development tailored to your role with a dedicated minimum of 5 days per year
• 25 days paid annual leave rising (by 1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of five years’ service
• Ability to roll up to 10 days annual leave per year
• In addition to eight public holidays per year, you will also receive leave for HM The King’s birthday
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Parental and Adoption Leave
• Discounts on a range of services within and external to the civil service – Defence Discount Service, Civil Service societies for Sports and Leisure, Healthcare, Insurance, Motoring, Company discounts with Virgin, Vodafone, and Microsoft Office.
• In year rewards and ‘thank you’ schemes such as vouchers and gift cards
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• Please see Benefits Leaflet for more detail

Equality and Diversity

Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Defence Digital. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process if this is something you want to explore.

Defence Digital operates an organisation model in which every individual belongs to a Government Profession. The successful applicant will be posted into one of the defined Government Professions on Standard Terms of Reference for the grade. Defence Digital reserves the right to move individuals between roles, within their allocated profession, to meet the needs of the business and in support of agile resourcing.

Within Defence Digital each profession is led by a Professional Head of Community who will lead professional development and support the Continuous Professional Development path for their group.

The post does not offer relocation expenses. 

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. 

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. 

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.  

Any move to MOD 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/. 

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.  

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. 

Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities.  Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions. 

Open to UK nationals only.

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Job contact :

• Name : Defence Digital Talent Acquisition Team
• Email : ukstratcomdd-hr-talentacqdel@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk