Inspector – Network and Information Systems


Apply Now
 

Details

Reference number

283153

Salary

£40,262 – £44,724
A technical uplift is payable on the successful completion of the probationary period (usually 8 months after starting). This is a supplement to the pay rate for Inspectors to reflect the technical skills of the role. For details of our pay on appointment policy, please see below under the heading ‘Salary’.

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

DEFRA – ERM – Floods & Water – Drinking Water Inspectorate

Type of role

Governance
Information Technology
Knowledge and Information Management
Operational Delivery

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

The Drinking Water Inspectorate is based in Central London. Currently all staff are employed on the basis of working in the London office, but a certain amount of flexibility can be allowed within the system as long as both business and team needs are met.

Job summary

The Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018 (NIS Regulations) extend the original Drinking Water Supply regulations to include greater emphasis on the security and reliability of information systems which control drinking water production or delivery; and in particular the later day threat of cyber security.

The key responsibility for Inspectors will be to ensure that drinking water companies take appropriate and proportional technical and organisational measures to manage risks posed to the security of the network and information systems on which their essential service (drinking water) relies.

A significant area of activity will relate to cyber security, but physical security of assets may also be required.

Job description

The Inspectorate regularly needs to respond to an evolving risk picture, or incidents which impact on the water network. Therefore the post holder will need to be flexible and able to adapt quickly to changing work priorities and may be required to participate in the Department’s response to a security incident. This may include out of hours working on occasion, but the Inspectorate makes every effort to allow for individual personal circumstances and offers a range of flexible working options including remote working and some working from home.

  • Evaluation of annual self assessments by Operators of Essential Service (OES) against the Cyber Assessment Framework
  • Logging and assessment of any reported incidents from the sector
  • Scoping of, preparation for and completion of verification audits with selected OESs
  • Making recommendations regarding any enforcement action that might be required to address gaps in compliance
  • Preparation of new and revision of existing guidance for OES on meeting the requirements of NIS
  • Preparation of the annual reports on compliance against NIS and the activities of the Inspectorate in England and Wales for Ministers
  • Routine liaison with Inspectorate colleagues, Defra, Welsh Government and OESs
  • Contribution towards regular internal performance and financial reports

Person specification

The role requires a candidate to drive continuous improvements in cyber resilience across the drinking water sector and on an interpersonal level, the post holder should have an enquiring mind with good communication and influencing skills and the ability to make effective decisions.

Candidates should be aware that there is an additional requirement for:

  • Time and project management skills in order to deliver the audit programme to schedule
  • Technical knowledge of water supply and/or cyber security
  • Experience within water industry, cyber security or working for a regulator
  • A tertiary level qualification in a subject related to water supply or cyber security
  • Knowledge of effective governance of risk assessment and mitigation systems
  • Ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with a range of stakeholders and colleagues
  • Good IT skills with familiarity with software such as Excel and Power BI

Licences

As travelling is an integral part of the job, often to areas not served by public transport, you must have a valid driving licence.

Memberships

Candidates should have attained or already be working towards chartership of a professional body relevant to cyber security or the water industry.

Behaviours

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

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Learning and development tailored to your role
  • An environment with flexible working options
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Blended Working

Defra operates a blended working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.

Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs.  There is flexibility to split the working week, spending minimum of 40-60% in the workplace, unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or you are a contractual home worker.

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, personal statement, behaviour statements. 

Your Personal Statement (750 word max) It is very important that applicants take the time to share details of their qualifications, their experience and skills and explain how these are transferrable to the Inspector – Network Information Systems role and what attracted them to the post.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on behaviours, strengths and a written exercise.

The written exercise needs no prior preparation and is used to measure an applicant’s experience in the water industry.

Interviews to be held remotely by MS Teams.

Location

Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

If you are successful in your application and your base working location is London, please be aware that Defra’s Nobel House Office at 17 Smith Square, London will be closing in December 2023. 

This means that Defra new joiners will be located alongside existing colleagues in offices a short distance away from Nobel House in our other office at 2 Marsham St, London. 

To work from 2 Marsham Street, you will require the higher level of CTC clearance. Therefore, confirmation of appointment to the advertised post will be dependent upon successful CTC clearance being confirmed as part of pre-employment checks.

Internal (core Defra) employees can apply for this role and choose to remain in their current location or to be based in one of the advertised locations.

All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised locations.

Defra continues to support a blended working model and candidates are currently expected to attend their office base  for 40-60% of the week.

Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.

Reserve List

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

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Reasonable Adjustment

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 defrarecruitment.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.

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Criminal Record Check

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.

Internal Fraud Database Check

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 offenses. 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.

Full Time Only 

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Higher Security Clearance 

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

Childcare Vouchers 

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

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 counter-terrorist 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 Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
  • relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

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.
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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 : Suzanne Calmels
  • Email : suzanne.calmels@defra.gov.uk
  • Telephone : 0330 041 6501

Recruitment team

  • Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact:

Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission

Share this page

 
 

Apply Now

Posted

in

, , ,