NCSC Cyber Consultant

GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe.  We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity, and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats.  Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks, and espionage.  At GCHQ you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive 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 seeks to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.

NCSC is offering you an exciting opportunity working as a Cyber Consultant within the Connected Places (Smart Cities) and Managed Service Provider sectors, focussing on strengthening and improving the systems and capabilities that support the collective resilience involved in designing, building, and managing connected places. The team works closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology as well as Local Authorities and various industry partners and expert groups across the sector.

The Connected Places and Managed Service Provider team is part of the wider Private Sector Critical National Infrastructure (PS CNI) team. PS CNI builds resilience in the country’s most critical services. They work across various CNI sectors including Energy, Civil Nuclear, Transport, Communications, Finance, Chemicals, Space, Food and Water, as well as connected places and managed service providers. Naturally, this is a key priority for the Government, particularly considering the targeting of our infrastructure by our adversaries.

We are an externally focussed team within NCSC’s National Resilience and Future Tech Directorate, working to improve cyber security and resilience of UK CNI. Not only do we work directly with critical private sector organisations, providing authoritative advice/guidance and bespoke hands-on support, but we also work across Government to influence strategy, policy, and regulatory regimes. CNI is a key priority for the Government, particularly considering the current importance of resilience and the targeting of our infrastructure by adversaries.

As a Cyber Consultant, you’ll be working with the relevant Government Departments and industry partners in the Connected Places and Managed Service Provider sectors to develop its security and resilience. You could also be considered for other sectors of PS CNI where relevant in this recruitment campaign.

You’ll have a passion to improve the cyber security and resilience of our most critical sectors. You’ll work with sector stakeholders and customers and influence situations and people and through regular communications you’ll help everyone build an understanding of key services, systems and technologies with the sector and the threats they face. Everything you do will help bring stakeholders and customers along for the journey as you help them understand the benefits of secure ways of working and get them ready to play their part in the process.

With your team, you’ll then work to utilise the expertise within the NCSC to support improvements to threat awareness, cyber security practice and risk management in the sector.

To deliver this, you’ll provide input and advice in various forms to suit the needs of the sector: including promoting the adoption of existing guidance and best practice, creating new guidance, providing consultancy to stakeholders, and engaging with industry groups.

Adaptable, motivated, and collaborative, you’re the type of person that relishes solving problems and are willing to experiment to find a solution.  A skilled communicator you’re able to build rapport and influence a range of customers and stakeholders.  You understand how to communicate complex messages clearly and tactfully and work collaboratively, including building new relationships, chairing meetings, and providing leadership for delivery.

You’ll be comfortable managing the competing priorities of different stakeholders and uncertainty regarding requirements and deliverables; using their curiosity and awareness of the bigger picture to find creative solutions to complex problems. Holding senior stakeholders to account to bring the plan to life within the organisation.

The set of technologies and expertise we use is varied and growing all the time, and with this in mind we don’t expect any one candidate to have a vast breadth of experience.  Knowledge is desirable in Cybersecurity and/or information assurance, consultancy, or policy experience however don’t be put off if you haven’t insight in these areas, as we’re looking for core skills and there’s plenty of opportunity for future development.  Professional development is supported, so you’ll receive ongoing training and mentoring.

You’ll support GCHQ’s values of integrity, ingenuity, impact, and teamwork.

Inclusion is at the heart of our organisation. You’ll actively encourage a supportive and inclusive working environment, celebrating differences and contributing to a culture where everyone can thrive.

We embrace hybrid working in PS CNI, providing the opportunity to work from home or the office. You’ll need to work from the office at least fortnightly, and be able to travel for in person meetings, both in London and at sites across the UK. You’ll need to be flexible to respond to the needs of the sector and PS CNI ensuring successful delivery to develop the PS CNI Security and resilience.  This is a full-time role, but we are open to flexible working patterns and applications from part time applicants.

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 3 competencies you’ll assessed against are:

• Seeing The Big Picture (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Seeing the Big Picture)
• Communicating and Influencing (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Communicating and Influencing)
• Working Collaboratively (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Working Together)
• Making Effective Decisions (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Making Effective Decisions)
• Delivering Outcomes (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Delivering at Pace)

Further information on Civil Service Behaviours

You’ll receive a starting salary of £39,166. There’s potential opportunity to qualify for a skills payment in the region of £5,000 to £10,000, plus an opportunity to reach higher skills payment of around £23,000 in this role. It’s expected to take 12 months to 5 years to reach the base skills levels and 6 years plus to reach higher skill levels. Skills payments are assessed after you join and are periodically reviewed and are subject to validation of experience and practical application within the workplace. The skills payments described here are for guidance only and subject to change.

For London based roles, you’ll receive an additional £6,250 London Allowance.

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%

Job contact :

• Name : Ben H3
• Email : Ben.H3@ncsc.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : ncscrecruitment@ncsc.gov.uk