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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Strategy
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About the job
Job summary
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 Governments 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.
The Cyber Directorate was formed in September 2022 following an independent review of GSG capability and priorities. A new Cyber Director post was created within GSG and existing teams leading three deputy directors, each leading one of the following teams: Cyber Operations and Assurance, Cyber Transformation, and Cyber Policy and Capabilities.
We are responsible for delivering the first Government Cyber Security Strategy. Our purpose is to make Governments critical functions significantly hardened to common attacks by 2025, and all government organisations across the public sector resilient to known vulnerabilities and attack methods no later than 2030.
Job description
Role information
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in: ensuring that core government functions are resilient to cyber attack, strengthening the UK as a sovereign nation, and cementing its authority as a democratic and responsible cyber power. Working at the heart of government, as part of the Cyber Security Transformation Team within the Cyber Directorate in the Cabinet Office. The Cyber Directorate is committed to supporting the development of its staff, in this role you will have the opportunity to access a range of both formal and informal learning and development opportunities in this role.
The Cyber Security Transformation team is looking to recruit an Assistant Head of Strategy Implementation, who will be responsible for ensuring the transformational objectives outlined in the Government Cyber Security Strategy (GCSS) remain relevant and integrated into the wider government agenda. This will require updating GCSS objectives, influencing other work across government to ensure alignment and leading work to make the strategic and economic case for change as part of the forthcoming Spending Review.
Key areas of responsibility
The post holder will be responsible for:
- Lead the directorates response to the next spending review; working closely with HM Treasury, NCSC, and other government departments to secure funding to deliver on the ambitious objectives of the GCSS, including clearly setting out the case for investing in cyber security.
- Integrating the strategic outcomes of the GCSS into the agenda and objectives of wider government – supporting the digital and cyber skills agenda, and supporting implementation of National Security objectives.
- Shaping the agenda, remit and influencing decision making of both the Government Cyber Advisory Board (an bi-monthly board which brings expertise from academia and industry to government), and the Ministerial Cyber Board (a bi-annual board which is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and which acts as Ministerial oversight for the GCSS) to ensure they provide the highest level of constructive challenges and support delivery of the GCSS
- Continuing to evolve the GCSS objectives and priorities ensuring that these remain fit for purpose by considering the evolving threat context and wider government priorities.
- Leading on providing strategic advice to departments on local cyber security strategies to ensure they are fit for purpose and enable government organisations to raise their cyber security maturity in an evolving threat landscape.
Day to day responsibilities may include:
- Leading and providing advice on identifying new innovative opportunities for delivery.
- Providing strategic advice to Ministers, senior officials and governance boards via submissions, papers and briefings
- Providing strategic advice to teams across the cyber directorate. This will include identifying opportunities, risks, and interdependencies between the GCSS and other work across government.
- Engaging with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to understand their requirements, manage expectations and provide advice on delivery of GCSS.
- Represent Cabinet Office at cross government cyber security strategy boards to understand and support the strategic aims and bringing in the GSG cyber perspective.
- Line management of at least 1 SEO.
Person specification
Essential skills and experience:
- Experience of working on strategy implementation across disparate business units or government departments
- Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to articulate a strategic vision for a complex organisation or system, to ensure a range of internal and external stakeholders are engaged and supportive.
- An ability to work with initiative, accurately and calmly in a fast-paced and sometimes ambiguous environment.
- Proven analytical and problem-solving skills that help assess and understand problems, break them down to devise and propose innovative policy solutions
Desirable skills and experience:
- Knowledge and understanding of HM Government coupled with an ability to confidently navigate Whitehall.
- Experience/knowledge of working in the delivery of Cyber Security projects.
- Experience of leading on fiscal events.
- Experience of working collaboratively to influence investment strategy and decision making.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
£13,687 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%.
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, a 750 word Personal Statement, and two 250 word submissions on key Behaviours. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Behaviours and strengths will also be assessed at Interview.
The personal statement should be no more than 750 words and should demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the key areas of responsibility and how you meet the essential and desirable person specifications.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
We will assess you against these behaviours during the interview process and you will also be asked some strength based questions.
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date w/c Monday 21st August
Expected interview date/s w/c Monday 28th August
Interview location – remote via Google meet
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 via cabinetofficerecruitment.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 youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
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.
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.
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/Disclosure Scotland 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.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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 offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants 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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Philippa Smith
- Email : philippa.smith@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: info@csc.gov.uk.
For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.
