Head of State Threats and Cyber Policy

London. A degree of flexible working is available and encouraged but given the classification of many of the issues the post holder will be required to work in the office the majority of the time.

About State Threats and Cyber

Leading the development of policy responses to a range of threats and integrating Defence capabilities as part of a whole of Government approach to ensure the UK’s national security, prosperity and political and military freedom to operate. Working with across government partners to provide timely advice to Ministers and senior officials on matters related to State Threats and Cyber activity taking place across the globe.

• Managing public and Parliamentary interest in counter state threats and Cyber, including disclosure, legal and media inquiries.
• Working with the regional and thematic teams across SPO to coordinate Defence activity; including crisis responses, long-term campaigns and Defence engagement.
• Work closely with Defence Intelligence, Intelligence agencies, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and National Security Strategy (NSS) on policy and governance.
• Supporting the Director of National Security, Director General Security Policy and Deputy Chief of Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Operations in providing oversight and governance to operational policy.
• Cohering and driving MOD outputs in support of the broader UK counter state threats strategy.
• Supporting across government leadership forums to develop MOD’s contribution to meeting the UK’s national security objectives.

The Head of State Threats and Cyber Policy role is responsible for leading the development of policy responses to a range of threats and integrating Defence capabilities as part of a whole of Government approach to ensure the UK’s national security, prosperity and political and military freedom to operate. The Security Policy and Operations Directorate is currently undergoing a reform and elements of the role may change in the future. There will also be a requirement to participate in crisis management.

Key Responsibilities

The current responsibilities of the role include:

• Cohering and driving MOD outputs in support of the broader UK counter state threats strategy.
• Co-ownership of a significant element of the counter state threats strategy with Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCDO), ensuring coherence across Government to achieve the desired outcomes.
• Leading policy implementation for defensive and offensive cyber capabilities and operations within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), alongside partners in FCDO and UK Intelligence Community. Act as the MOD policy lead on certain special capabilities.
• Provide operational policy support to Military Strategic Effects.
• Direct financial responsibility for three funds to deliver programmes valuing up to c£6M over the Spending Review period.
• Leadership and management of a team of 25 staff.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their experience and skills against the following essential criteria:

• Strong corporate leadership skills, with leadership strength in a complex and dynamic environment, and an ability to inspire, engage and motivate a diverse team.
• An excellent track record of strategic thinking, and experience of translating strategy and policy into successful delivery.
• A proactive, driven and energetic problem solver, focused on delivery outcomes.
• Outstanding policy professional with a range of policy experience.
• Highly developed political nous, and personal gravitas coupled with excellent oral communication skills with a proven ability to present complex issues simply and effectively.
• Finely tuned judgement with highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills, and a proven ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a strong field of candidates when there is a need to distinguish between candidates. This will be as a second sift, after the essential criteria has been considered:

• Knowledge and experience of working in or with Defence.
• Knowledge and experience of operational or strategic cyber policy.

• 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%

This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration
is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them
to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through
building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above.
This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions.
Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and
conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your
personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any
absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you
to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Open to UK nationals only.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

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Job contact :

• Name : SCS Recruitment Team
• Email : People-CivHR-SCSCandidateSupport@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : People-CivHR-SCSRecruitment@mod.gov.uk