UKDSE Assistant Head, Cyber Security Exports
Department for Business and Trade
Apply before 11:55 pm on Friday 15th November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Within the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE) provides a route to market internationally for the UK’s defence, security, cyber and maritime industries as well as attracting foreign investment. We provide specialist advice and assistance to business, in partnership with industry bodies and other Government departments.
Support to the defence, security, cyber and maritime sectors is strategically important to the UK. Their health and continued growth contribute significantly to our national prosperity. In addition, the nature of these sectors, and the stakeholders involved, mean they are fundamental to the UK’s national security and wider diplomatic and economic interests around the world. Beyond seeking to grow our economy, defence, security, and cyber exports are also critical to enabling industry to develop the capabilities needed to not only reinforce our own security, but also help our allies bolster theirs.
Within UKDSE, the Security & Cyber Team provide capability expertise and strategic planning to support the delivery of campaigns that enable UK companies to win business overseas. We are a small UK-based team, supported by an extended network of experienced staff in British Embassies and High Commissions overseas. This allows us to offer far-reaching, tailored export support to our many stakeholders.
Job description
The cyber security sector – which is dominated by small businesses, but with a small number of large prime companies - continue to grow at a rapid pace. As such, we need someone to lead on our strategy, engagement and trade promotion work for the sector.
As the Assistant Head for Cyber Security Exports, you will:
Work with colleagues in DBT to drive a strategic plan for cyber security exports
- Use intelligence and open-source reporting to identify and develop plans for strategic export campaigns.
- Develop a virtual portfolio office for cyber security exports to manage these campaigns effectively, in partnership with regional and cross-government colleagues.
- Identify and promote best practice from across DBT to support cyber security exporters.
- Work with specialist country and capability advisors to develop a programme of activities at events, exhibitions and online that will:
- promote UK cyber security companies internationally, and
- raise the profile of DBT’s support offer domestically.
- Work collaboratively across the team to ensure that senior officials (such as the Director UKDSE and UK Cyber Security Ambassador) are properly supported and deployed to support UK growth.
- Manage briefings for Ministers and Senior Officials on the cyber security sector, including responses to Parliamentary Questions and FOI requests, as well as other commissions from Private Offices, as required.
Partner with other Government departments to ensure DBT’s work supports HMG’s cyber security strategy
- Lead the implementation of DBT’s commitments under the 2021 National Cyber Strategy (especially in relation to the ‘Ecosystem’ and ‘Global Leadership’ pillars), providing regular updates and reporting progress in a timely manner.
- Develop positive and collaborative relationships with colleagues in other Government departments, in pursuit of team, departmental and HMG objectives.
- Champion support to UK cyber security companies across the Department and Government.
Support the growth of the UK cyber security sector through partnering with external organisations and companies
- Develop positive and collaborative relationships with the sector’s trade associations and other key interlocutors, to ensure the support available meets the needs of the UK cyber security industry.
- Support senior officials with briefing and advice at external engagements, including the Ministerially-chaired Cyber Growth Partnership and deputising when required.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- An understanding of cyber security capabilities.
- Demonstrable ability to develop close relationships with partners inside and outside their organisation.
- Ability to lead and influence outside of formal line management structures.
- Strong business planning and organisational skills.
- Good written and oral communication to brief internally and externally about the team’s work.
- Holds, or is able to attain, DV STRAP security clearance, to enable them to operate effectively with our national security partners.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of working with industry.
- Ability to talk to the business community confidently and knowledgeably.
- Familiarity with the issues surrounding trading internationally.
- Experience of working internationally.
- A formal project or programme management qualification.
Personal Attributes & Skills
This role would particularly suit an individual who is interested in working in a high-profile Government Department at the intersection of growth and national security.
Given that the successful candidate will be tasked with raising the profile of both our work and the sector, strong leadership and communication skills will be essential.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Changing and Improving
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
- 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 employer contribution of 28.97%
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
- A Personal Statement of up to 750 words explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.
It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Presentation - As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your interview.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Candidate Support
You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
Further Information:
- A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
- Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
- The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
- 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. Any applicant who has 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.
- Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
- Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
- This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.
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.
Vetting
DV - The requirement for DV is to have been present in the UK for at least 5 of the last 10 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Simon Goatcher
- Email : simon.goatcher@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
