Army - Deputy Principal Security Advisor and Information Assurance Lead
Ministry of Defence
Apply before 11:55 pm on Friday 4th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, firefighters and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army.
Could you oversee and manage policy, and legislative requirements? Do you want to be engaged in the mitigation of threats across the physical, personnel and cyber domains? Do you want to work in the exciting growth area of cyber and security, working in support of Army, Defence and national security? If you are a strong communicator able to engage with stakeholders across the Armed Forces & Government, work efficiently and at pace, and enable efficient data management across multiple IT systems and security classifications, we need you!
This role works within the inclusive and innovative Cyber and Security team, part of the Information Directorate within Army Headquarters. The Army Headquarters provides forces to support operations around the globe and directs, develops and delivers the people, equipment, training and sustainment to ensure the Army is able to fight and win wars on land. An exciting job role exists in the Principal Security Advisor's (PSyA) Team as the Deputy PSyA and Information Assurance (IA) Lead for all IA and cyber risk issues. We are looking for a talented and motivated individual to join us to work as part of a mixed military and civilian team.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
Secure behaviours play an integral role in protecting both the UK, and our Armed Forces, against external and internal threats. Through this role, you will have the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of the threats facing the Army across the physical, cyber, technical and personnel domains. You will also become a member of the Government Security Profession, and there are further opportunities for continued professional development.
You will support the Army Principal Security Advisor (PSyA) and Senior Security Risk Co-ordinator (SSRC)/Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) in ensuring security, information assurance and cyber risk is delivered coherently across the Army in line with policy and Chief of the General Staff (CGS) Risk Appetite Statement. You will deputise for the PSyA as required and provide functional leadership for the Cyber Risk Management (CRM), Information Assurance (IA), including Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO), and STRAP teams in providing policy direction, guidance, and oversight to the Army on behalf of the Army PSyA.
Person specification
We are looking for a person with previous experience working in a security environment, ideally with management experience. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who can handle the pressure of coordinating a wide range of activities and should be comfortable working within the service management profession, willing to challenge established norms and process and be prepared to adapt to changing priorities. Applicants should also display a positive and professional attitude.
The successful candidate will be required to:
- Work in support of the Army PSyA to deliver coherent security across the Army. This is a fast paced and multi-faceted role.
- Assume the functional lead for Information Assurance (IA) and Secure by Design (SbD), co-ordinating and cohering activities of the CRM, IA and STRAP teams within the PSyA Branch in support of the 2* SIRO/SSRC.
- Represent the Army on appropriate MOD information security working groups.
- Take the lead for SbD and assessing the Army’s most critical and complex systems to support the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) and SIRO.
- Lead and develop the Army HQ IA team and wider pan-Army IA network (10 personnel).
- Support the STRAP Team to ensure the Army’s most sensitive assets and information are properly protected in accordance with HMG Policy.
- Oversight of Army cyber security activity, including risk management and engagement with Defence stakeholders.
They will also need to:
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and confidently with a broad range of people using a variety of styles (oral and written).
- Work independently, as well as part of a wider team. As Deputy PSyA, lead and manage the wider branch as required.
- Use research to gather stakeholder and audience insights from a variety of sources to inform plans.
- Have keen attention to detail and proof-reading skills.
- Excellent relationship-building and problem-solving skills.
- Own, manage and oversee the regular updating of Army Command Standing Orders.
- Be confident working across the O365 suite of applications.
Desirable Skills:
- A formal relevant certification, such as, but not limited to, CISM, CISSP, Degree, HND, HNC, or extensive relevant work experience.
- Membership of one or more recognised Professional Security Body.
- An understanding of the NIST Framework.
- An understanding of MOD Security, IA, Risk Management policies.
This is a Reserved post open to UK Nationals only due to the nature and classification of the information.
If successful, you will be required to obtain Developed Vetting (DV) clearance to take up this post. Please note the successful candidate may be able to start in post with SC clearance, whilst DV clearance is in progress.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Developing Self and Others
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Leadership
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
As a civil servant working alongside the Army, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects and a job that makes a difference.
The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.
Other benefits for Army civil servants include:
- 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
- Highly competitive pension scheme
- Personal and professional development of skills
- Alternative working patterns for many roles
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
- On-site Gym, Shop and parking
Learning and Development
We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.
A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career. Most of the training will be ‘on-the-job’, with the remaining ‘off-the-job’ training delivered by an external training provider. This means minimal disruption to your work alongside a big developmental opportunity.
Professional qualifications which can be achieved through an apprenticeship range from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs/ broadly equivalent to Scottish National 5s(N5s)), Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Levels//broadly equivalent to Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher (H/AH)), and Levels 4 -7, which can give you a foundation degree, a full Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree. They normally last between 12 months - 3 years, depending on the level of the apprenticeship.
Anyone can undertake an Apprenticeship and everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from developing their skills in an accredited way.
Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.
Discover my benefits- outlines the range of benefits available to MOD Civil Servants.
A Great Place for Veterans to Work scheme which was introduced by the Government in 2020 under the Veterans Strategy Action Plan which included the commitment of making the Civil Service a great Place to Work for Veterans. To be eligible for this scheme in the Civil Service, candidates must meet the minimum standard for the role being applied for and:
- have served for at least one year in His Majesty’s Armed Forces (as a Regular or Reserve); this includes time spent training
- be in transition from, or ceased to be a member of, HM Armed Forces
- not already be a civil servant, or be employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body
- There is no maximum time limit from when you left HM Armed Forces to be eligible for this initiative.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD 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/.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
At application you will be asked to provide a CV detailing your previous job history and previous skills and experience in the field of security. You will also need to provide a personal statement of no more than 500 words describing your experience in the field of security. You will also be assessed against the following behaviours -
- Leadership
- Delivering at pace
At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours -
- Leadership
- Making effective decisions
- Communicating and influencing
- Seeing the bigger picture
- Developing self and others
Application sifting is scheduled to take place within 7 days after the application process closes.
Interviews are likely to take place at Army HQ, Andover W/C 28th October. A minimum of 2 full working days’ notice will be provided for interviews. We endeavor to stick to these timeframes, but these are subject to change around business needs.
When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.
The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : David Duncan
- Email : david.duncan216@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
Further information
info@csc.gov.uk.
