Head of Cyber Operations
Home Office
Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 26th September 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Head of Cyber Security Operations is responsible for leading the Detect & Response, Threat Operations and Engineering teams that work 24/7 to protect the department from cyber threats.
As a member of the Home Office Cyber Security (HOCS) Senior Leadership Team, you will oversee the protection of sensitive data and systems which underpin the department’s Critical National Infrastructure including but not limited to Borders, Immigration and Citizenship, Policing and Fire.
This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the security of the UK’s digital assets.
If you're interested in finding out more, we are holding a Home Office Cyber Security candidate information event on 17th September. You will find out about working for the organisation, hear from staff on their experiences working in Home Office Cyber Security Roles and learn more about our recruitment process. Please register here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cybersecurity-drop-in-event
Job description
As Head of Cyber Security Operations your responsibilities will include:
- Leading large operations teams and overseeing the design, development, and delivery of automated monitoring processes, advising on the latest Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and network analysis tools, techniques and procedures to detect malicious activity, while communicating directly with leadership on the progress and status of monitoring.
- Identifying new and emerging technologies, products, services, methods, and techniques to enhance the operation capabilities of the Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC); and assessing their benefits, cost, performance, and sustainability in safeguarding business delivery.
- Setting direction and recommending investment in tooling and capability to address strategic enterprise-wide risk.
- Overseeing the wider implementation of a monitoring strategy, ensuring roadmaps are achieved as expected, ensuring requirements, policies, and standards to govern all activities and outputs are met.
- Leading on senior stakeholder engagement across government to create plans in aligning CSOC operations with wider government strategies.
- Overseeing the implementation of security incident management strategy including the people, processes and technology that underpin it.
- Providing advice to senior leadership on ways to improve control mechanisms, identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks.
Note: The Head of Cyber Security Operations may be required to carry out other duties within the scope of the grade and within the limits of their skill, competence, and training.
The successful candidate will be located in the Soapworks, Manchester regional office. Under Home Office hybrid working practices there is an expectation that you will attend the office for a minimum of 60% of your working hours.
Due to the nature of the role, this post is available on a full-time basis only.
Person specification
Essential skills
We are looking for a Cyber Security specialist looking for a new and interesting challenge with the following skills, knowledge or prove experience in;
- Leading and developing cross-functional teams.
- Knowledge of targeted cyber-attacks, particularly on how to respond and mitigate their impacts.
- Experience in performing monitoring, conducting analysis, and overseeing recovery procedures.
- Communicating effectively at senior levels, including up to ministerial level, about cyber threats and incidents to build. awareness and support incident remediation.
Technical skills
SFIA capability framework
Skills for the information age (SFIA) is the technical framework that sets the standard capability and development of all DDaT skills in the Home Office. This is a link to the capability framework: All skills A–Z — English (sfia-online.org). We use set SFIA technical skills to form our interview questions and we will assess you against these technical skills during the selection process.
Strategy and Architecture
- Governance, Risk and Compliance
- Risk Management (BURM) – Level 4
- Strategy and Planning
- Strategic Planning (ITSP) – Level 4
- Security and Privacy
- Information Security (SCTY) – Level 4
- Advice and Guidance
- Specialist Advice (TECH) – Level 4
Change and Transformation
- Change Planning
- Business Process Improvement (BPRE) – Level 5
Relationships and Engagement
- Stakeholder Management
The skills listed above are reflective of the Home Office DDaT Profession Skills and Competency Model (based on the industry standard SFIA framework).
Qualifications
Essential
- Candidates must hold or be prepared to undergo NPPV3 and DV clearance
Desirable
- A degree in Cyber Security or appropriate level of proven, demonstrable, and current experience in a similar role/environment
- Achieved appropriate level of qualifications such as CISSP, CISM or qualifications from an industry recognised provider e.g. SANS, ISC2, ISACA, CEH etc.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Risk Management (BURM) - Level 4
- Strategic planning (ITSP) - Level 4
- Information security (SCTY) - Level 4
- Business process improvement (BPRE) - Level 5
- Stakeholder relationship management (RLMT) - Level 5
- Specialist Advice (TECH) - Level 4
Benefits
This role is part of the Digital and Data Technology profession, and utilises a Capability-Based Pay Framework to determine an employee’s total compensation, based on their level of skills capability. The advertised role aligns to Principal Cyber Security Risk Manager in the framework.
Successful applicants will be invited to complete a Capability and Skills Assessment post-interview. The value of any allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of skills and experience. Please see the attached guidance pack for more information on the skills relevant to this particular role.
You’ll also have access to the same benefits available to all civil servants in the Home Office:
- Membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- An in-year performance bonus scheme.
- 25 days annual leave on appointment, plus 8 days public holidays and 1 day for the King’s Birthday, rising further with service.
- Flexible working options to enable you to achieve the work life balance that right for you including part-time, flexi time and job sharing.
- Training and development opportunities tailored to your role.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- Season ticket loans and rental deposit loans.
- Cycle to work and payroll giving.
- Employee discounts - including a huge number of retailers, Microsoft Home Use programme and gym membership.
- A variety of staff recognition schemes including thank you vouchers.
- Health and wellbeing initiatives including monthly mindfulness sessions.
- Staff support networks.
- Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks of statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid.
- Maternity and adoption support leave (paternity leave) of 2 weeks full pay.
- Up to five days paid leave for volunteering.
- Study leave and support for studying for a qualification or other accredited development relevant to your role.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.
1. Application – by 26th September 2024
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete:
- A CV, detailing job history, relevant qualifications and skills
- A statement of suitability (Max 1000 word limit)
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please note your CV and statement of suitability should include all relevant experience that relates to our essential skills criteria listed in the job advert.
For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
Please use STAR format in your examples – use this link The STAR method , National Careers Service / A brief guide to competencies - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Please remove information that identifies you (for example your name, age, or place of education) so that you will be judged on merit alone and not your personal background, circumstances, race, or gender. Do NOT include e-mail addresses or links to online profiles, resumés, or prior work, either personal or business. Active links or e-mail addresses will result in your application being rejected.
2. Sift - week commencing 30th September 2024
The sift will be held on the CV and the statement of suitability.
3. Interview – week commencing 14th October 2024
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview where you will be asked questions based on:
- Behaviours and Technical Skills listed in the job advert.
Additionally as part of your interview:
- You will also be asked to deliver a presentation on a given topic. Details of the presentation will be provided to candidates who are invited to attend an interview.
Interviews will take place remotely. Candidates will be required to have access to:
- A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
- Good internet connection
- Microsoft Teams
It is advisable to access your interview from a windows operating system laptop, desktop, phone or tablet as there is no guarantee that Microsoft Teams will work without issue on an Apple laptop, tablet or desktop.
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.
Reserve lists will be held for each location and profession. Candidates will be appointed in merit order by location and profession.
Candidates judged to be a near miss at interview may be offered a post at the grade below the one advertised without the need to go through a further selection process, providing the role has the same Success Profiles elements and essential skills. There is no guarantee that further such vacancies will arise.
Additional Security Checks
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
Further information
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
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.
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up. For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is 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 HOrecruitment.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 you're deaf, a language service professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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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 : AC Recruitment Team
- Email : ACrecruitment@homeoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
HORecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
