Head of Security Architecture
Cabinet Office
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 6th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
The Cabinet Office supports the Prime Minister and ensures the effective running of government. It is also the corporate headquarters for government, in partnership with HM Treasury, and takes the lead in certain critical policy areas.
We are the Cabinet Office’s Cyber and Information Security function. Our mission is to secure the Cabinet Office’s digital and information assets against misuse, and enable the secure delivery of the department’s mission. We do this by developing, operating, and governing the cyber and information security controls which protect our nationwide internal IT infrastructure, and high-profile citizen-facing digital services such as GOV.UK.
Job description
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Security Architecture to lead our security architecture team within the Cyber and Information Security function. As a key leader and member of the senior management team you will be responsible for leading the Security Architecture and Advisory Team which is responsible for the department-wide enterprise security architecture strategy, framework and roadmap, and helping the department’s IT and digital services to be secure by design. This role reports to the Deputy Director for Cyber and Information Security.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the design and implementation of the enterprise security architecture vision, principles strategy, framework and roadmap for the Cabinet Office.
- Ensure that central cyber security activities are aligned with wider strategic goals and the risk management framework for the Cabinet Office.
- Lead central engagement with Cabinet Office IT and digital services throughout the technology lifecycle to ensure that they are secure by design.
- Lead the central delivery of security architecture advice and guidance to the organisation.
- Lead the definition of relevant cyber security policies and standards for the Cabinet Office, aligned with best practice and cross-government standards.
- Represent the Cyber and Information Security function in technology governance and assurance meetings, at both a departmental and service level.
- Lead the Cyber and Information and Cyber Security function’s engagement with the wider architecture and technology community within the Cabinet Office.
- Work with cross-government stakeholders (e.g., GSG, NCSC) on wider cyber security initiatives and challenges.
- Maintain a strong understanding of IT, digital, and cyber security trends and emerging technologies.
- Act as an escalation point for, and provide coaching and mentoring to, security architects.
- Be responsible for leadership and line management of security architects.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Extensive experience in cyber security, across multiple technical domains and technologies including public and private hosting.
- Strong knowledge of enterprise security best practices, frameworks, and principles.
- A proven track record of implementing enterprise security architecture solutions that adhere to industry standards and regulations.
- Deep and evolving technical cyber security expertise.
- Experience successfully delivering challenging cyber security projects.
- Ability to establish and maintain trusted working relationships with key stakeholders.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Proven track record of leading and managing security architecture team in a complex, multi-disciplinary environments.
- Excellent analytical and problem solving skills with a proactive and forward thinking approach to solving security challenges.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience defining, leading or delivering threat modelling activities.
- Experience using the NCSC’s Cyber Assessment Framework.
- Relevant certifications such as SABSA, CISSP, or CISM.
Additional information:
A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- 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 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 your application you will be required to provide a CV setting out your career history, qualifications and previous skills and experience, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role.
Your CV will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the 'Person Specification' section of the job advert.
Should you be successful at sift, you will be invited to an interview. There will be 2 rounds of interviews.
First round - The first found will be a shorter interview assessing your experience.
Final round - The final round of interviews will assess your experience in more depth. You will also be assessed on behaviours during the second round of interviews. You will also be asked to deliver a 10 minute presentation on a relevant topic. Further details will be released for candidates successful at interview 1.
Please note - You must pass the first round of interviews to progress to the final round.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – WC 7th October 2024
Expected interview date/s – WC 21st October 2024
Interview location – Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
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 menurecruitment.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.
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 terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
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.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
A reserve list will be held for a period of 6 months, from which further appointments can be made.
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
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 applicant’s 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.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
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 : Gabriel Currie
- Email : gabriel.currie@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : menurecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response 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.
