Senior Policy Adviser - Cyber Security for Digital Service Providers

Job content

Location

Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham

Summary

About the job

This is an exciting opportunity to help determine the future direction of cyber security policy in the UK. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) is the department for digital and we are driving an ambitious digital agenda to make Britain the most connected, tech friendly, innovation-driven, digital skilled and cyber-secure country in the world.

DCMS’ Cyber Security Directorate works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre, Cabinet Office and Home Office to deliver a cohesive package of HMG support for cyber security through the National Cyber Security Strategy 2016-21.

The Securing Emerging and Critical Technologies team works across Whitehall and industry to understand emerging cyber threats to critical and emerging technologies, assess the policy landscape, consider the effectiveness of regulation, and co-design policy solutions such as security standards. We are working to ensure businesses and citizens are able to use digital products and services with confidence in their security, whilst also protecting national security.

If you are inquisitive, excited about technology and/or cyber security, and passionate about helping the UK’s world-leading digital economy continue to grow safely then we would love to

hear from you.

Job Description

We are looking for an ambitious new team member to join our friendly policy team. This role offers the opportunity to lead a strand of work at the centre of Government’s agenda to keep the UK secure from cyber threats. In managing a team of one or two staff, you will be responsible for taking forward policy solutions, including new legislative interventions, to support effective cyber risk management and resilience among Digital Service Providers.

As the suppliers of cloud computing, managed services or software, Digital Service Providers are critical enablers of the digitisation of the UK’s economy, and organisations throughout the UK depend on these digital services to operate securely. Yet, recent major cyber incidents have demonstrated that Digital Service Providers also pose security risks to customers and systemic threats to the UK’s economic prosperity and resilience if unmanaged.

This is a demanding and rewarding role that offers excellent development opportunities. You can expect an exciting, fast-paced and varied workload. You will be expected to lead the team to work collaboratively across Whitehall, and with a broad range of industry stakeholders. The job requires excellent influencing and communication skills and the ability to build strong and trusted networks across industry and Government. With high levels of exposure to Ministers, central Government and industry, this role would suit confident candidates looking to develop their careers and gain experience across the policy development cycle.

ResponsibilitiesThis is not a technical role and you do not need any special knowledge of cyber security, though an ability to develop and apply technical knowledge may be an advantage. DCMS will offer training and support to provide the necessary groundings in cyber security.

Some Of Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Analysis of Government and market levers and their potential as policy intervention options for improving cyber risk management practices among Digital Service Providers.
• Developing and delivering policy interventions, especially regulatory reforms, designed to manage the risks associated with Digital Service Providers.
• Collating key sources of data to ensure policy analysis is evidenced-based and robust, including strategic engagement with industry to collate qualitative evidence through workshops and consultations.
• Managing external contracts for research, analysis and horizon scanning.
  

You will need to demonstrate your skills and experience against the following criteria:

Essential

• Established policy development skills, including experience in developing legislative interventions.
• Ability to provide vision and direction to generate buy-in and lead on a work programme across Whitehall.
• Strategic stakeholder management skills and confidence in representing your organisation’s interests. Building strong working relationships with stakeholders inside and outside of your organisation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including confidence in presenting complex issues to senior stakeholders.
  

Desirable

• Ability to develop and apply technical knowledge
• Knowledge of relevant cybersecurity regulation (e.g. NIS, GDPR)
• Maintaining key relationships with Whitehall partners in BEIS, Home Office, HMT, Cabinet Office, and the NCSC.
• Engaging with industry representatives, including senior executives, on their cyber risk management and supply chain security, to understand best practices and barriers.
• Management of one or two Band B (SEO/HEO) line reports.
  

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
  

Benefits

You’ll receive over 30% of your total compensation package in benefits:

Flexible working arrangements and Flexi-time

26.5 days annual leave on entry increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service.

Exceptional contributory pension scheme

3 days of paid leave for L&D

5 days of paid volunteering

Parental leave up to 9 months on FULL pay

Occupational sick pay

Brilliant and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, BAME, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Women’s Network.

Access to one of the world’s largest learning and development platforms

Masterclasses and talks through the DCMS Academy

Season ticket loan, Cycle to work scheme and much more!

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application process

We encourage all candidates to apply for this role.

To apply for this post, you will need to submit the following documentation to us. This should be completed no later than 23:55 on Monday 2nd August 2021 via the CS Jobs portal.

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.
  

The Anticipated Timetable Is As Follows

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change.

Shortlisting - we aim to conduct sifts w/c 2nd August 2021.

Interview Dates - interview dates will be conducted w/c 16th August 2021.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band

DCMS has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the candidate information pack.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland /Access NI on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance 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-Employment.Checks@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Any move to DCMS will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

A reserve list will be held for 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

The expectation within DCMS is that staff will normally remain in post for a minimum of 12 months for band C, 18 months for band B and 24 months for band A/AU and will not apply for DCMS roles on level transfer during that time.

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.

Interviews are held remotely and successful candidates get to experience our bespoke remote on-boarding process. Although initially remotely, the role will be based at the location stated in this advert.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact

the email address in the “Contact point for applicants”; section.

Reasonable adjustment

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 DCMSRecruitment.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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality Requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.