Preston
Job Summary
Established in 2020, the National Cyber Force (NCF) is responsible for operating in and through cyberspace to counter, disrupt, degrade and contest those who would do harm to the UK or its allies, to keep the country safe and to protect and promote the UK’s interests at home and abroad.
The UK will use cyber operations as part of its diplomatic, economic and military activities. The NCF is at the heart of this, extending the UK’s competitive edge as a responsible, democratic cyber power, by
- Countering threats from terrorists, criminals and states using the internet to operate across borders in order to do harm to the UK and other democratic societies.
- Countering threats which disrupt the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data and services in cyberspace (i.e. supporting cybersecurity).
- Contributing to UK Defence operations and helping deliver the UK’s foreign policy agenda (for example intervening in a humanitarian crisis to protect civilians).
In addition to GCHQ and the Ministry of Defence, the Secret Intelligence Service and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory are core partners bringing cutting edge espionage and research techniques
The NCF is establishing its future Headquarters in Samlesbury, Lancashire.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is to have an empowered, productive, personally and professionally fulfilled workforce. Whatever your role, we take your career and development seriously. We want to enable you to build a successful career with the Department and wider Civil Service. We are committed to understanding, respecting, and representing as broad a range of views and backgrounds as we have in UK society. We know that diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to an effective, modern Civil Service.
This position will be based in our new facility in Samlesbury, NW England, which is currently under construction. Candidates who join the organisation before the facility is ready for use will be required to work temporarily from, and/or travel to other appropriate facilities within the UK. Candidates are invited to discuss this with the vacancy holder at interview and prior to accepting the role.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week
Job Description
National Cyber Force is comprised of blended cross-organisational teams which bring together their extensive skills and knowledge. To house our growing organisation, we will soon be moving into our new headquarters in Samlesbury, South Lancashire. These two factors mean that delivering our EDI and Culture Strategy is essential for our future success. We are looking for someone to lead the implementation of this Strategy.
As a member of our welcoming and supportive EDI and Culture team, you will work closely with the Head of EDI to contribute to the delivery of a strategic priority in a high-profile and hugely significant area of work. This evolving role requires innovation and flexibility in an environment where individuals are empowered and trusted to apply their expertise.
To be successful in this role, you will need to be:
Inclusive: You will be passionate about building an inclusive culture for all. You will create opportunities for others to share their ideas. You will develop an understanding of accessible best practice, and use this to ensure all are empowered to contribute.
Able to give and receive challenge. You will have the opportunity to constructively challenge decisions at all levels to ensure the best outcomes for our people, considering wider factors and long-term implications. You will also welcome challenge on your own decisions, creating psychologically safe spaces for differing views to be expressed.
Emotionally Intelligent. You will work effectively with people from a broad a range of organisational cultures. Emotional Intelligence will be critical to understanding and showing empathy for the challenges our people face, enabling you to create and enhance initiatives that drive maximum workforce engagement.
A Strong Relationship Builder. You will collaborate with multiple business areas across NCF, in particular our People Team, Communication and Engagement team, and the Senior Leadership Team. You will quickly establish effective working relationships based on mutual respect and trust, and leverage these relationships to deliver outcomes. You will influence and motivate colleagues across the partnership.
Adaptable. NCF is undergoing significant change. You will be able adapt to change yourself, and sensitively support others to do the same.
Role Description
You will work on a range of tasks which will be tailored to your strengths, skills, work pattern and desired areas of development. These will include:
- Undertaking learning and development and upskilling as required.
- Maintaining strong working relationships with key stakeholders to ensure organisational EDI activities are aligned to wider defence and civil service strategies.
- Providing advice and support the development of workforce policies that promote fairness and embed diversity in the workplace by creating and sharing EDI content in a clear, accessible and compelling way.
- Improving awareness of Diversity and Inclusion across Partner Organisations identifying trends, collaborating on interventions and promoting EDI initiatives.
- Assisting with the planning and execution of annual internal and external Inclusion events.
- Representing the partnership at EDI boards, focus groups and communities of practice.
National Cyber Force is comprised of blended cross-organisational teams which bring together their extensive skills and knowledge. To house our growing organisation, we will soon be moving into our new headquarters in Samlesbury, South Lancashire. These two factors mean that delivering our EDI and Culture Strategy is essential for our future success. We are looking for someone to lead the implementation of this Strategy.
As a member of our welcoming and supportive EDI and Culture team, you will work closely with the Head of EDI to contribute to the delivery of a strategic priority in a high-profile and hugely significant area of work. This evolving role requires innovation and flexibility in an environment where individuals are empowered and trusted to apply their expertise.
To be successful in this role, you will need to be:
Inclusive: You will be passionate about building an inclusive culture for all. You will create opportunities for others to share their ideas. You will develop an understanding of accessible best practice, and use this to ensure all are empowered to contribute.
Able to give and receive challenge. You will have the opportunity to constructively challenge decisions at all levels to ensure the best outcomes for our people, considering wider factors and long-term implications. You will also welcome challenge on your own decisions, creating psychologically safe spaces for differing views to be expressed.
Emotionally Intelligent. You will work effectively with people from a broad a range of organisational cultures. Emotional Intelligence will be critical to understanding and showing empathy for the challenges our people face, enabling you to create and enhance initiatives that drive maximum workforce engagement.
A Strong Relationship Builder. You will collaborate with multiple business areas across NCF, in particular our People Team, Communication and Engagement team, and the Senior Leadership Team. You will quickly establish effective working relationships based on mutual respect and trust, and leverage these relationships to deliver outcomes. You will influence and motivate colleagues across the partnership.
Adaptable. NCF is undergoing significant change. You will be able adapt to change yourself, and sensitively support others to do the same.
Skills
You will work on a range of tasks which will be tailored to your strengths, skills, work pattern and desired areas of development. These will include:
- Undertaking learning and development and upskilling as required.
- Maintaining strong working relationships with key stakeholders to ensure organisational EDI activities are aligned to wider defence and civil service strategies.
- Providing advice and support the development of workforce policies that promote fairness and embed diversity in the workplace by creating and sharing EDI content in a clear, accessible and compelling way.
- Improving awareness of Diversity and Inclusion across Partner Organisations identifying trends, collaborating on interventions and promoting EDI initiatives.
- Assisting with the planning and execution of annual internal and external Inclusion events.
- Representing the partnership at EDI boards, focus groups and communities of practice.
Person specification
The successful candidate will be able to communicate clearly and with accuracy to a wide variety and grade of stakeholders. Able to draw insight from your own emotions and those of others, you will be able to create and share a clear vision of the future. You’ll be able to demonstrate your commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, inspiring and influencing those around you.
Experience of working with Defence and UK Intelligence Community is desirable.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
Alongside your salary of £36,530, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,582 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
This role attracts a National Security Payment allowance of circa £2,500 p.a. 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.
- 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%
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.
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.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
In your application, please provide examples that focus on your activity and the impact of your activity.
At Sift You Will Be Assessed On The Following
Experience: You will need to provide a CV
Personal Statement: You will need to provide a personal statement explaining your interest in the role and the relevant experience you bring in no more than 250 words.
Behaviours
- Changing and Improving
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
If a large number of applicants are received, the sift will be conducted with: CV, Personal Statement, Changing and Improving Behaviour, Communicating and Influencing Behaviour
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.
At Interview You Will Be Assessed On The Following
Behaviours
- Changing and Improving
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
Nationality Requirements
Open to UK nationals only. To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, your application will still be considered.
Security
Successful candidates must meet all the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is enhanced developed vetting (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Required
Enhanced Developed Vetting is required where an additional level of assurance is required. It can only be requested by a small number of Sponsors and only with prior agreement with UKSV and the Cabinet Office. Checks involved include, but are not limited to:
- successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard
- completion, by the individual, of a DV Security Questionnaire
- a departmental/company records check which will include personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
- a check of both spent and unspent criminal records
- a check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- a check of Security Service records
- a full review of personal finances
- a detailed interview conducted by a trained Investigating Officer
- further enquiries, including interviews with referees conducted by a trained Investigating Officer
- checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire
- the full review of personal finances will include an assessment of an individual’s assets, liabilities, income and expenditure both on an individual basis and taking into account the joint position with a spouse or partner.
Additionally, candidates will need to meet the business validation standard and pass a drug test prior to appointment.
While the existence of NCF is not a secret, its people are, and discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or close family. You should also make them aware of the importance of discretion. You should not mention your application on social media or discuss it with anyone else at this stage. You will receive further guidance during the recruitment process.
Before you apply, we advise you to consider setting up a separate email address for your contact with us, to ensure your personal and application correspondence remain separate. Try to avoid having identifying features in your email address, such as your first and/or surname and date of birth. This is good practice and will help you to manage your application with us more discretely.
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 in to 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. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It 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.
Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
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.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
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.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
- Name : UKStratCom-HRGroup@mod.gov.uk
- Email : UKStratCom-HRGroup@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.uk
Further information
Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.