Assistant Head, Security Engagement and Digital London, England
Job description
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Digital
Project Delivery
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
The Government Security Function (GSF) oversees the delivery of protective security across Government. Our Mission is to enable Government to protect citizens and provide vital public services by understanding and managing security risks. We set the strategy and standards for Government Security, monitor departmental security performance, manage pan-government security incidents, support the delivery of key security capabilities and lead the Government Security Profession.
The Government Security Group (GSG) is the centre of the Security Function, based within the Cabinet Office. GSG is transforming the Government’s approach to protective security to ensure it is fit to meet the challenges of the digital age. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced, dynamic team, with a breadth of stakeholders including in other Government departments, the National Technical Authorities and the Agencies, and to contribute to delivering improved security across Government.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role in the heart of Government Security. The post-holder will be responsible for the end-to-end design and delivery of the Government Security digital engagement portfolio. This role will also shape Security Education and Awareness (SEA) as well as internal and external engagement activities for the Function, working closely with the Cabinet Office Central Digital and Data Office and the Government Communications Service to ensure that all cross-government campaigns and digital communications reach Civil Servants timely and effectively.
The role will report into the G6 responsible for the Security Engagement and Events, with the Deputy Director of Planning and Resources acting as the countersigning officer.
Acting at the heart of Government Security, the post holder will be responsible for the delivery of effective and coherent and innovative engagement products for our multiple audiences. The post-holder will be responsible for working with all Government, managing stakeholders from Government Departments, National Technical Authorities, and agencies.
The role is based in our busy Engagement Team, working across boundaries to influence the direction of Government Security at all levels, from Departmental Chief Security Officers to Ministerial Private Offices to communications experts in Departments, and beyond.
Job description
The role requires someone who can:
- proactively engage with colleagues and external stakeholders, including SCS and Ministers
- effectively juggle different project tasks with competing priorities
- develop and maintain processes to assure quality and make the most of resources
- be adaptive and deal with different audiences, at different levels of seniority
- evaluate and improve existing engagement channels and processes
Key areas of responsibility
The post holder will:
- Lead on two key pillars of the Government Security Engagement Strategy: Digital and Campaigns.
- Manage a range of digital channels, including: the GSG Intranet and Government Security Front Door Project.
- Oversee content creation and quality assurance for all internal and external digital communications products, including the GSG Intranet, Government Security blog and Government Security Front Door Project.
- Shape and design Security Education and Awareness campaigns activities for the Function, working closely with the Security Education and Awareness Centre to ensure that all cross-government campaigns and policy publications reach Civil Servants timely and effectively.
- Partner with the Cabinet Office Central Digital and Data Office to ensure all digital channels are managed effectively to support policy publications and engagement opportunities.
- Ensure that all campaigns, digital communications products and policy launches are delivered effectively, to quality and timeliness expectations.
- Line-management of an SEO colleague and mentoring other colleagues as required.
Person specification
Essential skills and experience:
- experience in delivering engagement and digital communications strategies in large organisations, through multiple channels to a varied and diverse audience base.
- outstanding interpersonal and communication skills working collaboratively across the breadth of internal and external stakeholders to engender trust, buy-in, and open information and knowledge sharing.
- proven, demonstrable experience of delivering across organisational boundaries and through multi-disciplinary teams to deliver successful outcomes and a collaborative culture.
- proven leadership skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate junior colleagues to deliver their best including through matrix and virtual working.
- a high degree of personal credibility and resilience, along with enthusiasm and a commitment to deliver.
- experience of successfully managing budgets and financial processes for delivering complex projects.
Desirable skills and experience:
- experience of engaging with senior (Permanent Secretaries and Director General level) leaders to obtain sponsorship for strategic priorities, programmes and initiatives, and to manage stakeholder relationships.
- Experience of successfully navigating Crown Commercial Services procurement and financial processes for delivering complex projects and effectively managing budgets.
- working knowledge of security (cyber, physical, technical and / or personnel security) and / or experience of working in a security-related environment.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
- Working Together
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
Application process
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and statement of suitability. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please use your statement of suitability (in no more than 750 words) to demonstrate how your skills and experience make you suitable for this role.
In order to capture your employment history please complete the employment history box under the 'Your CV' section of the online application.
Selection process
We'll assess you against the following behaviours at both sift and interview:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
- Working together
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – w/c 5th June 2023
Expected interview date/s – w/c 12th June 2023
Interview location - Remotely via Google Meet
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 [email protected] 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 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.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
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.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 6 months, from which further appointments can be made.
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]
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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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) (opens in a new window)
- 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
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: [email protected].
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: [email protected].
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.
