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At GCHQ, we unlock the complex world of data and communications to keep the UK and its citizens safe, both in the real world and online. Working closely with our British Intelligence partners in MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from threats including serious organised crime, terrorism, and cyber-attacks. A role in GCHQ means you’ll have varied and fascinating work in a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, is the UK Government’s lead authority on cyber security. The organisation is at the heart of the Government’s cyber security strategy and has the aim of making the UK the safest place to live and work online.

Nova South is the London Headquarters for the NCSC, located in the centre of London. The Nova South Business Operations Team ensures the effective running of Nova South and meets the requirements of all stakeholders, including the Nova-based workforce and visitors.

The NCSC Nova Head of Business Operations’ remit is a broad and varied one, the main purpose of the role is to ensure that facilities management services at Nova meet the requirements of all stakeholders, and is an integral and discrete part of the Nova experience. To make this happen, you will work closely with the teams based at Nova, and across the wider Department.

Joining the NCSC Business Critical Services Management Team, you will also work closely with the NCSC Delivery Service Managers responsible for recruitment, business management and accommodation, to develop and improve enabling services for NCSC people.

Job Description

What will the successful candidate be doing?

• Play a key role in the review of our use of Nova, making sure that its full potential as an HMG Cyber Hub is maximized.
• Lead and manage the Nova South Business Operations Team.
• Build strong working relationships with supply teams (Information Technology, Facilities Management and Security) to ensure services meet NCSC requirements.
• Explore and deliver new ways of working opportunities for the Nova South workforce.
• Chair the Nova South Office Working Group to ensure the working environment supports the NCSC mission and teams.
• Work with Estates Services to ensure facilities management services meet NCSC requirements.
• Work with Estates Services and Departmental Health and Safety teams to ensure Nova South meets all Health and Safety requirements for the ongoing safety and wellbeing of the workforce and our visitors.
• Lead on Nova South Business Continuity planning.

Person Specification

The successful applicant will need to have:

• Experience of managing a team is essential.
• Experience of developing or delivering services to NCSC or GCHQ is highly desirable.
• Be motivated and committed to delivering quality services for Nova South.
• Good negotiation and communication skills, with a strong customer service ethos and experience of managing stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Further information on Civil Service Behaviours

Benefits we offer

At NCSC and GCHQ, we are proud of our inclusive and supportive working environment that’s designed to encourage open minds and attitudes. As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we are committed to helping you fulfil your potential. With comprehensive training and development opportunities, tailored to your needs and the requirements of your work, we will enable you to flourish in your role and perform to the very best of your abilities.

You’ll receive a starting salary of £45,676 plus an annual National Security Payment of £2,428 subject to mandatory training. A London Allowance of £6,250 is applicable for London contracted employees.

Other benefits:

• 25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme.
• Interest-free season ticket loan.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations).
• Paid parental and adoption leave.
• Excellent pension scheme - Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Selection Process

Before You Apply

To work at GCHQ, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.

This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here.

Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.

The role is based in Central London, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application, as we do not offer relocation costs.

Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.

What to Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:

1. Online Application.
2. Application sift.
3. Interview.
4. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment subject to vetting.

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you to continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.

We’re Disability Confident

GCHQ are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer a person-to-person interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role. This is our ‘Offer of Interview’ (OOI). To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:

• To secure an interview applicants must meet the minimum competency requirements for the role and have experience of managing a team.

Equal Opportunities

At GCHQ diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website:

Our Vetting

To work in this role, you will need the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community must go through and it can take some time. As part of the DV process you will be asked to fill in a detailed questionnaire and attend an interview with a vetting officer. In your interview the vetting officer will have a thorough, compassionate, and honest discussion with you about you as a person and your life experiences, to ensure holding a DV clearance is right for you. You don’t need to do any preparation for your vetting interview, just be honest and be yourself. All applicants for DV are treated impartially and consistently, irrespective of gender, race, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics.

The closing date for this role is: 11:55pm 25th May 2023

Right to Withdraw Statement:

Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.