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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.

NCSC is looking for two data analysts to join the NCSC Resilience directorate to support two high priority transformational projects. Securing Citizens and Small Organisations seeks to protect both citizens and small organisations from the majority of attacks online and significantly reduce their security burden. Securing Government is a set of transformational activities to deliver the vision in the Government Cyber Securing Strategy: ‘That core government functions - from the delivery of public services to the operation of National Security apparatus - are resilient to cyber-attack, strengthening the UK as a sovereign nation and cementing its authority as a democratic and responsible cyber power’.

Data analysts in the Resilience directorate combine skills in data science and cyber security with knowledge about sectors of government, critical national infrastructure, the economy and wider society to deliver the NCSC mission.
The ideal candidates will have data analysis and cyber security experience. They will work closely with other analysts and sector experts in the directorate to extend its existing cyber data capabilities to new sectors.

Job Description

What will the successful candidate be doing?

The successful candidates will help develop a more evidence-based approach to improving the cyber security of the UK. They will analyse data to understand the level of protection that government departments, public services, critical national infrastructure organisations, companies, charities and other organisations have against cyber attacks. They will also assess the impact of the NCSC’s efforts to improve levels of cyber security in the UK. They will communicate their findings in a way that makes it easier for managers to make effective decisions about the strategic direction NCSC takes.

The successful candidates will communicate findings through compelling narratives and engaging visualisations that help the NCSC, its customers and its partners to secure the services we all rely on. They will also have the opportunity to influence cyber policy and collaborate with other organisations who lead on cyber security.

Responsibilities

• Analyse data to understand the cyber security posture of a range of UK sectors
• Determine how sectors’ posture is changing over time
• Quantify the impact of NCSC activities and services on sectors’ cyber security
• Use these metrics to assess progress towards NCSC business objectives and to inform decision-making

Person Specification

The successful candidate will need to have experience of:

• Using programming languages such as SQL and Python for data analysis
• Communicating the results of analysis as summary statistics, charts and dashboards
• Working with technical and non-technical teams to translate data into actionable insights

The candidate must have an awareness of cyber security and the potential to use skills and experience to analyse and interpret information about organisations' cyber security.

GCHQ Competency Requirements

• Communication and Knowledge Sharing - Higher
• Corporate Vision and Efficiency - Intermediate
• Change and Innovation - Intermediate
• Analysis and Decision Making - Intermediate
• Contribution to Delivery - Intermediate
• Managing the Customer Relationship - Intermediate
• Working with and Leading Others - Higher

You can familiarise yourself with the general competencies we use to assess the aptitude of candidates here - Recruitment Process

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 £36,836 plus an annual National Security Payment of £2,330 subject to mandatory training. A London Allowance of £6,250 is applicable for London contracted employees.

Plus an opportunity to qualify for a Skills Payment.

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.
• A 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 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:

• Application sift
• Interview
• 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:

• Experience of analysing data and communicating the results
• A basic understanding of cyber security
• The ability to work with multiple teams to achieve a common goal

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 Thursday 16th March 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.