Summary

‘Data’ as a policy concept has grown exponentially in a matter of years. The increasing amounts of data harvested, the power such data can yield, and the risk and opportunity it presents to us, have triggered a number of transformative government interventions.

As our economy and public services become even more dependent on datasets, the need to store and process data externally (i.e, in data centres) and move datasets between locations becomes even more of a critical operating function. Having confidence in the security and resilience of the UK’s data infrastructure is key to protecting the UK’s national security and cyber interests, citizens’ privacy and the economic prosperity of a critical sector to the UK’s public and private sectors.

The Data Infrastructure, Security and Resilience team is looking to build resilience in its forward look planning in order to meet its commitments to (1) conduct a review (‘the Review’) into whether there is a case for change to the UK Government’s management of data security and resilience interests, and (2) manage a live and active risk portfolio associated with the policy area. We are recruiting staff who are team players, collaborative by nature, with a particular ability to analyse and consolidate complex and incomplete evidence into clear policy advice.

Applications are welcomed from underrepresented groups.

Job description

As set out in the National Data Strategy, having confidence in the security and resilience of the UK’s data and its supporting infrastructure is key to protecting the UK’s national security and cyber interests, citizens’ privacy and the economic prosperity of a critical sector to the UK’s public and private sectors.

The overarching outcome from this exciting line of policy work is to establish the government framework needed to anticipate, prevent and respond to threats associated with data and data infrastructure in an expert, targeted and proportionate way.

You will join a high performing team with responsibilities split between a long term transformation programme and live case work and resilience incidents.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for a number of workstreams whilst flexibly supporting across the team and Directorate’s tasks. Specific responsibilities will depend on security clearance, but you can expect to:

-Drive work to articulate, prioritise and assess data security risks and understand where and how they materialise, including within the data infrastructure sector.

-Support the team’s work to respond to high-profile and fast-moving live case work, working closely with other government departments and agencies to assess risks and develop policy mitigations

-Invigorate a cross-government approach to identifying and addressing data security risks, and leading the team’s work and engagement on DCMS and cross-Whitehall policy initiatives where data security concerns are prevalent (including data policy, investment and economic security policy, Connected Places, Apps, and Internet of Things devices)

-Lead elements of the team’s engagement with international partners to develop shared understanding of risks and policy approaches, and spot opportunities to work with like minded foreign allies (virtually in the current circumstances) on some of the above issues.

This role presents an excellent opportunity for candidates looking for a fast-paced policy role that combines evidence gathering, analysis of technical and legal advice, strong collaboration and translating advice and evidence into policy recommendations. This offers a unique opportunity to candidates with prior policy experience in related fields, or to candidates from relevant technical backgrounds who are looking to make the move into policy.

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

Essential Requirements

-Ability to quickly respond to changing demands and priorities. Experience of running a project over time, meeting key milestones/deadlines and keeping seniors appraised of progress.

Strong track record of working as part of a team towards a common goal, and ability to work with external stakeholders.

-Understand how your work and the work of your team supports wider objectives and meets the diverse needs of stakeholders.

-Ability to analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information to support decisions and present strong recommendations

-Either holds Developed Vetting (DV) or Security Cleared (SC) already: Or is committed to begin (as applicable) the SC and/or DV process immediately upon appointment.

Desirable Skills

-Experience of security policy or national security policy.

-Experience working in a new or evolving policy area.

-Experience of emerging or novel technologies, digital or cyber themes.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

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

5 days of paid leave for L&D

3 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.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting.

See our vetting charter.

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.

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 Monday 10th January 2022 at 9am via the CS Jobs portal.

A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements - no longer than two A4 pages if printed. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

A 250 word statement (one per behaviour) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence for each of the following behaviours:

-Lead behaviour: Ability to analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information to support decisions and present strong recommendations outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks.(Making Effective Decisions)

-Ability to regularly monitor your own and team’s work against milestones and act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands to maintain performance. (Delivering at Pace).

-Ability to encourage joined up team work within own team and across other groups, and establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders (Working Together)

Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using a lead behaviour. This will be the behaviour which is listed first in the job advert. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements within the application behaviour responses.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

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.

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

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

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 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 here

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.

Apply and further information

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

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact (recruitment.team@dcms.gov.uk) in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/

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