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GOV.UKSenior Policy Advisor Cyber - Northern Ireland
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Apply before 9:00 am on Monday 3rd April 2023
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About the job
Job summary
We are looking for a proactive, flexible and resilient candidate to join our Cyber Sector Team. This post will provide deep insight into the Northern Ireland (NI) Cyber Ecosystem and be pivotal in shaping our focus and relationships with a broad range of stakeholders including Academia, Government and Cyber businesses. Central to this role will be supporting further development of the NI cyber ecosystem.The role provides the newly created Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) with a presence in NI, focussed on cyber and the resulting levelling up opportunities this brings to successful delivery of the National Cyber Strategy.
Please note this role will only be based in Belfast
Job description
Key features of the role:
- Delivery of challenging objectives, you will gain valuable experience and insight into the reality of policy delivery on the ground in a devolved administration.
- Become a key point of contact and a knowledge hub for NI stakeholders
- Provide direct oversight, scrutiny and management of NI Cyber programmes, ensuring they are delivered to budget and timelines.
- The role will be central to informing and developing a cross Cyber Security and Digital Identity directorate (CSDI) approach to improving reach as well as harnessing opportunities to contribute to levelling up and NI economic strategies.
- Act as both critical friend and trusted advisor to provide a bridge between local partners and wider government. You will work with a diverse range of stakeholders such as NIO, the Northern Ireland Executive, Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT), UKRI, National Cyber Security Centre and wider stakeholders including academia, industry and external suppliers.
- You will provide critical insight, support Ministers and senior officials and establish yourself as a key resource on cyber security activity within NI. Using strong communications skills to influence and build strong relationships with stakeholders to drive performance
- A collaborative approach, working across teams, in a complex stakeholder environment (wider DSIT, HMG and cyber sector) to ensure that programme and policy work is aligned, strengthened and mutually beneficial.
Person specification
The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience:
Essential requirements:
- Communication skills - ability to articulate complex issues in a clear and concise way (both written and oral).
- Experience of working with and building strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver priority outcomes.
- Proactive and creative approach to problem-solving
- Interpersonal skills - able manage and influence senior stakeholders in their decision making.
- Ability to prioritise effectively with competing demands on time, in order to deliver at pace.
Desirable skills:
- A self-starter with a track record of autonomy
- Strong organisational skills
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We’re committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:
Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working - DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home
26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service
A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice
3 days of paid volunteering leave
Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year
Occupational sick pay
Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice
Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks
Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work
Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!
Terms and conditions at SCS grades will vary. Those applying for SCS roles should refer to the candidate information pack for more information on terms and conditions.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application process:
To apply for this post, please send us the following documents no later than 09:00 on Monday 3rd April 2023 via the CS Jobs portal:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities, achievements and reference to all the essential requirements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. Please also provide career history that’s relevant to the essential requirements.
- A Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) explaining how you consider your interest in the role, personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to all the essential requirements highlighted. You may choose to reference the desirable skills.
For the shortlist, we will assess your experience and select applicants demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence provided in your application.
In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will initially be sifted on statement of suitability.
During the application process, there will be an opportunity to ask the vacancy holders questions about the roles via a Q&A session at 11:00-11:30 on Tuesday 28th March. A link to the event can be found here.
Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with: dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
The interview:
The interview process will assess behaviours and strengths and potentially include a presentation. The behaviours to be tested at interview are:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
You will not be made aware of the strengths being assessed prior to your interview. As part of your interview, you may be asked to deliver a short oral presentation. Full details of this, including the topic, and whether or not you will need to use visual aids, will be sent to you prior to your interview.
For indicative sift and interview dates please refer to the attached Candidate Information Pack.
DCMS has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the ‘Information for Applicants’ document.
Interviews
In most cases interviews will take place remotely via Google Meet video call. However please refer to the Candidate Information Pack to confirm the interview approach.
Location
This role is based in Belfast.The hub locations are displayed on the job advert. Not all hub locations have confirmed office space yet - successful applicants will be expected to work remotely until this becomes available.
Reasonable Adjustment
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process.
In order to request an adjustment, please:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on 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 a verbal test rather than a written one.
Alternatively, contact the Government Recruitment Service via dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility difficulties with any of the attachments, please contact us. Contact details can be found in the 'contact point for applicants' section of the job advert.
If you choose to join on a loan basis, prior agreement to be released on loan 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.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
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 Access NI 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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk
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
Nationality requirements
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 :
- Name : Suzanne Lowe
- Email : suzanne.lowe.@dcms.gov.uk
Recruitment team :
- Email : dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
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/
