Policy Advisor

Position description

Established in 2020, the National Cyber Force (NCF) is responsible for operating in and through cyberspace to counter, disrupt, degrade and contest those who would do harm to the UK or its allies, to keep the country safe and to protect and promote the UK’s interests at home and abroad. In addition to GCHQ and the Ministry of Defence, the Secret Intelligence Service and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory are core partners bringing cutting edge espionage and research techniques. 

This means the UK will use cyber operations as part of its diplomatic, economic and military activities. The NCF is at the heart of this, extending the UK’s competitive edge as a responsible, democratic cyber power, by

• Countering threats from terrorists, criminals and states using the internet to operate across borders in order to do harm to the UK and other democratic societies.
• Countering threats which disrupt the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data and services in cyberspace (i.e. supporting cybersecurity).
• Contributing to UK Defence operations and helping deliver the UK’s foreign policy agenda (for example intervening in a humanitarian crisis to protect civilians).

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is to have an empowered, productive, personally and professionally fulfilled workforce. Whatever your role, we take your career and development seriously. We want to enable you to build a successful career with the Department and wider Civil Service. We are committed to understanding, respecting, and representing as broad a range of views and backgrounds as we have in UK society. We know that diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to an effective, modern Civil Service.

While the existence of NCF is not a secret, its people are, and discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or close family. You should also make them aware of the importance of discretion. You should not mention your application on social media or discuss it with anyone else at this stage. You will receive further guidance during the recruitment process.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

Job description

As an Operational Cyber Policy desk officer, you will have responsibility for the development and implementation of policy to ensure that cyber is utilised in accordance with HMG’s ambition and direction; that capability development is lawful and policy compliant; and for the provision of policy advice into operations.

You will act as one of the primary conduits between the business of the Cyber Partnership and the growing offensive cyber community in the UK. In this role you will be responsible for a defined portfolio of missions within the new organisation and will be expected to use strong stakeholder management skills to understand your mission areas, develop productive relationships, and provide clear honest advice, in accordance with the Civil Service code. As part of this role, you will be expected to generate a shared culture and a ‘one team’ approach to providing policy advice to improve operational outcomes.

You will play an active role in these areas, contributing directly and through other teams to Ministerial submissions, NSC papers, briefing materials and by representing the department on offensive cyber issues as required.

Overall, you will need to draw on your experience from all this activity to support the Cyber Partnership to influence and shape the development of the UK’s Offensive Cyber Mission. You will act as a robust champion for what has been shown to work well, identifying areas of improvement and challenge habitual ways of working that require reform.

As a London based member of staff, working with a geographically dispersed team, you will be critical to understanding the policy context of our operational work, how that fits in to Whitehall priorities, and where we need to be engaging with Whitehall Departments and their Agencies to deliver for them and ensure our voice is heard.

Person specification

You can bring a fresh perspective whatever the situation or context. You see other people’s views and appreciate that there are many different angles to consider.

You draw insight from your own emotions and those of others to show empathy.

You recognise everyone as an individual. You accept people for who they are and treat everyone fairly. You actively encourage and provide opportunities for others to share ideas and contributions.

You support constructive discussion and enjoy getting all parties to reach an agreement.

You look at the big picture. You consider the wider factors and long-term implications of decisions

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,590, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• This role attracts a National Security Payment allowance of circa £2,500 p.a.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. 

The post does not offer relocation expenses. 

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. 

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.  

Any move to MOD 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/. 

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.  

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. 

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Your suitability for this role will be assessed using MOD Success Profiles. You will be assessed against the following behaviours during the selection process.

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Seeing Big Picture

Experience.

We would also like a 1000 word personal statement detailing experience, knowledge and skills that demonstrate your ability to be succeed in this role.

In the event that a large number of applications are received, the initial sift will be conducted against: Personal statement only.

Please be aware feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment centre.

Security

Successful candidates must meet all the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is enhanced developed vetting (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Enhanced Developed Vetting is required where an additional level of assurance is required. It can only be requested by a small number of Sponsors and only with prior agreement with UKSV and the Cabinet Office. Checks involved include, but are not limited to:

• completion of a DV security questionnaire (including a family and travel element)
• criminal Record check
• Security Services check
• credit reference check
• financial investigation
• applicant interview
• supervisor interview
• referee interview
• checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire
• the full review of personal finances will include an assessment of an individual’s assets, liabilities, income and expenditure both on an individual basis and taking into account the joint position with a spouse or partner.

Additionally, candidates will need to meet the business validation standard and pass a drug test prior to appointment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on jobs-near-me.org