National Cyber Force Corporate Deputy STRAPSO

Job summary

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. 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, or helping deliver the UK’s foreign policy agenda (for example intervening in a humanitarian crisis to protect civilians). 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. 

The NCF is establishing its Headquarters in Samlesbury, Lancashire. 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. 

This role supports NCF and the Command STRAPSO by ensuring the safeguarding and protection of STRAP material.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The primary task of the NCF Deputy Corporate STRAPSO is to support the Corp STRAPSO in managing and maintaining the security and integrity of STRAP material across the organisation and providing assurance to Head of Security, the Commander, and MOD & UKIC accreditors that robust security measures are effective at protecting such material.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing, supporting, or leading on the commissioning, inspecting and assessing new STRAP Accredited Environments (SAEs) to ensure they meet required standards;
• Maintain security of existing SAEs through assurance checks;
• Develop, implement and manage STRAP security plans across the org;
• Provide impartial evidence based advice to customers;
• Maintain up to date master list of all STRAP certified areas;
• Monitor effectiveness of STRAP security processes and implement continual improvement; monitor and coordinate assurance activities;
• Lead and manage STRAP security incidents;
• Maintain an awareness of emerging technologies and their impact on STRAP principles;
• Represent the Org on STRAP issues and meetings; review and update STRAP policy; mentor and support other STRAP Officers;
• Manage referrals of STRAP applications from other orgs and overseas in line with policy; provide guidance and direction to all Unit STRAPSOs within area of responsibility.

Person specification

The post is demanding given the breadth, depth of knowledge and quality of service expected. The priority and demands of this role require focussed, determined and proactive individual to support an essential service.

The ability to form effective and trusted relationships with staff, other teams/departments in NCF, key stakeholders is pivotal to being successful in this role.

The post holder must be a UK national (no dual nationality). They must hold or be willing to undergo DV clearance.

Experience of working in a STRAP role in a similar government or wider intelligence Community environment

Clearance level required for role is DV plus screening. Checks involved include, but are not limited to: 

• Successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard Completion, by the individual, of a DV Security Questionnaire 
• A departmental/company records check which will include personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records 
• A check of both spent and unspent criminal records 
• A check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency 
• A check of Security Service records 
• A full review of personal finances 
• A detailed interview conducted by a trained Investigating Office 
• Further enquiries, including interviews with referees conducted by a trained Investigating Officer. 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. 

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes

£10,927 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• This role attracts a National Security Payment allowance of circa £2,500 p.a.
• 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%

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements 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

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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

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. 

Before you apply, we advise you to consider setting up a separate email address for your contact with us, to ensure your personal and application correspondence remain separate. Try to avoid having identifying features in your email address, such as your first and/or surname and date of birth. This is good practice and will help you to manage your application with us more discretely. 

If successful at sift, the interviews will be held via Teams, early/mid October. We are unable to offer alternative dates for interviews. 

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history and previous skills and experience.

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. (250 Word count)

At sift, Candidates will be assessed against their CV and/or Statement of suitability and the following Behaviours:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions

At interview, Candidates will be assessed against the following:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Further information:

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.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidat