Cyber & Corporate Risk Officer

Job summary

We are seeking a Cyber & Corporate Risk Officer to join the UKHSA Cyber Security team. This is an exciting opportunity to become a central part of this build and support the continuous development of the Cyber Governance Risk & Compliance function, provide strategic direction whilst managing the challenges and drive improvement and delivery of services.

Cyber is building on its capability to provide a critical function in the protection of the UKHSAs digital assets, working closely with wider UKHSA security teams and stakeholders Government Security Group, National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) to build a resilient infrastructure, supporting the organisation in reaching its ambition to become a global leader for health security and become a critical component of our national security infrastructure.

For this role successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Check (SC).

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years as the role requires SC clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Resourcing Support listed in this advert for further advice.

Job description

The Cyber & Corporate Risk Officer will coordinate and deliver security risk management activity within enabling a clear and realistic view of security risk across Cyber.

They will support the delivery of Second Line Cyber Risk Assurance (CRA) across the UKHSA, reporting to the SEO Senior Cyber Risk Officer. The role will require a level of independent oversight, and work stream responsibility for focussing on a particular business area to include IACS and Harlow, supporting the programmes in the creation of a single overview of the cyber risk helping to ensure that they are clearly understood and managed in line with UKHSA’s risk appetite, government standards, and public sector assurance expectations, managing escalation in line with UKHSA processes.

As second line assurance, the role does not implement or operate cyber security controls, but helps to support UKHSA leadership by:

• Providing confidence that cyber risks are identified, understood, and escalated appropriately
• Strengthening transparency, governance, and assurance
• Protecting the Agency’s ability to deliver vital health security outcomes

This role offers experience of cyber risk in a complex field presenting a number of learning and developmental opportunities, all of which support UKHSA’s critical health security mission.

The Cyber & Corporate Risk Officer must be comfortable to work flexibly and operate in a highly ambiguous environment while the Agency continues its transformation journey and defines its organisational culture. The ability to identify and understand challenges to find creative solutions will be critical as will strength in managing and building relationships across the organisation, undertaking effective collaboration at fast pace, both internally and externally to UKHSA. They will be expected to work on their own initiative without micro-management but know when to revert to seek a steer or decision.

This is a dynamic and challenging environment, and they will need to be confident in managing complexity, applying judgement, and making decisions whilst collaborating effectively with other members of the team and across the organisation.

This role will requires working with cyber team members of staff who are predominantly home-based workers.

Second Line Cyber Risk Support

• Support the delivery of Second Line oversight and challenge of cyber and technology risks
• Assist in reviewing First Line cyber risk assessments, control documentation, and mitigation plans
• Ensure cyber risks are recorded clearly and consistently within UKHSA risk registers and tooling
• Help differentiate between risk ownership (First Line) and risk assurance (Second Line) activities

Cyber Risk Framework & Standards

• Support the maintenance of UKHSA’s Cyber Risk Management Framework
• Assist in assessing cyber risks against: • Government Security Policy Framework (SPF)
• DSPT Cyber Assurance Framework
• NCSC guidance
• ISO 27001 / NIST aligned approaches
• Promote a proportionate, risk based approach to cyber security across the organisation

Governance & Reporting

• Contribute to cyber risk reporting for senior management and assurance forums
• Analyse cyber risk data, trends, and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs)
• Help translate technical cyber security issues into clear risk narratives focused on business and health impact
• Support preparation of papers and briefing materials for senior stakeholders

Change & Third Party Risk Assurance

• Support cyber risk assurance activities related to: • Digital and data change initiatives
• Cloud services and shared platforms
• Third party and supplier arrangements
• Assist with identifying emerging cyber risks early in the change lifecycle

Learning, Assurance & Continuous Improvement

• Support post incident reviews and lessons learned activities from a risk perspective
• Contribute to assurance exercises, internal reviews, and audit engagement
• Build cyber risk knowledge and capability through on the job learning, mentoring, and formal development

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Experience or strong interest in Cyber Risk Management, Information Security, Technology Risk, or GRC
• Awareness of cyber security threats, vulnerabilities, and controls
• Ability to analyse information and present risks clearly and concisely
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Willingness to provide constructive challenge while building effective working relationships

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of: • Government Security Policy Framework
• NCSC principles
• Risk registers and assurance reporting
• DSPT Cyber Assessment Framework
• Industrial Automated Control Systems

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,422, UK Health Security Agency contributes

£9,682 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).

• 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%

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

• Please visit our careers site for more information: UKHSA Hub , Civil Service Careers
• 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 Success Profiles - GOV.UK and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical Skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

At sift stage you will be assessed against the 5 Essential Criteria listed in this job advert. You will be required to complete:

• An Application Form (‘Employer/Activity history’ section on the application)
• A 1000 word Supporting Statement - do not exceed 1000 words as we will not consider any words over and above this number

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the 5 Essential Criteria listed in this advert.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV – please note you will not be able to upload or email us your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible.

Longlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we may longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all Essential Criteria
• Meets some Essential Criteria
• Meets no Essential Criteria

Only those that 'Meets all Essential Criteria' will progress to Shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the following Essential Criteria:

• Experience or strong interest in Cyber Risk Management, Information Security, Technology Risk, or GRC

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment. Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single remote interview. Interview date(s) to be confirmed.

Behaviours and Technical Skills will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours being tested at interview stage will be:

• Working Together - Lead Behaviour
• Communication and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Developing Self and Others

You will be required to give a 10-minute technical presentation on a cyber risk management topic. The exact title will be confirmed when successful candidates are invited to interview.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

• Salary Information
• Civil Service: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
• HEO Inner: £37,749 - £45,353
• HEO Outer: £35,587 - £43,244
• HEO National: £33,422 - £40,731
• Per annum, pro-rata

Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our core HQs in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London Canary Wharf.

Travel to our Scientific Campus in Porton, Didcot and North London will be required when needed.

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to