Lead Cyber Security ArchitectNHS

Job summary

UKHSA's Cyber Security Architecture Delivery team is responsible for defining cyber security technical standards for the organisation, providing technical guidance and consulting to help service teams to deliver against those standards, and supporting the selection of security tools and technology.

The team (of ten) works across the organisation to support projects to ensure that solutions (predominantly AWS & Azure) are securely designed, identifying threats and where appropriate working with pen test teams to scope testing.

As Lead Security Architect, you will be responsible for overseeing the secure delivery of projects and data platforms; ensuring architectural design reviews (HLD/LLD) and threat models are carried out to a high standard. It is an exciting, fast-paced role that will drive strategic change across the organisation both in terms of data and analytic capability, and culture.

This role requires an additional National Security Vetting clearance at the level of Security Check (SC). This will need to have been approved before the successful candidate can start in the role.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. For Security Check (SC), you should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years.

Main duties of the job

The Cyber Security Architecture Delivery team is a mix of permanent civil servants (Three Lead Security Architects and Head of department) and contract Security Architects (6 to 10).

As Lead Security Architect you will:

• Work closely with security architects, overseeing their work and providing assurance that architectural design reviews and threat models are carried out consistently to the required standard
• Ensure the team have the appropriate blueprints, guidance, policies and standards required to complete their work.
• Take a risk based and outcome driven approach to secure architecture
• Develop and communicate meaningful security policies
• Identify and promote best practices for multidisciplinary teams to deliver resilient, secure and scalable services
• Identify, own, and respond to security risks and issues as they arise
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with other security teams within UKHSA, Cabinet Office, NCSC and the rest of government
• Ensure all work is in line with DSPT-CAF compliance and the security architecture framework (blueprints, standards etc...) are maintained.

This list is not exhaustive.

Job description

Youll work closely with a variety of stakeholders including business leads, project managers, delivery partners - as well as multi-disciplinary Technology teams who build and run services.

Please read the eligibility requirements outlined in the security clearance section. If you have any questions, please contact the recruitment manager/Vacancy holder for more information.

Essential criteria

• Can demonstrate cyber security knowledge in a previous hands-on role, especially working within big programmes, and have experience of security management and information assurance practices
• Understands security end-to-end, from security considerations in the design of services, through to architecture reviews, threat modelling, controls and remediation against existing live services
• Builds strong relationships and communicates effectively with senior stakeholders and colleagues, ensuring that security considerations are well accounted for and built into ways of working

Desirable criteria

• Has experience with modern software engineering practices and cloud infrastructure, including building, managing and deploying modern web services
• Leading a team of technical specialists

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed 3 essential criteria,and this will be in the form ofa:

• Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1000 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills,experienceandknowledgeprovide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.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 C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.

Longlisting

In the event ofa large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile Meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event ofa large number ofapplications wemay conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of:

• Can demonstrate cyber security knowledge in a previous hands-on role, especially working within big programmes, and have experience of security management and information assurance practices.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountof successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2:Interview

You will be invited to a single remote interview.

Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills will be tested at interview via questioning.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Delivering at pace (Lead Behaviour)
• Making effective decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and influencing

Interviewsdates are to be confirmed.

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

Location

This is a remote working role. There may be occasional travel to UKHSA Core locations for workshops and team meetings, which would not be more than once per month.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

This role requires an additional National Security Vetting clearance at the level of Security Check (SC). This will need to have been approved before the successful candidate can start in the role.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. For Security Check (SC), you should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Salary Information

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.

Grade 7

• £56,185- £66,581 (National) (+MPS of up to £15,000 per annum, pro rata)
• £58,340- £68,574 (Outer London) (+MPS of up to £15,000 per annum, pro rata)
• £60,494- £70,566 (Inner London) (+MPS of up to £15,000 per annum, pro rata)

Market Pay Supplement (MPS) is offered for this role of up to £15,000 per annum, pro rata. The amount offered in MPS will be dependant on the postholders capability level. Each post holder would be assessed on entry to the civil service with the majority being placed on the lowest award unless clear evidence can be provided of higher capability level. The MPS bands are:

• Developing - up to £5,000 per annum, pro rata
• Proficient - up to £10,000 per annum, pro rata
• Accomplished - up to £15,000 per annum, pro rata

MPS to be reviewed 31st March 2027.

About us

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 https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers