Lead security architect

Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Croydon, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Southport About the job Job summary The Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) profession enable the Home Office to keep the UK safe and secure. They do this by designing, building, and running the services that help people apply for visas or passports, support policing and counter-terrorism operations, and protect the UKs borders. We are recruiting for Lead Security Architects in 2 different portfolios: Data Services and Analytics (DSA) and End User Compute and Collaboration (EUC&C). To find out more about each portfolio, please find attached the Portfolio Summary document in the attachments section below. Team members have specialised knowledge and a calling to build on it. We want the best people to come to the Home Office and work in the diverse roles and communities theyre passionate about. This is how we produce exceptional outcomes. Due to business requirements this post is available on a full time/flexible working basis. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. Where this is the case, employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office. Applicants can raise any queries to the email address at the bottom of the advert. We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from the widest diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We particularly encourage applications from women, people with disabilities and LGBT as they are currently under-represented in the Home Office at this grade level. Appointments will be made on merit based on fair and open competition. Job description A Lead Security Architect is responsible for driving the secure design and development of solutions for one or more major business sectors within the department. They lead the security engagement for all projects within their portfolio ensuring that the departments security design standards are adhered to. As a Lead Security Architect, you will provide an out-reach service to your business areas to advise on security requirements and solutions to enable technical teams to make security decisions, ensuring the effective use of common tools and products. You will collaborate with peers both within and outside of your Portfolios to identify new opportunities for exploiting emerging technologies and support the development of architectures, patterns and approaches to support their safe use in accordance with the departments risk appetites. At all times your goal is to help ensure delivery of systems that meet the desired business outcomes with security decisions and controls being proportionate to the risk. You will build effective partnerships with diverse teams across multiple locations and technologies and effectively communicate security and risk implications across technical and non-technical stakeholders. You will manage other Security Architects, covering critical review architecture referencing NCSC guidelines. You will also be responsible for their training and development. Your main day to day responsibilities will be: Contributing to the vision, principles and strategy set down by the Principal Security Architect ensuring it reflects the needs of your portfolio as well as the wider department. Overseeing the security engagement for projects within your business sphere and cooperating with colleagues to find common solutions to similar challenges across all business lines. Driving secure by design by promoting security as an aspect of quality, ensuring that program, project and service managers own this responsibility. Following developments in the security and technology industry to ensure that the technology landscape is kept secure in line with industry standard. Recommending security controls and identifying solutions that support a business objective, working out subtle security needs and understanding the impact of decisions, balancing requirements and deciding between approaches. Providing specialist advice and recommending approaches, interacting with senior stakeholders across departments and influencing a wide range of people across larger teams and communities to execute security standards, policies and principles. This will include advising on key security related technologies and assessing the risk associated with proposed changes Person specification Essential skills Youll have a demonstrable passion for Security Architecture, with the following skills or strong experience in: Leading and evaluating the secure design of major products, services and input to complex solutions, challenging outmoded concepts and driving improvements with innovative, creating precedents and setting direction. Making and guiding effective decisions on risks, based on information assurance risk assessment methodology, explaining clearly how the decision has been reached. Applying security concepts to a technical level across multiple projects, working with security tools, network security infrastructure technologies, and information security management frameworks (e.g. ISO 27001, NIST). Working with penetration testing and effectively translating cyber risk analysis into standards, patterns and approaches to enable the safe exploitation of current and emerging technologies. Understanding NCSC information security guidance and architecture patterns. Understanding architecture methodology e.g. SABSA, TOGAF. The essential skills listed above are reflective of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession Career Framework (based on the industry standard SFIA framework- Use the levels of responsibility to understand what would be expected for each technical skill listed). Please see below for the relevant skills for your role: Strategy & Architecture: Strategy and Planning o Strategic Planning (ITSP) Level 3 o Solution Architecture (ARCH) Level 5 o Innovation (INOV) Level 3 o Enterprise and Business Architecture (STPL) Level 3 Advice & Guidance o Consultancy (CNSL) Level 4 o Specialist Advice (TECH) Level 4 Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Strategic Planning (ITSP) Level 3 Solution Architecture (ARCH) Level 5 Innovation (INOV) Level 3 Enterprise and Business Architecture (STPL) Level 3 Consultancy (CNSL) Level 4 Specialist Advice (TECH) Level 4 Benefits Alongside your salary of £60,300, Home Office contributes £17,468 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Youll also have access to the same bene fits available to all civil servants in the Home Office: An in-year performance bonus scheme. A Civil Service pension with employer contribution rate of 28.97%, depending upon salary. 25 days annual leave on appointment, plus 8 days public holidays and 1 day for the Kings Birthday, rising further with service. Flexible working options to enable you to achieve the work life balance that right for you including. Training and development opportunities tailored to your role. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity. Season ticket loans and rental deposit loans. Cycle to work and payroll giving. Employee discounts - including a huge number of retailers, Microsoft Home Use programme and gym membership. A variety of staff recognition schemes including thank you vouchers. Health and wellbeing initiatives including monthly mindfulness sessions. Staff support networks. Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks of statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid. Maternity and adoption support leave (paternity leave) of 2 weeks full pay. Up to five days paid leave for volunteering. Study leave and support for studying for a qualification or other accredited development relevant to your role. You can find more information at Benefits - Home Office Careers Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills. As part of the application process, you will be required to submit both a Personal Statement (up to 1000 words) and a CV. Please note that both your CV and Personal Statement will be assessed as part of your application. It is important to ensure that both components are completed thoroughly. Please note your personal statement should include all your relevant experience that relates to our essential skills criteria listed in the advert and role description. Use STAR format in your examples. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Remove information that identifies you (for example your name, age or place of education) so that you will be judged on merit alone and not your personal background, circumstances, race or gender. (Do NOT include e-mail addresses or links to online profiles, resumés, or prior work, either personal or business. Active links or e-mail addresses will result in your application being rejected). Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. All applications are screened for plagiarism, copying, and generating of examples/ answers from internet sources including Artificial intelligence. If detected, the application may be withdrawn from the process. Further action, including disciplinary action, may be considered in such cases involving civil servants. Providing false or misleading information would be contrary to the core values of honesty and integrity expected of all civil servants. Sift Stage The sift will be held on the Personal Statement (1000 words) and CV. Please read the Essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirements. Interview Stage Candidates shortlisted will be invited to an interview which will be Technical based questions, as detailed on the advert. At interview candidates will be required to deliver a brief presentation. You will have the opportunity to prepare prior to interview. Further details will be provided closer to the scheduled interviews. Sift and Interview dates The sift will commence from 4th March 2025. Interviews are expected to take place from 31st March 2025. (Subject to the Panels operational requirements/priorities). Interviews will be conducted remotely via MS Teams. We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. Further information Please read the essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirement. If you have previously made an unsuccessful application for a role with the same essential skills and are not able to demonstrate how you have developed these skills since your last application, please reconsider applying as your application is unlikely to be successful. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service 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.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years if the role requires CTC clearance, 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder listed in the advert for further advice. For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting Reserve List A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position. UK residency and security requirements Please note that this role requires Security Check (SC) clearance, which would normally need 5 years UK residency in the past 5 years. However, in exceptional circumstances security clearance applications for candidates who have been present in the UK for at least 3 of last 5 years may be considered. Failure to meet this residency requirement will result in your security clearance application being rejected. Similar Roles Job offers to this post are made based on merit. We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or a lower grade than they have applied for, we may offer the candidate that role without the need to go through a further selection process providing the role has the same competencies and essential skills. Visa sponsorship We are unable to sponsor any individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas as we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License. Capability and Skills allowance The advertised role is part of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession. This role has access to a Digital Capability-Based Allowance. Applicants who are successful at interview will be invited to complete a Capability and Skills Assessment post-interview. Any allowance awarded will be based on the assessment of your capability against the six skills advertised for this role. Please see the attached candidate pack for more information. The allowance values are set by the Home Office, subject to remaining in a qualifying role, and are non-pensionable. This allowance is non-contractual, subject to an annual review and could be withdrawn at any time. For both new entrants and existing civil servants, the total compensation offer is a combination of base salary and, if applicable, a capability-based allowance. New entrants to the Civil Service will start on the pay range minimum. For existing civil servants, our policies on level transfer and promotion will apply. Working at the Home Office Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people can bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best. We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer. 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. For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application. Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidates responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details. Transfer Terms: Voluntary. If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks. Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents. Any move to the Home Office 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 In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service 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.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. Reasonable Adjustments If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via grscabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs Complete the Assistance Required section in 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 if you are deaf, a language service professional If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the Contact point for applicants section. Feedback Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (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. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. 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). 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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : AC Recruitment Email : ACRecruitmenthomeoffice.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : HOrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance HORecruitment.GRScabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Attachments Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V14) 12-08-2024 Opens in new window (pdf, 464kB) Framework Version 8 SFIA Opens in new window (pdf, 1483kB) candidate_information_v12_December_2024 Opens in new window (pdf, 658kB) Portfolio Summary Opens in new window (pdf, 107kB) Share this page Print Email Gmail Facebook LinkedIn