Security Advisor Network Services - Newcastle-upon-Tyne
About the job
Job summary
Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you\\\'re seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it\\\'s really like to work at HMRC.
Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.
Do you have a passion for network security and safeguarding critical national infrastructure? Are you experienced in delivering secure network solutions and managing cyber security risks?
If so, continue reading to find out more about this fantastic opportunity to join HMRC - one of the most digitally advanced tax authorities in the world. Network Services is responsible for providing and maintaining all computer networks across HMRC, including Datacentre, Cloud, Campus, WAN, and Network Security. The team plays a critical role in designing and implementing network solutions that support Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), ensuring the seamless operation of HMRC\\\'s services to the country. Additionally, our networks support over 65,000 colleagues, enabling them to perform their roles efficiently every day.
Job description
As a Security Advisor, you will work closely with the Enterprise Security Architecture and Cyber Security Technical Services (CSTS) teams, leading the development of Network Security Principles, Policies, and Technical Standards. You will ensure these align with business objectives and risk appetite while spearheading communication initiatives to enhance cyber security awareness and the adoption of Cyber GSeC services.
Your role will involve providing expert advice on cyber security risk management, identifying vulnerabilities, and proposing resolutions within complex technical environments. You will balance security measures with user experience and business needs, offering guidance that supports strategic decision-making and effectively addresses stakeholder concerns.
Key Responsibilities:
* Identify, assess, and escalate cyber network risks in alignment with HMG\\\'s risk appetite, supporting Secure by Design principles and the security lifecycle.
* Research, evaluate, and promote new network security technologies and methodologies, contributing to a broader security technology strategy and collaborating with our Networks Managed Service Provider.
* Represent Network Services during project development, delivery, and governance to ensure security best practices are integrated at every stage.
Person specification
The ideal candidate for this role is a proactive and experienced security professional with a strong background in network security and cyber risk management. You will be instrumental in bridging the gap between HMRC\\\'s Security and Network Services teams, working closely with our outsourced provider to interpret policies, assess security impacts, and drive the development of robust security procedures. You should be comfortable taking ownership of this evolving role, shaping processes, and embedding best practices within the organisation. A deep understanding of network security frameworks, risk management, and large-scale deployments is essential. Strong decision-making skills, strategic thinking, and experience in a large organisation are key to success in this challenging and rewarding position.
Essential Criteria:
To be successful in this role, you should hold relevant certification and have experience and knowledge in:
* Security and privacy risks, including an in-depth understanding of associated threats and key security considerations.
* Successfully delivering security components of major network projects, demonstrating expertise and credibility in the field.
* Developing and communicating security and risk management guidance that aligns with corporate risk appetite across various enterprises.
* Working with key security frameworks and standards such as NIST, ISO, CIS, and Cyber Essentials.
* Network security, with hands-on experience in large-scale deployments.
* Providing strategic consultancy on the potential uses and effectiveness of network/cloud security technologies.
* Understanding end-to-end network architecture and associated security technologies.
* Collaborating as part of a team or working independently, influencing strategic IT and security decisions with a clear understanding of their long-term impact.
* Building and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships to drive positive business outcomes.
* Clearly articulating complex technical solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Desirable Criteria:
* Experience working within the Government Security function.
* Experience collaborating across government and engaging with senior stakeholders.
* Knowledge of infrastructure, operating systems, networking architectures, and the OSI Model.
* Familiarity with security architectures, design principles, and best practices.
Other Information:
Applicants who do, or wish to, work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply. The preferred working pattern may or may not be available. You should discuss this with the vacancy holder before you submit your application. Candidates who do not agree their working pattern with the vacancy holder prior to applying may be rejected.
Travel and overnight stays are rare, but may be required
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £56,344, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £16,322 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.
We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
* Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues\\\' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
* Family friendly policies.
* Personal support.
* Coaching and development.
To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it\\\'s really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to Apply
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:
* A name-blind CV including your job history and previous experiences. In your job history please include details for the last 5 roles, give a brief summary of what you delivered and any key achievements in each role (max 100 words per role). Your CV is for information only and will not be scored.
* A 750-word personal statement showing how you meet the requirements for the role. In your personal statement please demonstrate your suitability for the role based on the essential criteria outlined.
Please complete a separate statement (Max 250 words) for the Desirable Criteria where applicable. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at sift or interview.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
We acknowledge that AI can assist you in your application. Find our guidelines here.
Sift
In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held based on your proven experience of developing Network Security Principles, Policies and Technical Standards, cyber security risk management decision making in a complex Network environment, and providing targeted and expert advice to inform business decision making.
Please note that your application may be rejected if you exceed the word count as specified.
At full sift, your Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.
We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.
Interview
During the panel interview, your Experience will be assessed.
Interviews will take place via video link. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Eligibility
Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days(Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - \\\'Please re-open my application - (insert vacancy ref) & vacancy closing date (insert date)\\\'.
To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for up to 6 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we\\\'ll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.
Merit List
After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.
Criminal Record Check
Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.
Reasonable Adjustments
We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
* Contact the UBS Recruitment team via 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\\\'re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Additional Security Information
Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.
Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers
Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.
Terms and Conditions
Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.
HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.
Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.
Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.
Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.
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.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.
Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.
If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the \\\'Contact point for applicants\\\' section.
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).