NCSC Cyber Officer

Job summary

GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners, MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage.

At GCHQ, you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that places a strong emphasis on teamwork.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, is the UK Government’s lead authority on cyber security. The organisation is at the heart of the Government’s cyber security strategy and aims to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.

Job description

We are recruiting Cyber Officers across various departments within the NCSC to help the UK remain cyber resilient in the AI (Artificial Intelligence) age. Sitting within the National Resilience Directorate, these roles will support organisations across the public and private sectors to prepare for increasingly capable AI-powered cyber-attacks, while also helping them adopt AI safely, securely and with confidence.

You’ll work at the intersection of cyber security, emerging technology and national resilience, translating complex AI and cyber risks into practical guidance, support and action for government, regulators, critical sectors and businesses across the UK. You’ll help organisations understand what AI means for their security, resilience and future readiness.

This is an opportunity to shape a nationally significant area of work at a pivotal moment. AI is transforming both offensive and defensive cyber capabilities, and we need people who can think strategically, collaborate widely and turn uncertainty into practical resilience.

If you are motivated by emerging technology, public purpose and the opportunity to make a real national impact, this role offers the chance to join us in securing the UK’s future in an era of rapid technological change.

Supporting the NCSC’s role in building resilience across the public and private sectors, the role involves extensive engagement with colleagues across the NCSC, GCHQ and wider government to understand the threats facing critical national infrastructure and the wider private sector, including those arising from AI. Working closely with government departments, regulators and other arm’s-length bodies, you’ll help shape policy, guidance and operational approaches that strengthen national cyber resilience. The role also provides opportunities to represent the NCSC externally, engaging with industry stakeholders, attending meetings and supporting briefings for a range of audiences.

Success in the role will depend on your ability to build strong relationships, influence across sectors and translate emerging cyber and AI challenges into practical resilience outcomes. There’ll also be opportunities to deepen cyber expertise, contribute to the development of others and help shape the UK’s approach to cyber resilience in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

If combining stakeholder engagement, national impact and emerging technology to help the UK stay resilient appeals to you, this role offers a powerful opportunity to make a difference.

Depending on your background experience, skills and interests, work could include:

• Working with regulators, critical national infrastructure operators and other organisations to strengthen cyber resilence and promote the effective use of NCSC guidance, tools, services and frameworks, including the Cyber Assessment Framework.
• Improving and evolving NCSC guidance, services and resilience frameworks to meet the needs of government, regulators, industry and the wider private sector.
• Developing data, evidence and insight capabilities to enhance how the NCSC, government and regulators measure, understand and drive improvements in national cyber resilience, including building and maintaining data ecosystems that support mission impact.

Some posts may require regular attendance at partner sites, with an expectation of working from these locations for at least 50% of the working week.

Person specification

We’re looking for enthusiastic, proactive and organised team players who enjoy working with people and building strong relationships. You’ll be comfortable engaging with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, working collaboratively across government, industry and the wider cyber community to build effective partnerships and deliver shared outcomes.

Experience of contributing to fast-paced, high-profile work with real-world consequences is desirable, alongside sound judgement, adaptability and the ability to navigate ambiguity. The ability to support the development of creative and practical solutions to new and evolving challenges will also be valuable.

A willingness to represent the NCSC externally, including stakeholder engagement, meetings and briefing activities, would be advantageous.

Knowledge of cyber security and/or AI and their application is strongly preferred. Relevant qualifications, certifications, or professional experience would be advantageous. Regardless of your starting point, we will support you to develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed and continue building your expertise throughout your career. Subject to achieving the required skills, postholders may also become eligible for specialist pay.

Please note: The NCSC is advertising a number of roles at the moment. Please submit an application for each role you wish to be considered for. Applying for other roles will not be detrimental to your application for this role and, if you are successful in a number of roles, you will be able to choose which role you prefer at the point of conditional job offer.

GCHQ Competencies

As part of the selection process, the NCSC will assess you using competencies aligned with those used across the UK Intelligence Community. These are closely based on the Civil Service Behaviours, so if you’re familiar with them, you’re already on the right track.

At Level 3, we’ll be looking at how you demonstrate the following:

• Seeing the Big Picture(Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Seeing the Big Picture)
• Communicating and Influencing(Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Communicating and Influencing)
• Working Collaboratively(Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Working Together)
• Making Effective Decisions(Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Making Effective Decisions)
• Delivering Outcomes(Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Delivering at Pace)

To help you prepare your application, further information on Civil Service Behaviours can be found here:

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,841, GCHQ contributes £13,280 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).

At NCSC and GCHQ, we are proud of our inclusive and supportive working environment, which is designed to encourage open minds and positive attitudes. As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we are committ