Lead Cyber Security Architect

Job summary

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.

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.

You’ll 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.

Job description

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.

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.

Person specification

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

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £56,185, UK Health Security Agency contributes £16,276 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%

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 and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 3 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

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

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide 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 be advised you 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.

Healthjobs UK 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 of a 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’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, 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 of a large number of applications/large amount of 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:

• Delive