Cyber and Data Assurance Officer

Canterbury City Council; Canterbury; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

23 days annual leave plus bank and 3x:

Local government pension

Job summary

Canterbury City Council’s Digital and Technology team seeks a Cyber and Data Assurance Officer to help safeguard our systems, services and data. The role offers hybrid working and a competitive starting salary with generous leave entitlements and a strong pension.

You will carry out cyber and data assurance reviews, identify risks, gather evidence, and support governance and audit activities across the council and its suppliers.

Qualifications

• Strong organisational and analytical skills.
• Ability to review information, identify risks and spot gaps or inconsistencies.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across different teams and suppliers.
• Good communication skills and the ability to produce clear reports and documentation.
• A proactive and inquisitive approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.
• An interest in cyber security, governance, assurance or risk management.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out cyber and data assurance reviews across systems, services, suppliers and digital assets.
• Working with teams across the council to identify risks, gather evidence and support governance, audit and assurance activities.
• Supporting cyber security, data protection and technology assurance work, helping to monitor controls, track improvement actions and strengthen organisational resilience.
• Supporting assurance reviews of new and changed systems, services, suppliers and projects, identifying risks and following up actions.
• Supporting cyber awareness, training and engagement activities that help strengthen the council’s security culture.
• Producing clear reports and summaries to support decision-making, risk management and continuous improvement.

Education

Degree level or equivalent professional experience in cyber security, information assurance, risk management, IT, digital

Job description

The Digital and Technology team at Canterbury City Council are looking for a Cyber and Data Assurance Officer to join them.

Join a team that plays a key role in safeguarding the council’s systems, services and data. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop a career in cyber security, assurance, governance or risk management while gaining experience across a wide range of Digital and Technology services.

What’s in it for you?

• A starting salary of 43,832.44
• Flexible, hybrid working - we understand the importance of a good work-life balance.
• We offer a generous annual leave entitlement! You’ll receive 23 days annual leave which increase with service, plus bank holidays, PLUS 3 given days which are usually used over the Christmas period when our main offices are closed. You’ll also have the option to buy more annual leave.
• We do not work on Bank Holidays.
• A fantastic local government pension scheme.
• Employee perks, including multiple retailer and lifestyle discounts to help you get the most out of your money and enjoy your free time.
• An easier commute: free use of Canterbury’s Park and Ride, flexi bus tickets, and a cycle to work scheme.
• Stay healthy: Access to free counselling, advice and webinars through our employee assistance programme, as well as contributions to the cost of Flu Jabs.

About the role

The Cyber and Data Assurance Officer supports the council’s cyber and data assurance framework. Working across technology, suppliers and digital services, you’ll help ensure appropriate controls are in place, risks are identified and assurance evidence is maintained to support governance, audit and regulatory requirements.

Here’s what you’ll get up to:

• Carrying out cyber and data assurance reviews across systems, services, suppliers and digital assets.
• Working with teams across the council to identify risks, gather evidence and support governance, audit and assurance activities.
• Supporting cyber security, data protection and technology assurance work, helping to monitor controls, track improvement actions and strengthen organisational resilience.
• Supporting assurance reviews of new and changed systems, services, suppliers and projects, identifying risks and following up actions.
• Supporting cyber awareness, training and engagement activities that help strengthen the council’s security culture.
• Producing clear reports and summaries to support decision-making, risk management and continuous improvement.

Working Pattern:

• This role will be primarily home based with meetings at the council offices/hubs when required.
• Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
• 37 hours per week.
• Permanent full-time contract.
• A full week off over Christmas! Plus 23 days of annual leave to use throughout the rest of the year, increasing to 28 days after 5 years of service.

About you, the ideal Cyber and Data Assurance Officer for the job:

• Strong organisational and analytical skills.
• Ability to review information, identify risks and spot gaps or inconsistencies
• Ability to build effective working relationships across different teams and suppliers.
• Good communication skills and the ability to produce clear reports and documentation.
• A proactive and inquisitive approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.
• An interest in cyber security, governance, assurance or risk management.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience in a relevant discipline (e.g. cyber security, information assurance, risk management, IT, digital, or a related field), or equivalent experience demonstrating capability at this level.

A relevant professional or practitioner‑level qualification is desirable, for example in:

Cyber security or information assurance

Risk, audit or assurance

ICT or service management

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at Canterbury City Council

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity in everything we do. We provide a safe and welcoming environment where everyone is valued, included and respected.

Our diversity strengthens our ability to serve the diverse communities we support through our work.

To demonstrate this through our actions, all applications are anonymised for the shortlisting panel, allowing all applicants to be assessed on merit alone.

For an informal chat to find out more about the role or what it’s like to work for Canterbury City Council’s Digital team, please contact Michael Burrow by email to [e-mail]. Michael is our Cyber and Data Assurance Manager and very much welcomes your email.