Transformation jobs in United Kingdom

Army Headquarters, Andover, SP11 8HJ

We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuing you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently – we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation. However, recognising the benefits of face to face working, especially for new joiners, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week).

Job Summary

The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 12,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army.

Step into the future of warfare with the Information Directorate, where data drives decisions and digital dominance defines victory. We lead in strategic data management, intelligence, and cutting-edge technology, delivering the tools that give the Army a decisive edge on the modern battlefield.

As part of our civil servant team, you’ll be at the forefront of information warfare, countering disinformation, safeguarding critical data, and ensuring information integrity in a rapidly evolving digital battlespace. You’ll work with state-of-the-art tools, including AI, advanced analytics, and next-gen tech, helping the Army outthink, outmanoeuvre, and outpace its adversaries.

In the Information Directorate, you’ll turn that vision into reality. From strengthening cyber resilience to driving digital transformation on the front lines, your expertise will shape the Army’s future. You’ll collaborate with a diverse network of experts, deploying innovative strategies to maintain the Army’s dominance in an increasingly contested information environment.

This is more than a job—it’s your chance to redefine digital defence, push the boundaries of innovation, and directly contribute to the Army’s lethality and operational effectiveness.

Join us. Shape the future. Strengthen the force.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

An exciting job role exists in the Cyber and Security Team as the Defensive Security Operations Lead. This role works within the inclusive and innovative Cyber and Security team, part of the Information Directorate within Army Headquarters, a diverse and highly capable workforce. This post is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to develop and progress their careers, both in technical delivery and management perspectives.

The successful candidate will be responsible for formulating, cohering and executing the Army’s response to a cyber event impacting the Army’s Digital Enterprise (ADE), in conjunction with other Top-Level Budgets (TLB) Stakeholders, on behalf of the Army Principal Security Advisor (PSyA) and Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO)/Cyber Information Security Officer (CISO). This will involve reviewing and developing existing response plans, based on lessons identified (internally and other TLBs), testing them in table top exercises and wargames, and when an operational response is required to an incident, take the lead for the TLB response, typically looking across the organisation up to TLB Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and into Defence.

Secure behaviours play an integral role in protecting both the UK, and our Armed Forces, against external and internal threats. Through this role, you will have the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of the security risks facing the Army across the cyber domains. You will also become a member of the Government Security Profession, and there are further opportunities for continued professional development.

The successful candidate must be comfortable engaging with wider Defence, Government, and industry. Occasional travel within the UK will be required but this will rarely demand overnight stays.

The Successful Candidate Will Be Required To:

• Lead the Army’s operational response to a cyber event that affects the Army Digital Enterprise (ADE). This will include the direction and co-ordination of response by system managers and owners (including Senior Responsible Owners (SRO), subordinate staffs (e.g. Land Operations Command), contractors & service providers (e.g. Defence Digital)
• Lead on the TLB engagement and support stakeholders engaged in the Army’s supply and contract chain, in the event of a cyber event
• Develop and cohere Army incident response plans based on emerging threats, organisational changes and the lessons identified from previous events and operations
• Deliver table top exercises, workshops and wargames to test response plans and inform the Army Senior Leadership Team
• Coordinate the Army’s cyber intelligence requirements and lead on the dissemination of cyber threat intelligence to ensure stakeholders are threat informed
• Work collaboratively with the Warning, Alert and Report Point (WARP), Security and Resilience staff to address cross-cutting security issues
• Line Management of Military Defensive Cyber Security Post
  
  

If you are a strong communicator able to engage with stakeholders across government, work efficiently and at pace, across multiple IT systems and security classifications, we need you!

This post is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to develop and progress their careers. Appropriate training courses will be provided to ensure the candidate has the skills and knowledge required to perform the role. The MOD offers support and development in your career, including training as part of your role. In the Army we are passionate about delivering great things for our people. But we also know you will have a life outside of work; we respect your priorities and are committed to flexible working practices to give you freedom to balance work and life.

An exciting job role exists in the Cyber and Security Team as the Defensive Security Operations Lead. This role works within the inclusive and innovative Cyber and Security team, part of the Information Directorate within Army Headquarters, a diverse and highly capable workforce. This post is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to develop and progress their careers, both in technical delivery and management perspectives.

The successful candidate will be responsible for formulating, cohering and executing the Army’s response to a cyber event impacting the Army’s Digital Enterprise (ADE), in conjunction with other Top-Level Budgets (TLB) Stakeholders, on behalf of the Army Principal Security Advisor (PSyA) and Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO)/Cyber Information Security Officer (CISO). This will involve reviewing and developing existing response plans, based on lessons identified (internally and other TLBs), testing them in table top exercises and wargames, and when an operational response is required to an incident, take the lead for the TLB response, typically looking across the organisation up to TLB Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and into Defence.

Secure behaviours play an integral role in protecting both the UK, and our Armed Forces, against external and internal threats. Through this role, you will have the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of the security risks facing the Army across the cyber domains. You will also become a member of the Government Security Profession, and there are further opportunities for continued professional development.

The successful candidate must be comfortable engaging with wider Defence, Government, and industry. Occasional travel within the UK will be required but this will rarely demand overnight stays.

The Successful Candidate Will Be Required To:

• Lead the Army’s operational response to a cyber event that affects the Army Digital Enterprise (ADE). This will include the direction and co-ordination of response by system managers and owners (including Senior Responsible Owners (SRO), subordinate staffs (e.g. Land Operations Command), contractors & service providers (e.g. Defence Digital)
• Lead on the TLB engagement and support stakeholders engaged in the Army’s supply and contract chain, in the event of a cyber event
• Develop and cohere Army incident response plans based on emerging threats, organisational changes and the lessons identified from previous events and operations
• Deliver table top exercises, workshops and wargames to test response plans and inform the Army Senior Leadership Team
• Coordinate the Army’s cyber intelligence requirements and lead on the dissemination of cyber threat intelligence to ensure stakeholders are threat informed
• Work collaboratively with the Warning, Alert and Report Point (WARP), Security and Resilience staff to address cross-cutting security issues
• Line Management of Military Defensive Cyber Security Post
  
  

If you are a strong communicator able to engage with stakeholders across government, work efficiently and at pace, across multiple IT systems and security classifications, we need you!

This post is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to develop and progress their careers. Appropriate training courses will be provided to ensure the candidate has the skills and knowledge required to perform the role. The MOD offers support and development in your career, including training as part of your role. In the Army we are passionate about delivering great things for our people. But we also know you will have a life outside of work; we respect your priorities and are committed to flexible working practices to give you freedom to balance work and life.

Person specification

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who can handle the pressure of coordinating a wide range of activities and should be comfortable working within the security profession, willing to challenge established norms and process and be prepared to adapt to changing priorities. Applicants should also have effective written and verbal communication skills and display a positive and professional attitude. Good judgement and strong interpersonal skills are required, as well as the ability to work under pressure.

We are looking for a person with relevant work experience in Cyber and Network Security Operations. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.

It is essential that the successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

• Relevant qualification/experience of cyber / security operations
• Ability to work with diverse internal and external stakeholders and build strong relationships
• Highly organised and able to deal with multiple requests/priorities with competing deadlines
  
  

Desirable Skills:

• Experience of working in Security, Risk Management, Cyber
• Experience of performance management and lessons analysis
• A formal relevant certification, but not limited to the CISM, CISSP, Degree, HND, HNC, or extensive relevant work experience
• Membership of one or more recognised Professional Security Body
• Have previous experience working in a security environment
• Previous experience working in a military environment
• Understanding of the National Institute of Security and Technology (NIST) Framework
• SANS 553: Cyber Incident Management
  
  

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
  
  

Alongside your salary of £44,590, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other Benefits For Army Civil Servants Include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Highly competitive Pension contribution of 28.97%
• Personal and professional development of skills
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
• Learning and Development
  
  

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.

A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD 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/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

At application you will be asked to provide a CV and personal statement of no more than 750 words. Please evidence against the requirements listed in description of responsibilities and experience. Also to include experience of: Cyber / Security Operations or relevant work experience.

You will also be assessed against the following behaviours -

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions (lead behaviour)
  
  

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

Applications will be sifted using all elements listed above, but in the event of a high number of applications, a sift will be conducted on the lead behaviour only: Making Effective Decisions.

At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours -

• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

You will also be asked experience based questions.

Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed but these will be held in person at Army Headquarters, Andover. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

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 developed vetting (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.

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 developed vetting (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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.

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).

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 : James Gardiner
• Email : James.Gardiner653@mod.gov.uk
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
  
  

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.