Closing date for applications is 12 December 2011
Cyber Security Specialist - GC10
Senior Cyber Security Specialist - GC9
GCHQ is at the forefront of the nation's cyber security strategy and is
dedicated to ensuring our government can operate in cyber space with
confidence. We are committed to staying ahead of the swift pace demanded
by the evolving digital world.
In a game where our adversaries operate with no rules and unknown
boundary lines, you will be exploring the possibilities and inventing
the seemingly impossible. We need pioneers that can push the technical
boundaries and cope with the unknown. Our work involves a journey to the
very depths of operating systems, complex networks and IT security
fundamentals.
We are looking for high calibre, enthusiastic and innovative individuals
with strong technical skills. You need to be good at problem solving,
delivering at pace and have the ability to work as part of a team.
QUALIFICATIONS
Graduate Level: We are looking for graduates with a
minimum 2:1 degree in a STEM related subject (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics), preferably with a significant IT
component.
Experienced: We are looking for people with
specialist knowledge, professional qualifications and/or practical
experience gained in a formal or informal setting.
Please ensure if you are an existing Civil Servant or have
been involved in Government work in any capacity that the responses
on your application and the content within your CV remains at an
Unclassified level.
Successful candidates will be engaged in a wide variety of roles where
their problem solving skills will be key. The roles are across a number
of areas within GCHQ's cyber mission, this is due to the wide remit we
have to assist in the protection and defence of HMG and the Critical
National Infrastructure. This remit includes the protection of
government IT systems, carrying out research and development,
discovering new threats, providing forensic, malware and intrusion
analysis as well as being an expert in the wide variety of technologies
used in the cyber world today and in the future.
We are not just looking for good people, we are looking for people who
are, or have the potential to become, experts in their field. You will
be using your technical expertise to pioneer solutions to complex
problems, rather than just delivering to specification and as a result,
you will often need to combine your technical skills with an
enquiring mind.
Salary
The starting salary for the GC10 position is £25,446.
The starting salary for the GC9 position is £31,152.
GCHQ reserves the right to assess candidates at both grades.
Your salary will be based upon working a 5 day week of 42 hours,
including lunch intervals of 1 hour (37 hours net). A system of flexible
working hours is in operation in most areas, dependant on business
needs. Where available, this allows individuals to vary the times they
start and finish work each day, enabling them to take up to 4 days
additional leave ('flexi') per 4-week period.
GCHQ operates a non-consolidated performance related payment scheme
which enables staff achieving prescribed levels of performance to
attract the payment of a non-consolidated performance payment. Salary is
paid in arrears by monthly transfer. Salary scales are reviewed
annually in October.
Annual Leave
New entrants to GCHQ are given a basic holiday entitlement (otherwise
known as 'leave') of 22 days per year, rising to 25 days after one years
service.
After 10 years service your leave entitlement will rise to 30 days per
year. GCHQ is flexible in the accrual of leave, enabling staff to carry
over or anticipate annual leave from one year to another.
In addition, there are 10.5 days for public and privilege holidays.
Pension
When you join GCHQ you are eligible to join the Civil Service pension arrangements. We offer two types of pension:
- NUVOS - This is an occupational pension scheme that currently
has a 3.5% member contribution rate. As your employer we meet the rest
of the cost of the scheme.
- PARTNERSHIP PENSION ACCOUNT - This is a stakeholder pension
with a contribution from your employer. How much we pay is based on
your age. We pay this regardless of whether you choose to contribute
anything. You do not have to contribute, but if you do, we will also
match your contributions up to 3% of your pensionable earnings. The
contributions are in addition to the age-related contribution mentioned
above.
The Application Process
NOTE: Application is On-line only. You are encouraged to complete the
application form thoroughly, as an invitation to the next stage is based
on this information. We cannot, unfortunately, pursue those applicants
who do not provide all the relevant information on the application form.
Please also ensure you maintain your 'Main Details' section with any
changes to your contact details -especially your email address - as this
will be our main method of communicating with you.
Fully completed applications are then subject to the processes described
in the Selection Process section below. Candidate expenses may be
payable to candidates attending an Assessment Centre or Interview.
Candidate Expenses
Applicants attending an Assessment Centre will have their
qualifying UK incurred expenses paid, subject to a maximum 55 GBP for
justifiable overnight accommodation, standard rail fares only or basic
mileage allowance (15 pence per mile) if travelling by car. Details of
how to claim will be provided by staff when you attend your assessment
centre or interview. GCHQ does not pay claims for testing events.
YOUR PUBLIC PROFILE
GCHQ is an organisation that has secrets of crucial importance to the
security, defence and economic wellbeing of the UK. Foreign Intelligence
Services are active in this country and are targeting these secrets.
They are interested in members of the security or intelligence agencies
and, in particular, those at the start of their career.
To protect yourself and the UK’s secrets, don’t take everyone at face
value. Be particularly wary of anyone who shows undue interest in your
future job plans; think about the security aspects of what you do. For
example, be mindful of how you present yourself on the internet - do not
post on social networking sites that you have applied to GCHQ! Think
twice before you tell anyone where you may be going to work! Click here to read further about how you should manage your public profile.
If you’d like some more advice about staying secure on social networking sites, click here.
Application
Application is on-line only; Closing date for the campaign is 12 December 2011.
Paper Sift
The initial paper sift of completed applications will be conducted by
the Recruitment team to ensure applicants meet the minimum criteria and
the nationality/residency requirements. (This sift also takes into
account candidates who have declared a disability and who meet the
minimum criteria).
Tests
Candidates successful at the sift stage will be invited to sit ability tests. Tests will be held in Manchester on 10 January 2012 and in Cheltenham on 14 January 2012
Assessment Centre
Applicants successful at the test stage will be invited to attend an
assessment centre at GCHQ. The assessment centres are scheduled for 20 Feb to 09 Mar 2012.
As part of the normal selection and vetting process you will also talk
to a Vetting Officer and you will be required to take a drugs test at
this time.
Note: Applicants who are selected to attend an Assessment Centre and
will be expected to bring with them their Degree or Professional
Qualification Certificates as detailed in the minimum entry requirements
above. Applicants awaiting qualification results must provide evidence
of their result before a formal offer of appointment can be made.
Your invite to attend an Assessment Centre will also contain guidance on
how to obtain a Credit Check Reference Agency Report. Please bring your
report to the Assessment Centre stage as this will help to speed up the
Background Enquiry Process should you be successful.
Background Enquiry Process
If successful, you will progress to the next stage of the recruitment
process where we enquire into nationality, health, security and other
matters. A formal offer of appointment cannot be made until these
enquiries have been satisfactorily completed. This stage takes, on
average, 3 - 5 months (but can be longer).
GCHQ operates a strict policy on the use of illegal drugs and the misuse or abuse of legal drugs.
Contacting Your Employer
As part of the background enquiry process and before the granting of any
security clearance can be considered, a representative from our
Personnel Security will need to contact your current employer. This is
normally towards the end of the background enquiry process after your
consent to contact them has been sought.
Joining
Upon successful completion of background enquiries, candidates will be
given a formal job offer. The Recruitment Team will call or email you to
arrange a mutually convenient date to start work at GCHQ and will issue
the relevant paperwork. All new entrants begin their careers by
attending an induction course (run monthly).
Deployment
The roles available in the department are wide and varied. GCHQ will aim
to identify people to work in specific areas from the very first stages
of the recruitment process. Therefore you will need to ensure you
answer all questions as honestly and comprehensively as you can. Every
stage of the recruitment process is aimed at identifying the skills and
competencies that GCHQ can best use. This could mean that you have a
preference for one particular area of work but GCHQ places you in
another. This is in recognition of the fact that GCHQ has identified you
have aptitude in skills that match to other business areas needs.
Therefore, your first posting is likely to be for a minimum of 3 years,
in line with the departmental standard; after this you will be able to
express a preference for subsequent roles.
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