Cyber Policy Advisor

Position description

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Do you want to work at the forefront of current policy making decisions? Do you want to have an impact on the UK and beyond? If yes, then a career at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) could be for you.     

Here at DESNZ we are delivering our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower, with clean electricity by 2030 and accelerating the UK’s journey to net zero. Our work is helping ensure clean energy for all, keep bills down and seize the opportunities to lead the world in new green industries, taking back control of our energy with Great British Energy and encouraging greater energy efficiency across the UK. The work of the department has never been more timely or relevant, and by joining us you will be part of making that difference.   

Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly it’s impactful. Our DESNZ Values are interwoven into everything we do; we are bold, we are collaborative, we are inclusive, and we learn. As a department we are committed to these values to build a culture where everyone can thrive 

We offer great working benefits including a world-class pension, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.  

Do you want to work directly with senior officials on live, high-profile national security issues, in a dynamic environment? Do you enjoy working on new and evolving areas of policy with trusted partner organisations? Then a role in the Cyber Policy Team, which coordinates DESNZ’ cyber security work could be for you!

We focus on ensuring that risks to critical infrastructure in the gas, electricity and oil sectors are understood and that appropriate mitigations are established by industry and Government. There will be opportunity to use your influencing skills with a range of external and internal partners and across Whitehall, so that critical energy infrastructure is adequately protected.

This role is focused on increasing cyber security in the energy sector supply chain. This is an area that is growing in importance as supply chains become more critical and interlinked. As we increase levels of cyber resilience amongst our key operators, we need to ensure that their suppliers are not the weak link in our defences!

You will be an individual who can demonstrate drive, excellent communication, interpersonal skills and a willingness to learn and grapple with a complex but important policy problems. You will develop new and exciting policy to bring in guidance (and possibly regulatory requirements) for critical suppliers in the energy sector.

You will produce succinct high-quality briefings for ministers and other key senior customers on supply chain policy and ensure it aligns with XWH supply chain policy.

You will also partner with industry via our supply chain industry working group to ensure that policy is developed in an impactful and industry consulted way and helps to mitigate supply chain cyber risks.
This dynamic role also involves close working with partners across Whitehall, including Cabinet Office and the National Cyber Security Centre (part of GCHQ).

Emergencies can occur at any time so you will become a member of the Out of Hours Emergency Rota (roughly 1 week in 6), providing a 24hr/7days a week capability. An additional allowance is provided for this function.

Person specification

Key responsibilities

• Policy development to improve security of the cyber supply chain.
• Work with operators of energy critical national infrastructure (CNI) to understand their operations and their cyber vulnerabilities.
• Lead engagement with partners in DESNZ, across Whitehall and with the NCSC.
• Support, produce and delivery high quality briefing and key presentations for senior colleagues and Ministers as well as answer parliamentary correspondence and questions.
• Participate in emergency response training and exercises and assist with DESNZ’s response to emergencies in the energy sector when needed.
• Support and potentially oversee relationship management with industry on cyber security issues via our industry supply chain forum.

Skills and experience

• Experience of supporting policy development
• Strong written and communication skills
• Organised self-starter with a willingness to learn new skills
• Stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to forge and maintain good relationships.
• This is a non-technical role. Background knowledge of energy or cyber security, supply chain or security policy is desirable but not necessary. Full training will be provided.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

 

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on tendersglobal.net