Cyber Operations Roles Ref 2322

Mind Achieving Impact AwardSocial Mobility Foundation AwardThe Times Top 100Disability confident leaderThe Prince's Responsible Business

Cyber
Gloucestershire
Permanent
Full Time
£34,831 (this is made up of basic salary + £2,189 Concessionary Payment + £4,000 skills payment), plus £3,000 recruitment bonus.

ABOUT US
As one of Britain’s intelligence agencies, we unlock the complex world of communications to make a real difference to the safety of the nation. We work closely with our partners in the intelligence community to safeguard Britain’s people, interests, and businesses from various threats. Think serious organised crime, such as people and drugs trafficking, or terrorism and cyber-attacks. It’s interesting and varied work that you won’t find anywhere else.
At GCHQ, diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodiverse conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce.

BENEFITS PACKAGE
We have an excellent benefits package which includes 25 days holiday as standard (pro rata) increasing to 30 days after five years, various flexible working patterns and part time working options available, generous pension contributions and parental leave, and three days volunteering leave.


THE ROLE
Do you enjoy problem solving and complex challenges? Do you have the ability to think outside the box to deliver creative solutions? Are you attracted to a role that challenges the way you think? GCHQ is offering you the exciting opportunity to join our Computer Network Operations team in Gloucestershire.
Our Computer Network Operations teams use bespoke technology to legally infiltrate the computers of terrorists and criminals to discover and disrupt their plans. Under strict legal safeguards and oversights, we have the scope to do things that wouldn’t be possible elsewhere. Working collaboratively in teams, you will work with a broad spectrum of technologies to develop the solutions required to gather intelligence and disrupt those that seek to do harm to the UK and its citizens.
At GCHQ, we’ll invest in your skills and adapt to the way you like to learn. We’ll support and encourage you, helping you to become an integral part of our world-class team. Your skills could cover numerous technical areas, from complex operational infrastructure to the development of sophisticated software, and everything in between. We want people who have an affinity for technology, with a keen desire to learn and an ability adapt to an ever-changing set of adversaries.
Our flexible working policy ensures a healthy work-life balance. We also look to accommodate reduced hours or job share options balanced against business needs.


REQUIREMENTS
We’re looking for passionate individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, who will thrive working in a team environment and value the different perspectives of others.
You relish a challenge and are willing to experiment to find a solution in a fast-paced environment. You recognise the breadth of internet technologies and both the benefits and drawbacks that they offer the world. You’re able to grasp computing concepts and apply your knowledge to your work, along with an ability to work lawfully and ethically at all times.


The set of technologies we already use is varied and constantly growing all the time. As such, we don’t expect any one candidate to have experience with them all, the important thing is to have some understanding of technology, an aptitude and desire to learn new skills and to solve interesting challenges with them.  To help demonstrate that, a good understanding of some of the following is desirable:


•    Networking fundamentals (Cisco, Juniper, LAN and WAN technologies)
•    Network analysis and troubleshooting tools, such as Wireshark, ProcMon, Splunk, etc.
•    Internet and network technologies, such as IP, TCP, UDP, HTTP, DNS, etc.
•    Programming languages, such as Python, C++, Java, JavaScript
•    Windows and Linux operating system and security fundamentals
•    General interest in technology, automation, and virtualisation


If you’re excited about working with us and think you have some of what we’re looking for but aren’t sure if you’re 100% there yet… Rule yourself in and give it a go!


We welcome applications if you have, or expect to obtain by July 2022, a minimum 2:2 degree in a STEM subject and can demonstrate the ability to work within the areas above, for example, through personal projects or degree-related study. Or candidates should currently have work experience within a related field, regardless of educational background.


Please find the list of STEM subjects listed below:


STEM Subjects


You must also meet our nationality, residency, and security requirements. You can find more details here


TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
At GCHQ, we’re proud that we offer an inclusive and supportive working environment that encourages open minds and attitudes. As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential. With comprehensive training and development opportunities, tailored to your needs and the requirements of your work, we’ll enable you to flourish in your role and perform to the best of your abilities.


SALARY
Total package of £34,831 (this is made up of basic salary + £2,189 Concessionary Payment + £4,000 skills payment). There is also a recruitment bonus of £3,000 paid in 2 instalments: the first is paid upon arrival, and the second upon successful completion of the probation period.


LOCATION
Within 4 miles of Cheltenham (within an hour’s journey of Birmingham, Bristol, and Oxford)


SELECTION PROCESS
Be prepared to dedicate 60 minutes towards completing your application. We are conscious this might be more time than you expected, so our system will allow you to save your application at any time and come back to it later. But remember to submit your full application before the closing date.
To apply for this position, you must meet our nationality, residency and security requirements. You’ll find more details here


If you meet the minimum eligibility criteria, the next steps of this selection process are:
•    Application sift
•    Online interview
•    Drugs test


Online interviews will likely be held in October 2021. Further details of interview arrangements will be provided to those who successfully reach this stage.
If you successfully complete the required stages, and are successful at interview, you will receive a job offer, conditional on you completing our Developed Vetting (DV) process, which enables you to obtain the level of security clearance required to undertake this role.


OFFER OF INTERVIEW
As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. This is known as the Offer of Interview (OOI).
To secure an interview for this role, candidates applying under this scheme must have, or expect to obtain by July 2022, a minimum 2:2 degree in a STEM subject and can demonstrate the ability to work within the areas above, for example, through personal projects or degree-related study. We also welcome applications from experienced candidates who currently work within a related field, regardless of educational background. Candidates applying under the OOI scheme must also meet the minimum pass mark for question 1 of the application form.


ELIGIBILITY STATEMENT
To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. One of your parents must be a British Citizen or must have the nationality or citizenship from our approved list of countries here. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered.


Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK.
You can apply at the age of 17 years and 6 months, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday.


Discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.


Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside of the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. Further information on our eligibility criteria can be found on the Applying section.


Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.


This Program / Vacancy is closed to applications.