EO Security Support Officer

The Cabinet Office supports the Prime Minister and ensures the smooth running of government, from developing policy, to modernising public services. Within the Cabinet Office, the Security & Resilience (COSR) Team is the lead body for managing protective security, advising business units, and mitigating security threats across the department.

We are recruiting a dynamic EO Security Support Officer to work across our Security operations. To build departmental resilience and offer a rich learning experience, the successful candidate will rotate periodically across three high-performing and essential security teams:

• Vetting Team: Responsible for overseeing National Security Vetting (NSV) across the Cabinet Office, ensuring compliance with NSV policies and working closely with UK Security Vetting (UKSV) and the Government Security Group (GSG).
• STRAP Team (STRAPSO): Regulates and monitors access to highly sensitive intelligence material that requires specialised protective handling beyond standard government arrangements.
• Incident Management Team: Managing security incidents, assessing risks, analysing data and where necessary, escalating incidents and emerging threats to the correct team or stakeholder.

As a security Support Officer, your duties will include:

• Managing team inboxes, operational tracking systems, and taking on-call or out-of-hours responsibilities as required.
• Administering National Security Vetting (NSV) applications, transfers, and clearance processes, ensuring accuracy and complete records.
• Verifying candidate and stakeholder information to maintain the integrity of vetting databases, as well as managing the vetting aftercare and leavers' processes.
• Providing administrative control of environments, maintaining accurate security records, and managing access to secure meeting rooms and video-conferencing facilities.
• Managing user accounts, secure telephony, and access applications for classified IT systems across the Cabinet Office and No. 10.
• Delivering clear technical training, security briefings, and familiarisation sessions to colleagues of all grades.
• Supporting hardware and software projects, capturing user requirements, and tracking project delivery.
• Investigating, recording, and reporting security incidents or breaches to the wider security team with constructive recommendations.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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

Application process

To apply, you are required to submit an online application consisting of:

• A tailored CV (maximum 2 pages of A4) outlining your employment history, Qualifications and skills. Any employment gaps within the last 2 years must be explained.
• A Personal Statement (maximum 750 words) aligned to the Essential Criteria to demonstrate your suitability for this role.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Selection process

• Stage 1: Informal Virtual Conversation

Candidates successful at the sift stage will be invited to a Stage 1 informal virtual conversation via video call.

• Stage 2: London Face-to-Face Assessment & Interview

Candidates who progress from the Stage 1 conversation will be invited to an assessment and interview in our London office. This will consist of a Written Exercise: A 30-minute bespoke written exercise. Interview: A 40-minute interview covering some Strength-based questions and the following Success Profile behaviours.

Behaviours:

• Managing a Quality Service (Lead Behaviour): Deliver professional, prompt, and accurate customer-focused security services.
• Working Together: Collaborate actively within and across teams, building inclusive relationships.
• Making Effective Decisions: Analyse and evaluate key security information to make sound, timely choices.
• Delivering at Pace: Maintain focus and energy to deliver high-quality work to agreed timelines.

Further details regarding the exercise and interview will be provided to candidates invited to Stage 2.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – week commencing 02/11/2026

Expected interview date/s – week commencing 16/11/2026

Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via Cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further information

Please note applicants must hold UK nationality as a minimum. Dual nationals may apply.

This role requires DV clearance. DV clearance would normally need minimum 7 years UK residency in the past 10 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to Cabinet Office 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.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Feedback

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