Security Services Group (SSG) - Cyber Senior Technical Manager

Security Services Group (SSG) is the MOD’s Technical Authority for electronic and physical security providing in-house expert advice, design, installation and maintenance of electronic and physical security systems across Government, prioritised towards Secret and Above Secret, and items Attractive to Criminal and Terrorist Organisations (ACTO). SSG is part of GUARDIAN and is positioned within Standing Joint Command to support UK homeland security and resilience.

With an FTE of 325, SSG provides technical specialist ‘consultancy’ advice to projects to support the creation of design specifications through to commissioning; project management and delivery with through life maintenance; strategic and tactical compliance assurance reviews and audits across the business; an assured government use only Intruder Detection System built in-house; and security furniture services. Head of SSG is also the MOD’s Head of Specialism for Physical Security across the MOD (part of the Government Security Profession).

SSG’s Operational Delivery teams are the MOD’s specialist in-house security providers, delivering project management, design, installation and 24/7, 365 days a year maintenance of all aspects of electronic and physical security, with a global reach. SSG’s work is independently audited to ensure, ISO 9001:2015 and NSI compliance and accreditation as well as MOD’s own internal compliance regime. To learn more about SSG, visit Security Services Group - GOV.UK

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Cyber Senior Technical Officer to join SSG’s Production, Development and Technical Support Section. This is an exciting opportunity to work within an established team of development specialists, contributing to cutting-edge projects that shape the future of electronic security. Reporting directly to SSG’s Production, Development, and Support (PDS) Team Leader.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive industry knowledge, have a self-motivating attitude, and a proactive problem-solving approach to deliver complex and secure network design solutions. You will play a key role in supporting the next generation of security capabilities, managing stringent network security requirements, overseeing the cyber assurance of physical security systems and regulate SSG future integration with third-party manufacturers.

In addition to driving innovation, you will support SSG Operations with network designs and Cyber security reassurance.

This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking team and make a significant impact in a challenging and rewarding role.

Responsibilities include:

• Work collaboratively with SSG’s development section to achieve our ambitious technical vision.
• Designing, Supporting, and Implementing Networking Solutions: Design, support, and implement secure and robust networking solutions across the SSG estate, integrating security systems to ensure reliable and secure capabilities for SSG customers. In line with the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) guidelines.
• Managing Fibre Transmission Infrastructure: Oversee and maintain fibre transmission systems, including the use of SFP/SFP+ modules, ensuring optimal performance and infrastructure reliability.
• Configuring and Managing IP Addressing: Handle IP addressing and subnetting tasks using both IPv4 and IPv6 standards to ensure efficient network communication and resource allocation.
• Administering Network Protocols: Configure, monitor, and troubleshoot network protocols and disciplines such as OSPF, BGP, SNMP, VPC, BFD, HSRP, STP, VPN, MPLS, TCP/IP, UDP, ICMP, and IGMP to maintain seamless network operations.
• Implementing Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Automation: Deploy and manage Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technologies and network automation tools within an enterprise environment to enhance network efficiency and scalability.
• Maintaining Professional Expertise: Apply advanced knowledge and expertise in networking, supported by professional qualifications (e.g., above Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or equivalent vendor certifications), to deliver high-quality solutions and support.
• Be responsible for the quality of your work together with working in accordance with procedures, policies and responsibilities common across the engineering industry.
• Working knowledge of British, European and UK Government Standards relating to Security together with knowledge of QA and H&S policies.
• There may be opportunities for overtime, detached duty visits (overnight stays) and travelling time to attend other SSG, MOD and OGD sites as necessary depending on business needs.
• Opportunities to Participate in 24/7 On-Call Rota.

Please note, due to the level of security applications are only accepted from sole UK nationals only.

BTEC National or Higher National Certificate/Diploma or higher in a relevant subject such as computer science.

Open to UK nationals only.

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

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles framework to ensure a fair and comprehensive assessment of candidates. Your suitability for the role will be evaluated based on your experience, skills and demonstration of core behaviours throughout the process.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

A personal statement of (500 word count).

At application, you will be assessed against your CV, personal Statement and the following Behaviours:

• Changing & Improving
• Making Effective Decisions

At interview, you will be assessed against your experience and the following Behaviours and Technical Skill:

• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• SSG Functional Competence Area 1: Electronic Security Installation – Awareness
• SSG Functional Competence Area 3: Assessment, Development & Technical Support - Practitioner

What to Expect:

• The interview will explore both your professional experience and how your Behaviours and Technical Skills align with the role's requirements, we recommend using the STAR format when answering Behaviour questions.
• Interviews are planned to take place to Face to Face in MoD Sealand.

Further information:

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.

There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into 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.

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.

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