Senior Cyber Responder
FCDO Services
- Department
- FCDO Services
- Location
- Milton Keynes
- Openings
- 1 post
- Grade
- HEO
- Salary
- £43,088 to £44,752
- Closing
- 20 days left
- Profession
- DDaT, Operational Delivery
- Contract
- Permanent
- Security clearance
- DV
- Working pattern
- Full-time
Job summary
Senior Cyber Responder
Salary: £43,088 – 44,752 plus a location allowance of £1,750 and excellent benefits
Location: Based in Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes with the flexibility of 60% hybrid working.
Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
At FCDO Services we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.
What they’re looking for
- We are looking for people with:
- Experience in cyber security
- Working experience in IT resolving technical problems
- Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively in a team
- Able to manipulate and interpret data using a variety of tools
- Able to produce clear technical documentation
- NVQ Level 4 in Cyber Security or equivalent (e.g. CompTIA Security+, SANS SEC401, Level 4 Apprenticeship
Behaviours you’ll be assessed on
This advert says the panel will score you against these behaviours at HEO level. Each one links to worked examples.
Job description
Our Technology and Operations team is at the forefront of digital solutions and services for FCDO and Government. They provide best in-class solutions for our clients, helping to shape and support a data driven future for UK government. Whether it’s creating bespoke, secure software, offering programme and application support or moving an entire embassy’s servers to a Cloud platform. No matter the task, they are on hand to support. Join them in this important role and you’ll have the opportunity to lead them on the next stage of our exciting journey.
Providing innovation to government partners
Delivering best-in-class solutions
Working at the cutting-edge of technology
It all matters
Develop your cyber security skills as you work to keep the UK safe from threats
As a Senior Cyber Responder within our supportive and tightly knit team, you will identify and analyse security incidents, develop recovery plans and forensic capabilities, and help provide a security consultancy service to our organisation and the customers we serve. This role offers the opportunity to further develop skills and expertise through on-the-job training, gain exposure to advanced incident response activities, and undertake digital forensics across a wide range of devices. Responsibilities include using, developing and designing approaches and tools to investigate and recover from cyber security incidents affecting complex software systems and infrastructures across our network, including applications, servers and laptops. The role also involves conducting scheduled tests and checks to monitor compliance with incident response and recovery plans, and taking responsibility for the task management of an Associate Cyber Responder.
Additional responsibilities include analysing security breaches and recommending solutions to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents occurring in the future, as well as communicating the potential business impact of vulnerabilities. With a strong commitment to promoting security awareness across the organisation, you will share knowledge and expertise with colleagues, coach other associates, and maintain professional development in line with emerging technologies and industry best practice. You may also be required to participate in the team’s 24/7 on-call service, supporting the investigation and remediation of security issues as they arise.
Grow your career as you help us achieve our vital global mission
Confident, self-motivated and a collaborative team player, it’s important that you have practical experience of resolving complex technical IT problems and in cyber security this may have come from other relevant roles such as (Soc Analyst, Security Analyst, Security Engineer) or in an IT role with strong exposure to security issues. Capable of using a variety of tools to manipulate and interpret data, and able to produce clear technical documentation, you should also have an NVQ Level 4 in Cyber Security or its equivalent experience – for example CompTIA Security+, SANS SEC401 or a Level 4 Apprenticeship.
With the confidence to work in a fast-paced environment, your excellent interpersonal and communication skills will allow you to liaise with a diverse range of stakeholders and take on important leadership tasks. You will be at an advantage if you’ve completed a management training programme, and an understanding of information risk assessment, risk management, threat assessment, compliance monitoring and controls testing would be desirable. This is a role where there’ll be plenty of opportunities to develop your career, take on more responsibilities and progress within our organisation.
Please be aware that we can only accept applications for this role from British citizens with sole nationality – we cannot accept applications from dual or foreign nationals.
Discover the support you need to grow your career further
But we’re always looking to improve – just like you. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It’s a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.
Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. You can find out more about vetting at fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/
To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk
Closing date: 20th September 2026
Qualifications
NVQ Level 4 in Cyber Security or equivalent (e.g. CompTIA Security+, SANS SEC401, Level 4 Apprenticeship)
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
Selection process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide your CV, a personal statement, and provide answers to some job specific/technical skills.
Your CV and personal statement will not form part of the assessment they will provide an insight into your work history and experience.
Your CV should include:
- no personal identifying details
- career history with key responsibilities
- achievements
- qualifications
Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.
Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the technical/ job specific questions which are outlined in the application form.
If we receive a large number of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the Lead Criteria only. If you pass the initial sift you will be progressed to full sift or directly to interview.
Those that are successful will be invited to a Face to face interview.
At the interview you will be asked a blend of questions on technical/job specific skills and behaviours. The candidate will need to complete a job specific exercise.
Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.
This role is a reserved post and to be eligible to be appointed you must be a sole British Citizen
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Practise before you apply
Civil Service panels score every answer against the Success Profiles behaviours at HEO level. Practise STAR answers and get them marked against the same framework.
3 free questions · No card needed
Similar vacancies
- Data Engineer Level I · Department for Work and Pensions · £38,772+
- Customer Insight Manager · Home Office · £41,750+
- Project Manager External Funding · Forestry Commission · £40,388
- QAT Analyst · HM Revenue and Customs · £37,682+
- Test Engineer (£39,163) · Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency · £39,163