Risk Adviser

Overview

The Cyber, Information and Technology Threats Directorate (CITTD) is an exciting new Directorate. Our role is to understand and counter a range of evolving threats to the UK\’s national security and values. CITTD works to: identify and tackle information threats to National Security; contest hostile state narratives; use targeted campaigns to influence targeted audiences; deter Foreign Information Manipulation and Influence (FIMI) actors; respond to cyber threats and hold malicious cyber actors to account; build cyber capability and shape international rules of the road in cyberspace; cohere and direct cross-government expertise on the implications of Emerging and Disruptive Technology for UK National Security.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and increase risk management best practice, improve coordination across the Directorate, and build risk capacity to manage some of the biggest threats to programming and to support our response to an incident.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Advise programme teams on the related risks identified in the information threats portfolio, including liaison with wider high threat programme leads and with other Integrated Security Fund portfolios.
• Analyse risk trends and risk exposure for seniors to take informed decisions on escalation and mitigation measures.
• Deliver risk reporting on aggregated risk exposure to seniors.
• Develop a clear framework for supporting and managing risk, including high threat risk.
• Advise on risk mitigation and change management, working with Senior Reporting Officers and wider Information Threats and Influence (ITI) leadership to instill the cultural changes necessary to compete successfully against relevant hostile states.
• Lead on developing the messaging, vision and support to Boards in support of the Portfolio Team.
• Deliver risk management training for staff, drawing on expertise to help increase risk management best practices.
• Support capacity building of ITI portfolio programmes on risk, with oversight of risk registers, priority risk tracking, and maintaining risk appetite statements.
• Produce guidance notes on generic risks that will be sent to overseas networks.
• Support the Directorate\’s response to an incident.
• Review all lessons learned papers and ensure recommendations are integrated into future high threat CITTD programme outputs.
• Provide bespoke advice for those where the risks to the security of personnel, IT, implementing partners or our reputation are severe and more complex.
• Work closely with risk leads and experts across and outside FCDO, helping to ensure minimum standards while driving innovation in risk management.
• Build the capacity of our programme managers to understand, manage, mitigate and escalate risk following best practice.

Person Specification

Solid understanding of the principles of risk management and a proven track record of working on risk management.

• Able to make good decisions based on benefit against risk.
• Capable of understanding complex issues quickly and communicating and collaborating to a high standard.
• Able to work with, influence and encourage teams to adapt the way they work and the ability to communicate about risk at all levels and across different constituencies.
• Capable of contributing to multiple projects concurrently with the ability to research, benchmark, scope, design, implement and evaluate project delivery to a high quality and tight deadlines.
• Proactive with a focus on continuous improvement of self and service, and an appetite to simplify processes and improve efficiency.
• Proven track record in making solid risk judgments based on understanding complex geo- and socio-political environments.

Behaviours and Technical Skills

• Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing; Working Together.
• Technical skills: Building Capability and Culture; Analysis and Insight; Stakeholder Management and Understanding the Operating Environment.
• A presentation will test Building Capability and Culture and Stakeholder Management and Understanding the Operating Environment.

Additional Information

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office pursues our national interests and projects the UK\’s role in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK\’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners. We employ more than 17,000 staff in 179 countries and territories, across our diplomatic and development offices worldwide.

Salary and Benefits

£57,500. London based total package for Grade 7 is £62,500 per annum (non-negotiable) including a £5,000 Location Allowance. Milton Keynes total package is £59,250 per annum (non-negotiable) including a £1,750 Location Allowance. East Kilbride total package is £57,500 per annum (non-negotiable).

A Civil Service Pension with employer contribution of 28.97%, 25 days annual leave, 9 public holidays, and learning and development tailored to your role. See the attached candidate pack for further details.

Security and Eligibility

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet security requirements before appointment (developed vetting). Nationality: Open to UK nationals only. Details on vetting charter and baseline personnel security standards are provided in the candidate information.