JOB SUMMARY

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre for Government, where we are collectively responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital Government. As the Cyber Directorate, our mission is to protect public services and the wider Government from cyber threats, set strategic direction for Government and the public sector on cyber security, finding standards and policies through the Government Cyber Security Standard and the Cyber Policy Handbook.
We assure system and organisation cyber security via initiatives such as GovAssure. Our team leads the operational response to cyber threats, vulnerabilities and incidents through the Government Coordination Centre (GC3) and manages the GCSS Portfolio to implement strategy across central Government and departments.
We recognise that our staff have responsibilities and priorities outside of work so our approach is to work smart so flexible working arrangements are available and we actively promote hybrid working including a combination of time spent in the office with colleagues and days at home where appropriate. We are proud of how our culture embraces a diverse workforce: we come from all walks of life and bring our different backgrounds, cultures, genders, experiences and skills to collaborate as a collective team to deliver more effectively. We commit to supporting and developing our staff to reach their full potential and maximise their contributions. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, religion or sexual orientation.
In June 2025, it was announced that the Government Cyber Directorate will move from the Cabinet Office to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) as a part of a machinery of government change. This change aims to bring together the digital transformation of public services into one central department, presenting exciting opportunities and positioning DSIT to lead the government’s digital agenda.
This role is in scope to formally transfer to DSIT when the machinery of government change takes place. If your start date is on the transfer date, when this is confirmed, you will be appointed direct to DSIT and your appointment will be unaffected by the machinery of government change. We are currently consulting with our Trade Unions on which policies, terms and conditions will apply on transfer. The statement of changes applied to all other Cabinet Office staff will also apply to you if you are successful.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the transformation of Government cyber security, working at the heart of Government.
As the G7 Departmental Funding Lead, you will be sat within the Portfolio Management team and be working closely with partners in the Treasury and across government. You will be responsible for developing and implementing mechanisms to monitor departmental cyber spending, ensuring it remains aligned to the Government Cyber Security Strategy and directed at priority areas. You will be reporting to the Head of Portfolio, managing a small team in this developing capability and will be the first point of contact working across Government on departmental spending including offering support and guidance as needed. and with HMT to track and understand, track and monitor budgets across the cross-government cyber landscape.

DESIRABLE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Portfolio Management - Experience working within Programme or Portfolio Management, with a clear understanding of governance, risk and benefit frameworks. Able to apply funding decisions in line with delivery priorities.
• Understanding of cyber policy, risk and the government cyber transformation landscape
• Familiarity with cyber security issues and cross-government collaboration.
  Level of Security Clearance required: SC

QUALIFICATIONS

A relevant financial/accounting qualification (e.g CCAB, CIMA, CIPFA)

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

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)
• 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

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

You will:

• Work with HMT to develop and implement mechanisms that enhance the protection and tracking of departmental cyber budgets.
• Advise the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) on instances where departments are diverting funding away from agreed priorities, working with the Strategy team as necessary for Ministerial intervention.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of departmental cyber programme delivery, working with in house teams to identify areas of best practice. Working closely with the new business partnering team to ensure join up.
• Provide support and guidance on departmental business cases, working with departmental wide Portfolio offices and in house strategy and funding teams, ensuring alignment with our strategic objectives and central capabilities being delivered
• Communicate changes and proposals to non-technical audiences in a clear and concise way.
• Support and work with the in-house Portfolio team as required to contribute towards the wider financial planning cycle, including strategic finance exercises as surge resource, ensuring the Portfolio is also compliant with wider financial governance and assurance process, supporting any additional financial management as necessary.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as required, including responding to urgent requests or emergent priorities.

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.