Job Description

Details

-----------

Reference number

405115

Salary

42,848
Plus an additional allowance up to 14,552
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

MCA - Information Technology

Type of role

Audit

Risk Management

Security

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

------------

Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

------------


Southampton

About the job

-----------------

Job summary

Can you assess cyber threats, communicate risk clearly to stakeholders, and support effective protective measures?


Do you bring the perfect balance of technical security expertise and collaborative influence to help shape secure, standards-aligned systems in a high-stakes environment?


Would you like to play a key role in protecting national infrastructure and influencing how security is embedded at a blue light organisation?

If so, we are looking for a Cyber Security Specialist

to join us at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and we'd love to hear from you!


The MCA implements the government's maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea.


Safer lives. Safer Ships. Cleaner Seas.


Our vision is to be a world-leading organisation, accelerating the transition to sustainable shipping with non-negotiable safety standards. We put our people, our customers and our planet at the heart of everything we do.


We are committed to giving all our colleagues purpose, professionalism and pride in what we do. We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams.


We want everyone to feel valued and supported to achieve their potential at MCA.


This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks groups covering, Women's, LGBTQI+, Race, Carers, Mental Wellbeing, Veterans Network and volunteer Respect Ambassadors.

Job description

Note:

This is a job description for the role. Whilst all elements in the person specification are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. Please refer to the advert which will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process. Please refer to this document to learn more about the role you are applying for.


We're looking for a Cyber Security Specialist to help shape and deliver our Information Security strategy across a fast-paced, high-impact organisation.


The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is recruiting a

Cyber Security Specialist

to join our Information Security team and help ensure the security, confidentiality, integrity and availability of information, assets, systems and services across the MCA and its suppliers.


This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting the delivery of secure services that protect lives, the environment, and the UK's maritime interests.


As a Cyber Security Specialist, you will:

Embed Secure by Design principles

into projects and operational processes, working closely with internal teams and external partners.

Identify and assess cyber risks

, providing clear, contextualised advice to support informed decision-making and build cyber resilience. Provide

pragmatic and proportionate security guidance

across a range of technical and strategic issues, aligning with organisational and national priorities.

Develop and deliver cyber security training

to raise awareness and support a positive security culture across the agency.

You will be an effective communicator, able to build trusted relationships and influence a wide range of stakeholders. You'll combine strong technical knowledge with a collaborative approach, contributing to a secure, resilient operating environment.


This role offers the opportunity to help embed security in an innovative emergency services organisation where your work helps secure critical systems.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Providing security consultation on projects, strategic programs, and procurement activities, defining cyber and technical controls inline with MCA policy, and ensuring Secure by Design principles are embedded. Providing cyber security consultation within the MCA Change Management process, assessing the potential security impact of proposed changes to digital services and infrastructure to ensure risks are identified, documented, and appropriately mitigated. Leading the security assessment and risk evaluation of SaaS and desktop applications requested by the Business, ensuring alignment with MCA's organisational security standards, ISMS suite, risk appetite and data protection regulations. Work collaboratively with Technical Architecture colleagues, and third parties, to scope security testing for MCA applications and environments.

For further information about the role and responsibilities, please see the attached role profile.

Government Digital and Data Profession Pay Framework


This role is part of the Government Digital and Data profession and utilises an enhanced Capability-Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.


The base pay is 42,848. In addition to this, the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to 14,552.


The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process.


Please note, the new Capability-Based Pay Framework came into effect on 1st August 2024.


Here are more details on the pay framework.

Person specification

About You

You are someone who combines strong technical security expertise with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders, both inside and outside government. You understand that good security isn't just about controls--it's about context.


You can assess cyber risks not just technically, but in terms of the real-world consequences and organisational impacts they present. You excel at communicating those risks in clear, non-technical language, helping others understand the implications of their decisions and the level of risk they may be accepting.


You bring experience in evaluating technical designs, applying protective security principles aligned with government standards, and advising on solutions that are both secure and practical. You support the design and implementation of proportionate controls and contribute to a strong, resilient security posture.


With a natural curiosity and a drive to improve, you stay alert to evolving threats and opportunities--drawing on insight from other government departments, industry forums and wider best practice. You're motivated to share knowledge, identify better ways of working, and help shape the future of cyber resilience at the MCA.


You are someone who builds trusted relationships and collaborates effectively, whether you're working with internal delivery teams, external suppliers, or cross-government security communities. You understand the importance of inclusive, clear communication and are confident in your ability to influence at all levels.

Additional Information

This role will be based in the Southampton HQ (or relevant office). MCA supports flexible working and operates a hybrid working model between home and office for this role, giving you greater flexibility over where and when you work.


The expectation is that you will spend a minimum

60%

of your working time based at your principal workplace

or out on official business

. Details of the arrangement will be discussed further with your line manager.


There may be a requirement for occasional travel on official duty within the UK, which may involve overnight stays. Notice will be given prior to travel.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:


Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:


Security Architecture - Working Level Applied Security Capability - Working Level Information Risk Assessment & Risk Manager - Working Level Protective Security - Working Level Threat Understanding - Working Level

Benefits

------------


Alongside your salary of 42,848, Maritime and Coastguard Agency contributes 12,413 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave). 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday. Access to the staff discount portal. Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department. Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues. 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff. Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Click here to get a copy of the MCA Staff Benefits Brochure


Find out what it's like to work at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Things you need to know

---------------------------

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply

CV

As part of your application, you will be required to submit a CV.


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


Within your CV please demonstrate your knowledge and experience of:

Demonstrates the ability to apply security principles and practices to support the delivery of secure systems and services. Experience in evaluating proposed technical designs for security impacts and providing input to ensure alignment with architectural frameworks and security standards. Experience in identifying and assessing cyber security risks, supports the design and implementation of controls, and communicating risk decisions to stakeholders in a clear, evidence-based manner. Experience of building relationships and influencing stakeholders, working collaboratively and inclusively, sharing information and knowledge to achieve common aims.

To apply for this role, please click on the link to submit your CV:

https://www.triarecruitment.com/jobs/security-specialist-cyber-1360/

Sift and Interview Dates:

The sift is due to take place w/c 28/07/2025

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held w/c 11/08/2025

This interview will be conducted in person at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Headquarters in Southampton. Further details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.


We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.


The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:

An interview. A presentation.
As part of your interview, you will be assessed against Government Security Profession Career Framework.


You're encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.



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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .



See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.



We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
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.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

---------------------------------


This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

#

Job contact :

Name : Greg Swayne Email : Greg.Swayne@Triarecruitment.com
#

Recruitment team

* Email : Greg.Swayne@Triarecruitment.com