Skip to content

General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £42,914 - £46,182, London salary range is £49,325 - £53,081. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
08-Jun-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
17884

Descriptions & requirements

Job description
Security Risk and Assurance Lead (SEO)

The MoJ Information Security Team sits at the heart of the Ministry of Justice, enabling good security practices through the provision of security policies, guidance and education, by understanding cyber security risks from all parts of the Ministry of Justice and providing assurance to the departmental SIRO, the Permanent Secretary and other senior stakeholders that these risks are being effectively managed in the delivery of MoJ objectives.

The role of the Security Risk and Assurance Lead is to lead the programme of cyber security assurance for their assigned area of the organisation, highlighting non-compliance with required standards and providing appropriate challenge to the owners of cyber security risks arising from control gaps. 

The Security Risk and Assurance Lead may also mentor and support others in good risk management practices to enable them to manage residual risk well, identify trends resulting from risk and assurance activities and use these to initiate and lead improvements to processes, policies and guidance, and own the resolution of tactical requests to the team.

All members of the team are expected to help develop the MoJ Security Function as a centre of excellence for the department and to contribute to building a brilliant and diverse team that is a welcoming place for all.

Typical role expectations and responsibilities

  • Lead the security Incident Management Improvement Project (e.g., ServiceNow reporting form, process implementation and continuous improvements across MoJ, lessons learned, education, training).
  • Provide line management, including setting objectives, supporting development and wellbeing, and managing performance in line with MoJ policies.
  • Conduct assurance investigations on MoJ systems to identify potential issues.
  • Lead the implementation and delivery of security assurance processes, including GovAssure and supplier assurance activities for their assigned area, to support the overarching assurance programme.
  • Lead on the communication of assessment and assurance outcomes to stakeholders in ways that support effective security, risk management and decision-making, and advise stakeholders on their approach to risk assessment in the context of their business outcomes.
  • Play a leading role working with Justice Digital and Information Assurance colleagues (or supervise third party suppliers) to gather evidence of the performance of technical services and organisational processes against security baselines, controls and requirements, using key performance indicators.
  • Analyse relevant data to provide an informed opinion on the quality of evidence provided and effectiveness of controls in place, with a focus on business-critical services and associated operational areas.
  • Identify and report on trends arising from assurance assessments in their assigned area of the organisation and make sure appropriate remediation plans are in place and being actively managed.
  • Lead on ensuring that Cyber Security risks for the business area are appropriately documented and reflect outcomes of the assurance work to enable senior stakeholders to make appropriate evidence-based decisions.
  • Align risk decisions and advice with relevant regulation, policy and standards to provide proportional, practical advice that is tailored to the local environment, and advise on any residual risk.
  • Escalate risks to more senior stakeholders when needed and take responsibility for closure of follow up actions.
  • Provide input into the development and enablement of security policy and security culture by collaborating with the Security Policy, Culture, Awareness and Education team through insights on trends identified from security assurance activities.
  • Assure the ongoing appropriateness of policy in accordance with regulation and wider departmental and government policies.
  • Lead risk-related work and enable compliance and governance.
  • Play a leading role in building the network of security partners across government and national technical authorities, and within industry.
  • Contribute to submissions and reports for senior MoJ officials and play a leading role in efforts needed to respond to requests and advisories received from government partners.
  • Monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of security processes across the organisation, and lead continuous improvement efforts, including improving methods of escalation or reporting where necessary.

About you:

You will need experience of working well within a security, technology or risk team, and preferably be able to demonstrate successful prior experience of leading, mentoring and motivating a small team. You will be able to demonstrate examples of your own motivation to grow your leadership and management skills and abilities.

You will demonstrate an understanding of cyber security and technology, showing willingness to continue to grow your awareness of current and emerging technologies and their impact on existing security practices.
You will be able to communicate well and confidently with a variety of stakeholders, up to board level, and relay technical information to a non-technical audience.

You will possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, adopting a positive approach and displaying flexibility of mind when encountering new situations. 

You will display attention to detail and discretion in dealing with confidential topics and senior stakeholders.

You will have experience of, or a strong interest in, emerging technologies and their security implications, including artificial intelligence (AI), post-quantum cryptography/computing, and cloud concepts (for example shared responsibility models, identity and access management, and secure-by-design cloud services).

You will need to be analytical and inquisitive, probing for information where appropriate to understand business context and reasoning. You will be a trusted partner for your areas of the organisation and demonstrate an understanding of how to appropriately challenge security decisions, including those made by senior stakeholders.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
  • Leadership
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Seeing the bigger picture
  • Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We may assess your current level of knowledge of cyber security and risk management during the selection process.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

Diversity & 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.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • 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 (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.


Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 17884

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 17884

Allowance

This role aligns against the Cyber Security Risk Manager role at Lead level as defined by the Government Security Profession framework. 

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Please tailor your statement of suitability for this role to your experience relevant to the job description.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
We hope to commence interviews week commencing 22/06/2026
Behaviours
Leadership
Delivering at Pace
Making Effective Decisions
Seeing the Big Picture
Communicating and Influencing
Level of security checks required
DBS Basic
Security Clearance (SC)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.