The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:
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a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and cover letter of up to 1250 words. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the person specification section above
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a 60 minute video interview
After submitting the first stage of your application (the Eligibility Form), you will be invited to complete the Civil Service Verbal Test.Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
If you achieve the required standard, you will be invited to complete the final section of the application form. The deadline for the Verbal Test is 11:55pm on Tuesday 15 September 2026.
Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.
In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is:
- demonstrable experience delivering high-quality, detailed cyber security risk assessments and assurance in large, fast moving, complex digital environments, ideally government or critical infrastructure.
If you have any questions about this role, please contact the hiring manager, Rob Nicholson-Bates at [email protected]
In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. Well be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.
For this role well be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:
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changing and improving
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seeing the bigger picture
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communicating and influencing
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working at pace
Well also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Government Security Professions Cyber Security Risk Manager Principal Professional Career framework (see pages 122-125 inclusive) for the Cyber Security Governance and Risk Management Principal role.
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Information risk assessment & risk management
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Applied security capability
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Protective security
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Threat understanding
Want to know more about who Government Digital and Data are? Click Here
Recruitment Timeline
Sift completion: 23rd September
Panel interviews: From 30th September
Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
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 D&I Strategy.
Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.
For meaningful checks to be carried out, you will need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time, to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. Whilst a lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance, and expectation of UK residency may range from 3 to 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements needed for the role may result in the withdrawal of provisional jobs offers.
Sponsorship
DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
