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Job description

Thank you for your interest in joining us as a Digital Cyber Security Leader within the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS). There has never been a more exciting time to become a digital leader in cyber security within government. As we harness the power of technology to transform the way we serve the people of Northern Ireland, your leadership will be pivotal in safeguarding the digital future of our public services. By joining the NICS, you will be at the forefront of our digital revolution, helping to ensure that public services are not only more efficient and accessible, but also remain secure and resilient in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Your expertise will underpin the trust and confidence our citizens place in government services, as you play a key role in protecting sensitive information and building robust cyber defences that stand up to modern threats. We are searching for dynamic, leaders those who can energise teams, inspire innovation, and bring new perspectives to complex challenges. This is your chance to make a real and lasting impact, collaborating with colleagues across government, shaping the future of digital security, and championing a user-centred approach to service delivery. You will work at the heart of government, influencing policy and strategy while nurturing a culture of security and agility. If you are passionate about technology and cyber security, driven by the desire to serve the public, and ready to lead transformative change at a senior level, then we would be delighted to hear from you. I hope this booklet gives you a clear understanding of what we are looking for, what you can expect from the role, and how you can make a real difference. We look forward to welcoming talented, forward-thinking leaders who will help shape the future of secure digital government in Northern Ireland.

Responsibilities

• Contributing to the strategic direction of the organisation and the wider NICS.
• Representing the department at relevant cyber security forums influencing senior policy officials.
• Leading and overseeing the development and maintenance of cyber security resilience and assurance services to meet customer and business requirements.
• Contributing to cyber security guidance and policy formation and application, assessing the impact of legislation and/or changes required.
• Developing long-term strategic relationships with customers, partners, industry leaders and other government and public sector bodies.
• Setting the strategic direction of cyber security within their department.
• Please see the Candidate Information Booklet for further information.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• All applicants must meet either eligibility criterion 1 (both parts), or 2, as below: 1a) At least a level 4 qualification in Computing, Software Engineering, or other discipline relevant to Information Systems and Information Technology.
• (Only those courses where a computing content of 50% or more can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the panel will be considered relevant); AND
• 1b) Five years’ post qualification experience leveraging ICT to drive organisational success, with cyber security embedded as a key enabling factor throughout. (This would involve demonstrating...cont
• Knowledge and experience of the key business drivers affecting the organisation, identifying opportunities, and implementing Information Technology led interventions to deliver service improvements and business benefits). OR
• 2) Seven years’ experience leveraging ICT to drive organisational success, with cyber security embedded as a key enabling factor throughout. (This would involve demonstrating knowledge and experience of the key business drivers affecting...cont
• The organisation, identifying opportunities, and implementing Information Technology led interventions to deliver service improvements and business benefits).
• In addition to meeting eligibility criterion 1 or 2, applicants must also meet eligibility criteria 3, 4 and 5, as below:
• 3) 2 years’ experience of delivering substantial cyber security resilience and / or assurance services (i) in collaboration with external strategic partners. Please refer to page 15 of the Candidate Information Booklet. AND
• 4) 2 years’ experience of successfully developing and delivering a significant IT project or programme (ii) which enhanced the cyber resilience of your organisation Please refer to page 15 of the Candidate Information Booklet. AND
• 5) 2 years senior management level (ii) experience delivering business objectives in a cyber security resilience or assurance environment. Please refer to page 15 of the Candidate Information Booklet.

Desirable Skills

• Should it be necessary to shortlist candidates to go forward to interview after an eligibility sift, the panel will conduct an objective evaluation of the information provided in response to Criterion 4: 2 years’ experience of successfully...Cont
• Developing and delivering a significant IT project or programme(ii) which enhanced the cyber resilience of your organisation. This will be completed on a scored basis, and the highest scoring applicants will proceed to interview.

Further Information

NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Monday 10th August 2026 at 12 noon. Applications from females, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer. All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

Application Information

Visit the recruitment service website www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk (Please quote reference number: IRC325098)