Army – Cryptographic Custodian Officer

The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army.

The primary role of the Field Army is to train, prepare and deploy soldiers for deployment on current and contingent operations. The Army is thinking differently about emerging threats, how to deal with them and both the equipment and personnel that is needed to succeed.

What is Cryptography?

It is the process of hiding or coding information so that only the person a message was intended for can read it. The practice and study of methods for protecting and securing data. Predominantly utilises mathematical techniques to prevent unauthorised access to information whilst allowing defined communities to continue to use that information. The art of cryptography has been used to code messages for thousands of years and continues to be used in bank cards, computer passwords, and ecommerce.

If you want to be a part of this and work within the Civil Service to enable the Army to achieve this, then read on.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Field Army Cryptographic Custodian Officer is in control of the provision, management and control of cryptographic assets in support of the Army Headquarters, Field Army units. Subordinate locations include Upavon, Winterbourne Gunner, and operational training and re-supply.

You will provide whole life accounting of cryptographic assets, in accordance with current MOD policy documents. Plan and assist with audits and inspections of Army cryptographic accounts and ensure the management, accounting, control, and distribution of cryptographic assets complies with current MOD policy documents.

Duties will include :

• Management of MOD Cryptographic Accounts which includes whole-life accounting of Crypto-graphic assets
• Communicating internally and externally with customers and stakeholders
• Delivery of Cryptographic assets within a time frame developing skills to deliver using many different systems for delivery
• Escalating Risks / issues and taking appropriate action
• Maintain delivery and accuracy of Cryptographic assets, which will involve delivery to other locations within the UK and overseas
• Proven ability to priorities urgent and important activities in an ever-changing operating environment
• The upkeep of documentation, databases, forms, and Publications
• There is a monthly “on Call” rota for out of hours responsibility with this post following relevant training and after a successful probation period. Time would be given in Lieu

A full training package will be given to include Crypto Custodian Training. Please note that this is held offsite and is a solid week away within six months of joining the team.

Person specification

The successful candidate will be :

Essential :

Desirable :

This post is open to UK nationals only and you must be willing to obtain Developed Vetting.

Behaviours

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

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form :

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £26,235, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,600 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.  Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work / life balance.

Other benefits for Army civil servants include :

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and / or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.

A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

An opportunity to be considered for Reward and Recognition - £250-£5000 per year.

Please Note : Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https : / / www.childcarechoices.gov.uk / .

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using  Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. (500 - Word count)

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV and Statement of suitability and the following :

At interview, you will be assessed against the following :

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

Applications will be sifted using all elements listed above, but in the event of a high number of applications, a sift will be conducted on the CV and personal statement only.

Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed but these will be held in person. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact : [email protected] .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

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  developed vetting (opens in a new window) .

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .

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

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The  Civil Service Code (opens in a new window)  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 (opens in a new window) .

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 (opens in a new window)  and the  Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the  Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window)  initiative.

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 :

Recruitment team

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address : Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address : Civil Service commission, Room G / 8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email : [email protected].

Attachments

Army Information Opens in new window (pdf, 3932kB)