About us
We are a politically led, cross-party organisation that works on behalf of councils to ensure local government has a strong, credible voice with national government. We aim to influence and set the political agenda on the issues that matter to councils, so they are able to deliver local solutions to national problems.
To find out more information about what it’s like to work at the LGA, please visit http://www.local.gov.uk/benefits-and-working-lga and for information on Equality and Diversity at the LGA, please visit https://www.local.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity-lga
Background:
The LGA Cyber Security Programme is now in its 5th year, with the Digital Programme in its 8th. In January 2021, these programmes were merged to form the Cyber, Digital and Technology (CDT) Programme. In FY21/22 the total budget of the CDT programme was c£6M.
The 2021 government Spending Review (SR21) allocated £37.8 million of additional funding to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) over a three-year period. Funding was uplifted to tackle cyber security challenges facing councils and invest in local authority cyber resilience, protecting vital services and data. Together with maintaining the funding that was announced during the 2020 Spending Review (SR20), this brings the total central government funding for Local Government cyber and digital to £85.8 million over the SR21 period.
The CDT team itself is split into four functional areas. These are:
- Cyber 360s - A 360 involves a multi-disciplinary team of LGA officers, council officers and – whilst we grow the sector capability – external experts working with a council to offer a different set of perspectives on a council’s cyber-security culture. This will help councils build cyber capability and capacity and improve the understanding of good cyber security principles across the organisation, not just in IT teams.
- Digital Sector Led Improvement (SLI) - Through the Digital Pathfinders Programme, the Digital Connectivity Programme, and the Local Government Digital Committee (LGDC) stakeholder network, the programme has offered digital improvement support to over 100 councils. The intention is to continue to support councils in FY22/23 through the same or similar initiatives. Digital SLI remains focussed on building the sector’s digital capability.
- Cyber SLI - By delivering cyber security testing to a 10% representative sample of councils we have built a better understanding of levels of vulnerabilities within the sector. This understanding has informed our support offer as we work with partners to deliver a range of guidance, videos, training, and research to ensure cyber security is seen as a whole workforce issue. Many of these projects – and initiatives like them – will continue to be delivered in FY22/23. Cyber SLI remains focussed on building the sector’s cyber capability.
- CDT Improvement Policy - There are a diverse range of CDT related improvement policy initiatives in central government that require our collaborative development and/or engagement. These include: the new Government Cyber Security Strategy, the New National Resilience Strategy, Public Service Network / Future Networks for Government (via Central Digital and Data Office), Digital Identity/Single Sign-On (via GDS), Cyber Security in the Supply Chain, Secure Connected Places, Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework, Telecom Digital Switchover, Ransomware, New Data Protection Regime (Data: A New Direction), Cyber Health Framework for Local Government, a review of the Computer Misuse Act, and the regulation of Online Harms.
The role
This is a part-time 0.6 FTE fixed term contract until 31 March 2023 with the possibility of extension dependent on funding.
As a Senior Technical Advisor within the Cyber, Digital and Technology Team, you will be responsible for providing technical advice to the programme, particularly focused on supporting councils to improve their cyber security. This role will help the LGA with technical oversight of programme delivery, and technical guidance across a range of policy areas affecting councils. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in advising on technical issues relating to Cyber, Digital and Technology, hold a relevant cyber security qualification and work excellently across a range of projects. This is an opportunity to support the delivery of a high-profile programme which is a key priority for central government, councils, and the LGA.
As we encourage flexible working at the LGA, we are happy to discuss the option of a home-based contract. The salary for a home-based worker is from £ 84,096 per annum pro rata or office-based from £ 88,817 per annum pro rate (including London Weighting). The office-based working will be in line with our transitional flexible working policy as we begin to return to the office following COVID-19.
This post is subject to a 25% market value increment which is already included in the above salaries.
Working within the Cyber, Digital and Technology team, your main responsibilities will be to:
- To provide strategic technical advice and support to the Cyber, Digital and Technology team
- To provide technical and strategic support and advice to councils, which enables them to develop their cyber security strategies, and manage cyber security risk.
- To build relationships at a technical level and support the development of digital and cyber networks and partnerships that are of value to the LGA
- To provide briefings to LGA seniors on sensitive and complex issues relating to cyber security and secure digital innovation.
- Support in the technical interpretation of cyber and digital policy and the implications for local government.
- To provide constructive peer-to-peer challenge to councils as part of the Cyber 360 programme. This requires an ability to facilitate technical conversations and exercises and translate technical language in a way that strategic leaders in councils would be able to understand.
- To support the further development of the Cyber 360 programme, using technical understanding, knowledge of local authorities and good cyber security principles, and skills such as advanced learning, development, and coaching techniques.
- To assist senior IT officers within councils to put in place, support and ensure the effective operation of robust cyber security strategies.
The requirements
- Appropriately qualified with Certified Information Security Systems Professional and Certified Information Security Manager, or equivalent.
- An in-depth understanding of cyber security, secure digital innovation and local authorities more broadly.
- Demonstrable and exceptional track record of delivery and performance improvement in a local or central context
- Strong understanding of developing cyber security strategies that balance people, processes, and technology.
- Substantial expertise in providing technical, strategic advice
- Substantial experience in facilitating technical conversations and exercises amongst non-technical audiences with the ability to speak confidently in public and to present complex ideas in a clear and comprehensive way.
- Strong and varied record of achievement in complex technical environments.
- In depth understanding of local and central government, their roles structures and relationships, key government policies and the policy making/legislative process.
- High level interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop positive internal and external relationships.
- A team player willing to work flexibly to meet changing priorities
- Self-motivated and self-supporting, able to prioritise work against competing demands.
You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.
For enquiries contact Jamie Cross, jamie.cross@local.gov.uk
Closing Date: 5pm, Thursday 26 May 2022
Interview Date: Wednesday 08 June 2022
As a Disability Confident Leader, the LGA values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community