Head of Security Architecture

Metropolitan Police

Job Title: Head of Security Architecture

Salary: The starting salary is £86,485, which includes allowances totalling £2,841.

The salary is broken down as £83,644 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £92,192. Plus, a location allowance of £1,841 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.

Location: This role will primarily be based at Bow but there will be a need to attend offsite meetings as required by the business. We actively support blended working solutions.

Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT)

DDaT is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working arrangements, including part time working, job share or carers and career break returners. We also support blended working, and the hiring manager will be happy to discuss arrangements for this role.

Policing London is a hugely complex challenge that evolves every day. We are therefore committed to ensuring our staff and officers can develop the right IT skills with a continuous learning culture.

DDaT provides the Met with information and communications technology (ICT) and digital and data services to help frontline officers and staff do their jobs more efficiently, keeping up to speed with developments in technology and make recommendations for new equipment and systems that will help modernise policing.

Job Purpose

This role leads the vision and strategy for Security Architecture within the MPS such that:

• Police officers and staff have access to the business services and can deliver their roles in a digitally enabled police force.
• The MPS and public are confident that the integrity and confidentiality of policing data is maintained in a demanding environment.
• Digital Policing can define and deploy new services, systems and technologies while maintaining a strong security stance.

Working in support of the Head of Cyber Security, the Head of Security Architecture will assist in the definition and evolution of the Security strategy to deliver the MPS Technology Strategy 2020-25.

This will cover at least:

• Leading the definition of security requirements and design as part of a strength-in-depth approach to solution design with data-, application- and infrastructure architecture.
• Leading the definition of cyber security patterns, policies, and standards to shape solution design.
• Deep understanding of security concepts and apply them at a technical level.
• Leading the evolution of security automation and tooling for the MPS
• Leading design of solutions operating at document marking above Official
• Leading the adoption of new approaches to cyber security
• Speaking for Security Architecture in technology governance for a, ensuring that
• Working with national policing and central government agencies on wider cyber security initiatives and challenges

The Head of Security Architecture will lead the technical direction of projects and programmes to deliver new applications and changes to existing services by both direct involvement and by managing work commissioned from suppliers.

The Head of Security Architecture will engage with the whole Enterprise Architecture team to provide consistent design and design governance, with accountability under the Head of Cyber Security.

The post-holder will deliver the security architecture workload with the support of contract security architects within a managed service. They will commission Statements of Work (SOWs) and assure their delivery.

Vetting

This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e level before taking up the post; with a willingness to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) once in post, if required.

Additionally, this material is of particular sensitivity to the UK and its distribution must be restricted to UK nationals. In approved circumstances dual nationals (of which one element is British) may also be granted access. However, in the event that potential conflicts of interest cannot be managed the post holder will not be able to see the intelligence material and will not be able to perform their duties. For the purpose of safeguarding national security and in line with Cabinet Office Policy, supported by Section 82(2) to (4) of the Police Reform Act (2002), applicants who do not hold or acquire Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e OR Developed Vetting (DV) clearance and meet the nationality requirements cannot be offered the post.

How to apply

Click the apply now button below and start your career at the Met. Applications will be via a detailed CV, Personal Statement, and online application form. Your personal statement should outline why you are interested in the role and how your skills and experience demonstrate your suitability for the role. Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability to be 1000 words maximum. Please submit evidence to support your suitability for this role based on the Essential criteria stated. (NB. Please do not attach 2 copies of your CV).

Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on the 14th of June 2024.

Essential For The Role

Essential For the Role, e.g. qualifications, licenses, languages, training

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Essential Criteria

• The successful applicant will have experience of delivering effective security architecture in a high security, high impact environment such as policing, central government, defence, or finance.
• Applicants are expected to have familiarity with and understanding of best practice approaches, methods, and techniques for information security, backed by several years of relevant experience, including at least some experience in a public sector environment. Formal qualifications in the InfoSec Training Paths and Competencies (ITPC) and the TOGAF methodology would be advantageous but are not mandatory.
• The post holder will have experience of technology governance and be expected to both run governance fora and guide programmes to compliance.
• The successful applicant will demonstrate the ability to lead a specialist team. They must show evidence of promoting diversity and inclusion in an enterprise setting.
• The successful applicant will have experience of delivering effective cyber security in a multi-supplier environment.
• A strong candidate will have team leadership experience and a track record of the planning and delivering of security enterprise architecture within the Architecture domain.

The Met is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from ethnic minority groups and females.

As a Disability Confident employer, the Met has committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. If you consider yourself to have access, workplace or reasonable adjustment requirements that need to be accommodated, we ask that you include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence and will not affect any recruitment decisions.