Chief Information Security Officer

Job summary

The FCDO, formed from the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development in September 2020, leads the UK's international diplomatic, development, and consular efforts. It employs around 17,000 staff across 180 countries and territories, supported by 12 agencies and public bodies. UK-based staff work in London, East Kilbride, and Milton Keynes.

Our vision for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is to make the UK stronger, safer and more prosperous, by leading and integrating delivery of the Government’s objectives abroad.FCDO is a truly global organisation, with a presence across five continents and partnerships spanning international, regional, national and local levels. We operate at the forefront of some of the most complex global challenges, advancing the United Kingdom’s national interest while contributing to global security and prosperity.

Our ambition is clear: to be recognised as a world leader in the use of technology and data to deliver diplomatic and development outcomes. To achieve this, we are driving one of the most significant and ambitious digital transformation programmes in government becoming faster, more agile, better informed, and more resilient in the face of global disruption.

Job description

This role reports to the Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO) and will be a member of the Digital, Technology and Security Directorate (DTaS) Senior Leadership Team, supporting the CDIO with the collective leadership of the Directorate.

As Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), you will support the safe and secure delivery of UK Foreign Policy and Development aims, playing your part in major global events. You will lead the FCDO’s operational cyber security effort, working with a team of information management and cyber security professionals to provide support, advice, challenge, assurance and continual improvement on information and cyber risk and the protection of FCDO’s data, infrastructure and assets both in the UK and our overseas network.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the function: Provide clear, visible leadership to a diverse, global information and cyber security function of over 60 professionals, fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture and building deep specialist capability across FCDO.

• Set direction and deliver at pace: Define and drive FCDO’s information and cyber security strategy, policy and standards—ensuring they are agile, pragmatic and aligned to organisational priorities, while delivering measurable outcomes in a fast-moving environment.

• Own governance and assurance: Establish and continuously evolve robust security governance, risk and assurance frameworks, ensuring they are effective, proportionate and embedded across the organisation.
• Advise and influence at the highest levels: Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and ministers, communicating complex security risks clearly and enabling informed, timely decision-making by risk owners.

• Drive continuous improvement: Lead ongoing assessment and management of vulnerabilities, ensuring risks are identified, prioritised and mitigated effectively, and that policies and controls remain relevant in a changing threat landscape.

• Enable secure delivery: Develop and deploy clear, practical security guidance that supports colleagues and partners to operate securely across FCDO’s global platform without constraining delivery.

• Build partnerships and networks: Establish strong, enduring relationships across FCDO, UK Government and international partners, strengthening collaboration and sharing best practice on cyber security.

• Represent UK interests globally: Act as a senior ambassador for FCDO and the UK on cyber and information security, promoting, protecting and balancing national interests in international and regional forums.

• Communicate with impact: Engage, influence and negotiate confidently across a wide range of stakeholders and cultural contexts, tailoring messages for local and international audiences.

• Champion organisational capability: Support the development of professional security skills and career pathways within FCDO, ensuring the function continues to evolve as a leading digital, data and technology organisation.

Person specification

Working at FCDO offers a uniquely challenging and rewarding career. We are ambitious to be the world’s leading diplomatic and development organisation driven by impact, delivery and excellence. We are looking for exceptional individuals who thrive in complexity, operate with pace and purpose, and deliver meaningful outcomes in high-profile environments.

We welcome talent from a broad range of backgrounds and value transferable skills. The Essential Criteria to succeed in this role and be selected are:

• Senior leadership and delivery experience
  A strong track record operating at a senior level within complex organisations, spanning risk management, digital transformation and information security. You will have led large, diverse teams through demanding environments motivating people, prioritising effectively and delivering results despite constrained resources. You are a leader first, able to inspire, empower and drive performance across a multidisciplinary function.

• Pragmatic, agile and outcome-focused approach
  The ability to balance risk with delivery, applying sound judgement in fast-paced and evolving contexts. You will understand how to operate within defined parameters while confidently pushing boundaries where appropriate to achieve outcomes.

• Deep understanding of security in context
  Proven ability to interpret complex user, business and technology needs, and translate these into proportionate, practical security advice. You will understand operational security in real-world settings, including supply chain risks, and enable secure solutions rather than constrain delivery.

• Strategy, standards and governance expertise
  Experience of setting organisational direction through the development of policies, standards and frameworks that create secure, resilient and well-governed environments. You will bring strong knowledge of industry best practice and information security management approaches.

• Outstanding communication and influence
  Exceptional ability to communicate complex security and risk concepts clearly and persuasively to a wide range of audiences from technical specialists through to senior leaders and ministers. You will be credible, confident under challenge, and able to tailor your message to context and audience.

• Credible technical grounding
  A strong understanding of security technologies, system architectures and threat landscapes. You will be able to assess vulnerabilities, understand their impact on current and future systems, and engage confidently with technical experts while maintaining focus on leadership and outcomes.

• Analytical strength and problem-solving
  The ability to interpret and connect complex data and information, identify risks and opportunities, and develop clear, evidence-based solutions. You will be comfortable navigating ambiguity, diagnosing issues quickly and shaping effective responses.

• Resilience, accountability and growth mindset
  A driven, motivated individual who takes ownership, follows through on commitments and leads with integrity. You will demonstrate resilience in the face of challenge, continually seek to improve, and actively invest in your own development and that of others.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £81,000, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office contributes £23,465 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Whatever your role, we take your career and development seriously, and want to enable you to build a really successful career with the Department and wider Civil Service. It is crucial that our employees have the right skills to develop their careers and meet the challenges ahead. You’ll benefit from a wide range of training and development opportunities, regular performance and development reviews to ensure this development is ongoing. As a Civil Service employee, you’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits.

This includes:

• 25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service. This is in addition to 9 public and privilege holidays per year;
• A competitive contributory pension scheme that you can enter as soon as you join where we will make a significant contribution to the cost of your pension; where your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken; and where your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire;
• Generous paid maternity and paternity leave which is notably more than the statutory minimum offered by many other employers;
• Interest-free loans allowing you to spread the cost of an annual travel season ticket or a new bicycle;
• The opportunity to use onsite facilities including fitness centres and staff canteens (where applicable); and
• Occupational sick pay.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

How to apply

You must be a British Citizen at the point of application.

The recruitment process is being undertaken by Global Resourcing on behalf of the FCDO. Please submit your full application by email to FCDO-CISO@Global-Resourcing.com by 23.55on Monday 3rd August 2026. Please quote the role title in the subject heading of the email. All applications will be acknowledged and considered by the selection panel.

Your submission should include:

• A CV setting out your educational and professional qualifications and full employment history, including an explanation of any gaps in your employment history.
• A Statement of Suitability (no longer than two pages) explaining your personal skills, qualities, abilities and experience relevant to the requirements of the job in support of your application with particular reference to the Essential Criteria in the Person Specification. It should also describe your vision for the job and how you would propose to approach this if appointed.
• Upon receipt, Global Resourcing will confirm and share a link to an online Diversity Monitoring survey. The FCDO is committed to equal opportunities. Our officers are recruited on merit, through fair and open competition. We seek our strength through diversity and appoint suitably qualified individuals regardless of ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, social backgrounds, age or disability. To help us ensure that our recruitment activity reflects the diversity of British society, we would
  be grateful if you could complete the diversity monitoring form. As part of the application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say'. All monitoring data will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be provided to the selection panel. The information you provide when submitting your application will help us monitor our progress towards
  the Civil Service becoming the most inclusive employer. See the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for more information. All data is reported in an anonymous and aggregate format and will not be seen by anyone assessing your application.

If you wish to speak to a member of the team before submitting an application, please contact FCDO-CISO@Global-Resourcing.com and a member of the Executive search team will contact you.

We want the modern FCDO to reflect the very best of 21st century Britain. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified applicants, irrespective of background or circumstances.

Assessment

• Longlisted candidates will be invited to meet with our advisers at Global Resourcing for a preliminary interview.
• A shortlist of the applications will take place w/c 31 August.
• Across weeks commencing 31st August and 7th September, shortlisted candidates will be asked to Participate in a Staff Engagement panel with a selection of people from across the FCDO and undergo an Alternative Leadership Assessment (ALA) with psychological profiling.
• Take part in a Technical Interview with Global Resourcing. This will be a more in-depth discussion on your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the Essential Criteria, key responsibilities and the accountabilities of the role. A question to guide the discussion will be shared before the Technical Interview.
• Meet with Saheel Sankriwala to learn more about the role. Please note, this is not part of the formal assessment process, and it will not be used to inform the Panel’s decision in any way.
• Final interviews will take place w/c 14th September.
• The interview panel will be chaired by Saheel Sankriwala, Chief Digital & Information Officer. Other Panel members at interview will include but may not be limited to Bella Powell, Government Security Group and Helena Vega-Lozano, FCDO Chief Operating Officer.
• Candidates will be asked to make a Presentation to the panel on Leadership and Inclusion. The question will be provided in advance of the interview.
• The interviews are expected to be held in London, in person. There may be the option to conduct the interview by Microsoft Teams for overseas candidates. If this is preferred, you should make this clear at the application stage.
• Full details will be provided to shortlisted candidates. Recognising that there are a number of steps in the process, we will do our best to arrange the sessions in a way that works for you.
• Please note that references and open-source due diligence checks (including into social media accounts) may be undertaken for all short-listed candidates. Unfortunately, we will not be able to reimburse you for any expenses incurred as part of this recruitment process.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments in order to support disabled job applicants and ensure that you are not disadvantaged in the recruitment and assessment process. Reasonable adjustments could include allowing extra time during selection tests, ensuring that information is provided in an accessible format, or providing training.

If you feel that you may need a reasonable adjustment to be made, or you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail, please contact us in the first instance. If you wish to receive a hard copy of the information, or in an alternative format e.g., Audio, Braille or large font then please contact: FCDO-CISO@Global-Resourcing.com

Further Information

If successful you must hold, or be willing to obtain, security clearance to DV level. All offers of appointment will be subject to achieving DV level clearance. You must have been resident in the UK for five out of the last ten years immediately prior to your application.

Any move to FCDO 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

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences. If there is any evidence of plagiarism, including presenting the ideas and experience of others as your own, your application will be 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 theCivil 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 :

• Name : Global Resourcing
• Email : FCDO-CISO@Global-Resourcing.com

Recruitment team

• Email : FCDO-CISO@Global-Resourcing.com

Further information

The FCDO’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should, in the first instance, contact External.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the FCDO, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners at info@csc.gov.uk

Attachments

FINAL CISO Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 607kB)