Cyber Security Apprentice

Job summary

Right now, within government departments and secure facilities around the world, people are making decisions that protect the UK's interests. They're sharing sensitive intelligence, coordinating responses to emerging threats, and collaborating on work that is imperative to UK interests.

They can do this because of Rosa.

Our work is the foundation for what comes next. The government has committed to a programme that will upgrade Rosa to a modern cloud-first platform. But transformation doesn't happen in a vacuum - it happens because the current service is trusted, reliable, and run by people who understand what government actually needs.

We need your help to deliver Rosa brilliantly today. This is how we earn the right to deliver the next generation capability for working at SECRET. Every improvement we make, every incident we resolve, every user we support builds the credibility and capability that makes transformation possible.

Job description

This role is part of a unique UK Government shared service organization that is revolutionizing the way Government shares and collaborates on some of its most sensitive information. We need to stay ahead of the latest threats, proactively defend our systems and continuously improve our tools, techniques, and processes. We're looking to add great people to our growing team for this genuinely unique opportunity.

The role is based in East Kilbride, near Glasgow and is a key member of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) team.

In this role you will be responsible for:

• Perform initial triage/identification of 'Events of Interest' using the SOC toolset and completing analysis/correlation of 'Events of Interest' to identify incidents.
• Ensuring that all events, events of interest, exceptions & incidents are responded to in accordance with established SOC work instructions, including remedial action/recommendations.
• Cyber incident management, following Playbooks and completing post-incident procedures, producing reports & vulnerability/trending analysis as requested by key stakeholders.
• Providing log analysis to support SOC services (including threat hunting).

Person specification

We are looking for someone with:

Essential

• An active interest in Cyber/Information Security, Threat Intelligence, Software Development, ethical hacking and IT, Good communication skills, utilising multiple methods of communication
• Motivation to learn how systems are secured and protected
• Demonstratable ability to manage competing priorities, stay on top of operational requirements.
• Willingness to learn and develop technical skills.
• Good problem‑solving and communication skills

Desirable

• Basic understanding of IT systems and networking concepts
• Pursuing a cyber security/ IT certification.
• A responsible and ethical approach to handling information

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Developing Self and Others

Technical skills

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

• Threat Understanding
• Cyber Security Operations
• Protective Security

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,500, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office contributes £8,546 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• We understand that people are at the heart of our success. We promote and encourage all our staff to follow continued professional development, offering our staff access to a range of learning and development opportunities
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Inclusive environment were all feel valued and respected
• Generous annual leave

Apprenticeship offer:

• Modern Apprenticeship
• Achieve a Diploma in Digital Technology- Cyber Security SCQF 8 certified by Qualifications Scotland (FKA SQA)
• Dedicated Mentorship: Learn from experienced team members who are committed to your growth.
• Hands-On Experience: Work with diverse technologies and business-critical projects.

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

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

Step 1.

Submit a CV outlining your employment history detailing your responsibilities, skills, accomplishments, plus your qualifications and relevant training. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

Step 2.

A Personal Statement of 500 words explaining how you consider your skills, qualities and experience to evidence your suitability for the role, focusing on the essential skills in the job profile.

These responses along with behaviours and technical skills will be explored further during the interview process for shortlisted candidates.

Step 3.

Additional Eligibility Questions. Answers to these questions will determine if you are eligible to apply.

Applications will be sifted anonymously so please remove any biographical data that would identify you.

As part of the online application process, you will be asked several diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the characteristics, you will have the option to select ‘prefer not to say’. The information you provide when submitting your application will help us monitor the Civil Service commitment to diversity and inclusion. You can refer to the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for more information.

You will receive an acknowledgment of your application through the online process.

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 : RSOBusinessSupport
• Email : RSOBusinessSupport@fcdo.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : RSOBusinessSupport@fcdo.gov.uk

Further information

If you wish to make a complaint you should email HRDirectUK@fcdo.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the FCDO you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

RSO Role Profile AO Cyber Apprentice 2026 Opens in new window (pdf, 200kB)