Government Security Academy - Entry Level Security Professional

Job summary

Please note this role requires you to pass Security Check clearance. For further information, please see the 'security and eligibility' section of the advert.

Do you want a new career where your input really makes a difference? Do you have a passion for learning and love collaborating to deliver things? Do you want to be part of a team that fully supports you on your career path, enhancing your existing skills?

Are you:

• ready to do critically important work that is both interesting and varied?
• seeking a new challenge working at a level of scale and complexity rarely found elsewhere?
• someone who excels at building effective working relationships to solve real world problems?
• a curious person with a willingness to learn new skills, gain professional qualifications and be supported in progressing your career?

The Government Security Profession are looking for highly motivated people with a passion to challenge themselves in a targeted learning environment which will provide training, coaching and experiences aimed at:

• rapidly developing a broad baseline of security knowledge and an understanding of the professional landscape
• growing a range of skills in cyber security
• providing targeted experiential and technical training, all supported by expert coaches and mentors

Job description

The successful candidates will be part of the Government Security Academy, a 10-week immersive training programme, aimed at rapidly developing a baseline of professional knowledge and supporting early development of essential technical cyber security skills, through a blended programme of classroom, online and experiential learning.

During this initial training programme, you will have the opportunity to put your current skills to use, whilst developing new ones - skills unique to the Government Security Profession. You will be supported by a dedicated programme team on your journey, as well as a mentor and a range of subject matter experts, who will help you to progress.

The first part of the programme has been designed to build capability at pace, with lots of support, so that you rapidly increase your understanding and knowledge of the Government Security Profession and the role that cyber security plays in protecting critical national infrastructure. Through this experience, we will introduce you to the variety of roles and career paths available to you as part of the Government Security Profession community.

On completion of the training programme, you will move into one of the roles defined in the Government Security Profession Career Framework, in a priority security team within Government, where you will continue to develop your career. You will have in-role coaching from your line manager and mentor, as well as the Government Security Academy team. As you continue along your career path as a Government Security Professional, you will remain supported on your learning journey, gaining new skills and experiences specific to your role.

DWP deliver the Government Security Academy on behalf of government, therefore permanent roles could be offered within any government department or agency.

Cohorts and training locations
This campaign will recruit to two cohortswith different start dates:

• September 2026: roles based in Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and York, with mandatory face‑to‑face Academy activity in Leeds and, occasionally, other government office locations during the 10-week hybrid training programme.
• January 2027: roles based in London, Milton Keynes, and Nottingham, with mandatory face‑to‑face Academy activity inLondon and, occasionally, other government office locations during the 10-week hybrid training programme.

Telling us your location preference(s)
Successful candidates will be posted to a specific department and location and will have the opportunity to express a location preference as part of the selection process. Please only select locations where you are prepared to work on a permanent basis. Relocation allowance is not provided.

How your cohort will be determined

• Postings will be made in merit order by location; this will be based on business need at the time.
• Because the September 2026 cohort is linked to Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and York and the January 2027 cohort is linked to London, Milton Keynes, and Nottingham, your stated permanent location preference, followed by your merit position, will determine whether any offer is for the September 2026 or January 2027 cohort.
• For roles in the January 2027 cohort, candidates who meet the required standard will be placed on a reserve list until October 2026, at which point provisional offers will be made in merit order by location. (Please note, the full duration of the reserve list is 12 months, the date used is specifically for the January cohort posting.)

Working patterns

Applications are welcome from candidates with alternative working patterns; however, for the duration of the 10-week Government Security Academy, you will be required to work full-time hours to enable you to complete the training programme, with some overnight stays required. Travel costs will be reimbursed in line with departmental policy.

Person specification

Successful candidates for this role will be able to demonstrate the following criteria:

Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development:

• Self-motivated and curious, someone who seeks and acts on feedback to improve performance

Have strong interpersonal skills:

• Able to communicate in an authentic and engaging way to influence colleagues and stakeholders

Be comfortable working in a changing work environment:

• Enjoys working flexibly and has the energy to solve business problems through collaboration with colleagues

Be able to make effective decisions:

• Able to apply reason and make sensible judgements - decisions based on data, evidence, trust and risk

Qualifications

There is no requirement for current qualifications. Successful applicants will receive a comprehensive learning offer and experience. This will be fully supported with in-role coaching and mentoring as you develop your career in the Government Security Profession.

Behaviours

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

• Developing Self and Others
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

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

• Developing Self and Others

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension

Alongside your salary, departments contribute 28.97% towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

A generous amount of annual leave, with a maximum of up to 30 days depending on the department you are employed by and your length in service. In addition, civil servants will receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days bank and public holidays.

Standard promotion rules will apply, and successful candidates will be placed on the pay scale and terms and conditions of the appropriate department. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

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, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

Stage 1: Short application

You will be asked to complete some background information which will include some diversity questions – this is for monitoring purposes only and will have no bearing on selection outcomes.

Stage 2: Online tests

After submitting your basic details, you will be invited to complete the Civil Service Judgement Test and Numeracy Test. Please ensure you complete the online tests as early as possible so that you give yourself time to prepare and submit the statements before the closing date and time. Please note if you encounter any issues with the online tests, you must contact us no later than Friday 24th April 2026 at 3pm. Any queries received after this time may not be acknowledged.

Stage 3: Full application

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a curriculum vitae (CV) including job history and full qualification details, a statement of suitability explaining how you meet the essential criteria and your reasons for applying (no more than 1000 words), and a 250 word statement on the lead behaviour ‘Developing Self and Others’ from Civil Service Success Profiles.

Refer to the Civil Service Success Profiles for more information and guidance. Research the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method to structure your examples.

Stage 4: Assessment centre

If you pass the above stages, you will then be invited to undertake a virtual assessment centre. This online session will last up to two hours and will involve being set a topic for presentation and discussion, with reference material provided. Applicants will be observed and assessed on how they perform during the discussion, how they interact with others, reasoning, judgement, adaptability and their behaviour, as outlined in the Communicating & Influencing Success Profile. Further details will be shared with candidates who are successful in getting to this stage.

Stage 5: Interview

If you pass the assessment centre, you will be invited to the final interview where you will be assessed against the essential criteria as outlined in the advert. You will also be assessed on strength-based questions as part of the interview process.

Indicative dates

Sifting: w/c 27th April

Assessment Centres (presentation & group discussion): 25th May - 5th June

Interviews: 15th June - 3rd July

Important information

No applications will be accepted after the closing date and time.

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised and we reserve the right to do this at all stages. In the event that the online test benchmark is raised, banked scores may no longer meet the required standard. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

Applications will be sifted at regular intervals from the date the posts are advertised, so please apply as soon as you can; do not wait until the end of the campaign. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour Developing Self and Others. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to the next stage.

Due to Civil Service use of anonymised recruitment practices, it is not possible for applicants to upload/attach a CV. Please ensure you provide sufficient information to enable to sift panel to make an informed judgement about your suitability for this role. When entering information relating to your employment history you will be asked to remove any personal details that could be used to identify you. This relates to name and contact details which might usually appear on your CV/cover letter. Failure to do so will result in your application being withdrawn.

Whilst we’ll endeavour not to change the dates listed for recruitment and cohort commencement, they are indicative only and could be subject to change.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made - departments and locations may differ from those advertised.

We are a profession with national coverage, we operate with geographically dispersed teams, and we are committed to working flexibly, so it is possible that travel to other government offices with occasional overnight stays may be required as part of the permanent role offered.

Any move to CPS, DFT, DSIT, DVSA, DWP, FCDO Services, HMRC, HO, Natural England 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.

Learn more

Watch the recorded candidate information session by following this link: Candidate Information Session: YouTube

Hear from previous graduates of the Academy by visiting our LinkedIn page: Government Security Academy: LinkedIn

Read the attached candidate pack, located at the bottom of the advert.

Reasonable adjustment

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service via s3management.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Security and eligibility

Because of the confidential and sometimes top-secret level of information that security professionals handle, it is essential for the successful candidates to undertake Security Check (SC) level security clearance prior to taking up duty. Applicants are required to meet the UK residency requirements so that National Security Vetting (NSV) checks can be conducted. For SC, you must have resided continuously in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years, 2 of which must have been the immediately preceding years from the point of applying for this job. For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following pages: National security vetting: clearance levels (www.gov.uk); Demystifying vetting (www.gov.uk). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

The role you are applying for is covered by Article 3(a) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, consequently Section 4(2) of that Act doesn’t apply. You’re required to disclose all previous convictions and cautions including spent convictions. Failing to make a full declaration will result in withdrawing your offer of employment if our checks reveal convictions that haven’t been disclosed.

Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database checks

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a criminal record check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

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.

Additional nationality requirements

Roles based in Milton Keynes are open to UK nationals only.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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 : Government Security Academy Team
• Email : government.securityacademy@dwp.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : s3management.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: HR.BUSINESSASSURANCE@DWP.GOV.UK.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

GSA Candidate Pack 13 April 26 Opens in new window (pdf, 772kB)