Government Security Academy Manager

Job summary

This vacancy is not for participation in the Government Security Academy training programme; it is to join the team who manage and deliver the Academy.

• Are you motivated by helping people develop and perform at their best?
• Do you thrive in fast-paced, collaborative environments where you can bring people together, shape discussions and achieve better outcomes?
• Do you enjoy working with a wide range of people, adapting your approach and adding value in the moment?

The Security Profession and Capability Team accelerates the growth of the government security community. We design and deliver learning, build capability across the profession, and develop talent pipelines including the Government Security Academy.

As a Government Security Academy Manager, you will play a key role in this work. You will combine structured delivery with strong interpersonal judgement, supporting programmes, coordinating activity, and working closely with stakeholders, learners and subject matter experts.

A key part of the role is how you work with others. You will facilitate discussions, encourage participation, and help groups reach clear, practical outcomes. You will engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, building effective relationships and adapting your communication style to suit different audiences and situations.

This role requires someone who is organised and delivery-focused, but equally comfortable thinking on their feet, responding to emerging challenges, and contributing effectively in real time.

We value authentic communication and encourage candidates to bring their own perspective and voice.

Job description

As an HEO Manager, you will work across the team’s end-to-end service, contributing where business need is greatest and taking ownership of defined areas of work.

Our work covers several core areas:

• Capability and Community: Develop and maintain learning resources, professional development opportunities and community forums that support colleagues to build skills and careers.

• Talent and Pipelines: Support early talent programmes including apprenticeships, internships and placements, working with partners to strengthen entry routes into the profession.

• Academy Delivery: Coordinate the planning and delivery of Government Security Academy cohorts, ensuring a high-quality, inclusive and engaging experience for participants.

• Governance and Assurance: Maintain programme controls, manage risks and issues, and ensure delivery aligns to standards and frameworks.

• Stakeholders and Communication: Build effective working relationships, support clear and consistent communications, and represent the team across a range of audiences.

• Data, Insight and Improvement: Use data and feedback to monitor performance, inform decisions, and strengthen delivery over time.

• Resources and Budget: Support planning and tracking of workforce and delivery costs where required.

You will not be expected to deliver all areas at once. Instead, you will take ownership of specific workstreams, delivering to agreed outcomes, working collaboratively with others, and escalating risks or issues where appropriate.

Impact and Opportunity

In this role, you will:

• Shape and support the development of government security talent

• Work with a wide range of stakeholders across government and beyond

• Contribute to innovative approaches to learning and professional development

• Make a meaningful contribution to the capability and resilience of government services

Delivery and Travel Requirements

Please read carefully before applying. These are core requirements of the role.

This role has significant in-person delivery commitments, particularly during Academy delivery periods (currently two 10-week programmes per year). You must be willing and able to meet the following expectations:

• Public speaking and facilitation: You may be expected to facilitate sessions and discussions with groups, adapting your approach to maintain engagement. You must be confident speaking in front of groups and able to step in at short notice to deliver content if trainers or speakers become unavailable.

• Extended delivery days: During Academy delivery, working days can be intensive, requiring sustained focus and resilience in a live delivery environment.

• Frequent UK travel: You will travel regularly to different government sites, managing your time effectively and adapting to changing schedules. Travel may occasionally be arranged at short notice.

• Regular overnight stays: During each 10-week Academy cohort, you should expect multiple overnight stays (typically 2-3 days per week for this period, or more as required), in addition to other ad hoc travel requirements throughout the year.

• On-site delivery commitment: Due to the in-person nature of Academy delivery (typically 2-3 days across the week, or more as required), this role is not suitable for part-time working patterns or contractual homeworkers.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Experience coordinating multi-stage delivery across complex environments, managing competing priorities and multiple workstreams to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.

• Clear and engaging communication, with the ability to adapt your approach for different audiences, facilitate group discussions, and contribute in a way that adds value.

• Strong stakeholder and partnership working, building collaborative relationships across departments and organisations to achieve shared outcomes.

• Sound judgement and evidence-based decision making, including the ability to assess situations, respond in real time, and use data and feedback to drive continuous improvement.

• Experience supporting learning, capability, recruitment or talent programmes, with an understanding of how to engage groups, support development and enable effective knowledge sharing.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

Please tell us about any relevant experience or qualifications you have. This is not essential for the role but may be considered where candidates have the same score at interview.

These might include:

• Professional training or teaching certification(s)

• Project Management qualifications

• Security certifications such as SANS Sec301 Introduction to Cyber Security or CISMP

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,772, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £11,232 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Location

Please note that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, this role will be based at Benton Park View from September 2025, and then at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027.

Applicants should apply for suitable posts where they can travel to and from their home office location daily within a reasonable time.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.

Hybrid Working

This job role is suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

As detailed above, this position requires frequent travel throughout the UK, particularly during the 10-week training delivery periods. You will be expected to work across multiple government sites, with regular overnight stays, to ensure the successful delivery of the programme. While every effort is made to prevent it, on occasion, travel arrangements may change at short notice. Due to the in-person delivery requirements, this role is not suitable for part-time working. Applicants must be fully prepared to meet these commitments before submitting their application.

Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences and the geographical requirements of the business.

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

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and Personal Statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Your application will consist of three parts:

1. A Personal Details application form.

2. CV and Employment History - this should contain your work experience and any skills, qualifications and accomplishments relevant to the jobs you have completed.

3. Personal statement of no more than 1000 words. This statement should be used to provide examples of how you meet the essential criteria.

The sift panel will use the information in your CV, employment history and personal statement to assess your experience, knowledge and skills in line with essential criteria. You will be provided with one combined overall assessment score for both your employment history and Personal Statement.

Interview

If you are successful at sift then you will be progressed to the next stage of selection - the interview. This will include a data analysis and critical thinking exercise which will be shared in advance resulting in a presentation, which you will deliver during your experienced based interview. The exercise, presentation and interview will be carried out via MS Teams and will align with the essential criteria detailed in the Personal Specification within the advert. More detail will be provided when you are invited to interview.

Current Civil Servants (all contract types) will need to ensure that they are still employed as a civil servant at the point of starting in the relevant new post. If their contract ends (e.g. end of FTA contract or resignation) at any point during the recruitment/onboarding process for the advertised role, they will no longer be eligible and may be withdrawn.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available, and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Further Information​

At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

Find out more about working for DWP on theDWP Careers Hub.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:

• If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health).
• If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.

Disability Confident Scheme

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. 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.

Reasonable Adjustments

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 DWPRecruitment.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.

Integrity, plagiarism, Civil Service Principles

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles.

Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words.

Examples of plagiarism can include:

• Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own
• Copying content or answers from an online or published source that is not your own

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.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check will be carried out.

Important

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. If you are a current employee and are successful you must be able to be released from your current post within four weeks.

Those on protected TUPE/ COSoP terms and conditions applying on promotion or voluntary permanent level move will adopt DWP’s Terms and Conditions and this may have a different impact on pay and allowances. Please review this prior to acceptance of a role.

Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions. Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.

Any move to DWP 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 the Childcare Choices Website.

Feedback

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 : dwprecruitment.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

DWP Terms and Conditions January 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 17kB)Success-Profiles-Candidate-Overview-Accessible-Version Opens in new window (docx, 220kB)