Network and Security Engineer

Job summary

From healthcare to artificial intelligence, energy to national security, we provide legal advice to government departments on nation-changing subjects.

At Government Legal Department we have a vital, single-minded purpose: to help the Government govern well within the rule of law. This is complemented by our exciting vision to be an outstanding legal organisation, committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism and a brilliant place to work where we can all thrive and fulfill our potential.

Our work touches almost every aspect of public life. We are the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters.

Our respected professionals are involved in everything from regulation and litigation to advice on drafting legislation. They provide expertise to the full range of government departments. We are at the heart of delivering the government’s priorities and our success depends on our people.

GLD is a non-ministerial government department headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary, and employs nearly 4000 people, including nearly 3000 legal professionals. We have offices nationwide, in Bristol, Leeds, inner and outer London and Manchester. Our lawyers can also be located within other departments and overseas.

GLD also depends on a range of cross-functional professionals to provide our corporate services. There are nearly 1000 colleagues playing an essential part in helping GLD to achieve its purpose and truly deliver much more than law.

This is an exciting time to join GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.

To find out more about what we do you can view our introductory film. On our website you can hear from team members, find out how to apply and learn about the benefits of working for GLD. You can also read more about the future vision for GLD in our GLD Strategy 2024 – 2027.

Job description

The Digital, Data and Cyber Division is transforming the way GLD works through modern and secure digital services.

We are building an ever expanding and modern digital workplace that empowers our people, strengthens collaboration and enables the organisation to operate efficiently, securely and sustainably.

Through agile delivery and user-centred approaches, we design and deliver products and services in partnership with the people who use them, ensuring solutions meet real needs and deliver lasting value.

As part of the wider Government Digital and Data profession, we play a key role in transforming how government operates, enabling better outcomes for colleagues, stakeholders and the public we serve.

The Role

We’re building a digital and data-enabled organisation at GLD, using modern technology to deliver secure, reliable and effective services.

As a Network and Security Engineer, reporting to the Network Manager, you’ll play an important part in this transformation. You’ll help ensure our network and security services are secure, resilient and high-performing, supporting critical applications and services used by colleagues across GLD and wider government.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll help maintain and improve GLD’s network infrastructure and security services, including:

• Maintain, support and improve GLD's network and firewall infrastructure, helping ensure services are secure, resilient and highly available.
• Configure and support Cisco and HP networking, firewalls and Microsoft Azure networking services, including VPNs and gateways.
• Support High Availability and Disaster Recovery arrangements for network services.
• Help modernise GLD's infrastructure, including migrating on-premises network services and VLANs to cloud environments.
• Monitor and improve network performance, security and reliability, troubleshooting complex issues where required.
• Use automation and scripting where appropriate to make network administration more efficient and consistent.
• Work with technical and non-technical colleagues to understand requirements and deliver effective network solutions.

How you’ll do it:

You’ll combine your technical network expertise with a collaborative and improvement-focused approach. You’ll:

• Applying your technical expertise to deliver secure, resilient and scalable network solutions.
• Working collaboratively with the Network Manager, Digital colleagues, suppliers and other stakeholders.
• Following security, networking and cloud best practice.
• Taking a proactive approach to identifying risks, resolving problems and improving services.
• Looking for opportunities to automate, simplify and modernise the way network services are managed.

Person specification

Behaviours

As part of the selection process, we’ll assess you against the Success Profile behaviours listed below. You’ll need to demonstrate each behaviour at the application stage, interview stage, or both. You can find guidance on Success Profiles to help you understand what we’ll be looking for.

• Delivering at pace

Key Skills and Experience Essential – Candidates must demonstrate the following key skills at interview and application:

• Networks and firewalls – Extensive hands-on experience of managing enterprise networks and firewalls, including Cisco and HP network switches and Palo Alto and Check Point firewalls, Z-scaler with substantial experience of High Availability (HA) and Disaster Recovery (DR) solutions.
• Azure networking – Strong practical experience of provisioning, configuring and supporting network and firewall services in Microsoft Azure, cloudflare, including VPNs, gateways and Azure networking services.
• Cloud migration – Demonstrable experience of migrating on-premises network infrastructure to cloud environments, including networks and VLANs.
• Stakeholder engagement – Strong communication and requirements-gathering skills, with experience of working effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Automation – Experience of using automation or scripting to improve, streamline and optimise network administration and operational processes.

Technical Professional Skills We’ll be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Network architect - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework role.

Essential – Candidates must demonstrate the following key skills at interview and application:

• IT infrastructure
• System Design
• System integration
• Technical understanding
• Troubleshooting and problem solving

Qualifications Essential – Candidates must demonstrate the following key skills at application:

• Certifications in Cisco, CCNP, CCSP and Azure, Z-scaler, cloudflare or demonstrable experience or similar equivalent held.

Security Clearance Level

All GLD employees must successfully obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance before starting employment. In addition to BPSS all colleagues based in our London offices must hold Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. If London based, you can start your position pending this clearance level, however your continued appointment will be conditional upon obtaining and maintaining CTC clearance.

This role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. You can start employment once BPSS clearance has been completed and while your SC clearance application is being processed; however, obtaining and maintaining SC clearance is a condition of employment. If you are unable to obtain or maintain SC clearance, you may not be able to remain in the role you have been appointed to and this may lead to the termination of your contract or offer of employment.

Current SC clearance requirements typically include a 5-year verifiable UK residency history, with no more than 6 months spent outside the UK in the preceding 12 months. You will be asked to confirm whether you believe you meet these requirements as part of your application. This information will not be used as part of the assessment process.

As security vetting requirements are determined by the relevant vetting authority and may change over time, applicants are encouraged to review the latest UK Security Vetting guidance before applying via United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant Guidance.

If during pre-employment checks it is found that you are unable to gain the required level of security clearance for the role, your provisional offer of employment will be withdrawn.

Sponsorship and Visa Information

GLD may be able to provide Skilled Worker sponsorship where the applicant meets all eligibility criteria under current immigration legislation. GLD does not guarantee that sponsorship will be provided or that an applicant will be granted a Skilled Worker visa.

Candidates with Limited Leave to Remain may apply but must have at least 12 months remaining on an existing visa that permits them to work for GLD when employment begins. Please allow three months for the onboarding process from the point of offer.

Applicants are expected to hold an existing visa with at least 12 months remaining when they start work with GLD. The share code provided for pre-employment checks must relate to the visa that permits the applicant to work for at least 12 months in the role applied for. Outstanding visa applications cannot be taken into account during the recruitment process.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet the sponsorship criteria and for notifying the Resourcing Team at the start of the onboarding process if they require sponsorship. This applies to existing civil servants and external candidates.

Candidates with Indefinite Leave to Remain may apply.

Qualifications

Certifications in Cisco, CCNP, CCSP and Azure, Z-scaler, cloudflare or demonstrable experience or similar equivalent held

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Technical Professional Skills

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £47,850, Government Legal Department contributes £13,862 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).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Benefits of working for the Civil Service

Whatever your role, we’re committed to supporting your career, learning and development. You’ll have opportunities to build your skills, develop your career within GLD and explore opportunities across the wider Civil Service.

As a Civil Service employee, you’ll also have access to a wide range of benefits and development opportunities.

Professional Development

Grow your skills and build your career in digital, data and cyber

Joining GLD’s Digital, Data and Cyber Directorate means becoming part of the wider Government Digital and Data profession, with opportunities to:

• Develop your skills against the relevant Government Digital and Data role and capability standards
• Follow a clear professional pathway and build the skills needed for career progression
• Access role-specific technical learning, professional qualifications and practical development
• Learn through challenging projects, new technologies and multidisciplinary team working
• Connect with professional networks and communities of practice across government
• Benefit from coaching, mentoring, peer support and knowledge-sharing

Find out more at Government Digital and Data profession , Civil Service Careers

Talent and Career Development at GLD

There are opportunities throughout the year to develop your skills, experience and career, including:

• Senior Leaders and Future Leaders Schemes: accelerated development opportunities across the Civil Service.
• Beyond Boundaries: a cross-government development programme supporting the development of knowledge, skills and professional networks.
• Mentoring and coaching: opportunities to learn from others, share knowledge and develop skills and capability.
• Apprenticeships: a range of apprenticeship opportunities across professions, supporting development and career progression

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.

To apply for this post you need to complete the following application on Civil Service Jobs. The deadline for this application is Monday, 23rd November 2026 at 12:00 Midday. You can search for the job using the reference number below.

To apply for this role please complete the following steps.

Application

In your application you will be assessed on the following:

• A CVsetting out your employment history, previous skills and experience, and qualifications, if held. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years, as part of the application form. The CV will be used to assess key skills and experience and technical professional skills as set out in the Person Specification.

CV Guidance for candidates Please find the following guidance on how to populate the three sections of the CV when completing the online application: You will be asked to provide your, employment history, previous skills and experience, and qualifications.

For Employment History – please add your employment history, you can set out the roles you have completed in the past with start to end dates.

For Previous Skills and Experience - please add your experience, skills, achievements, key responsibilities, and any transferable skills you can bring to this role.

For Qualifications – please list the details of your education and qualifications achieved.

Application Errors

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: activecampaigns@governmentlegal.gov.uk. In the subject line of the email please state the vacancy name and reference number as well as the closing date.

Selection Process

After the closing date, the appointing panel shall assess candidates’ suitability for the role based on evidence provided in their application against the criteria outlined in the person specification.

Longlisting

If a high number of applications meet the required standard at sift, a longlist may be used. This means some applications that meet the minimum pass mark but are not initially selected for interview may be placed on hold. If vacancies remain following the initial interviews, applications on the longlist may then be considered for interview.

Interviews

Stage 1 Interview – Technical professional skills assessment​

If you successfully pass the sift you will be invited to an online interview with the panel. You will be asked questions designed to assess the technical professional skills outlined in the person specification​.

Candidates who meet the required standard will progress to the second-stage interview. If you do not meet the required standard for this interview you will not be invited to take part in the second stage interview​.

Stage 2 Interview​

If invited to interview, you will be assessed against the criteria set out in the Person Specification, alongside scenario-based exercises and questions:

• Behaviour: delivering at pace
• Key skills and experience
• Technical professional skills

Interview format

The interview will take place online.

Offer and Reserve Lists

Interview outcomes will be communicated through Civil Service Jobs, with expected timings set out in the campaign timeline. Feedback will only be available following an interview.

Appointments will be made in order of merit. Those who meet the required standard but are not offered a role may be placed on a reserve list and considered for suitable GLD vacancies at the same or a lower grade.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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 : Khurram Shahzad
• Email : Khurram.shahzad@governmentlegal.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : ActiveCampaigns@governmentlegal.gov.uk

Further information

This recruitment campaign will be conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles. If you believe your application has not been handled in accordance with these principles, you can raise a recruitment complaint.
Complaints should be submitted in writing within 30 days of the incident or decision relating to the complaint to recruitment_feedback@governmentlegal.gov.uk.
Please include the job reference number and job title, provide relevant information or evidence to support the complaint. Please use the subject line Recruitment Complaint.

Attachments

490568 - Network and Security Engineer Opens in new window (pdf, 688kB)