Senior Information Assurance and Security Manager

Job summary

We are MHCLG Here at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), we work on things that make a real difference to people’s lives. Whether it's through the homes we live in, the work of our local councils, or the communities we’re all part of, our work is at the top of the political agenda. We have ambitious and far-reaching outcomes to achieve this year and, if you’re thinking of joining us, there’s never been a more exciting time.

The postholder will develop the department’s information security maturity, coordinating with stakeholders to support security led discussions from a KIM perspective and help articulate and manage governance boundaries between KIM, Data, Digital and Security functions. The postholder will draft clear guidance and briefings, support audit and assurance activity, and exercise sound judgement to balance governance and operational delivery.

The role will be responsible for overseeing the operation and continuous improvement of the department’s Information Asset Register (IAR) as a core information governance control, ensuring it accurately reflects information assets across their lifecycle, including security, sensitivity, risk and assurance considerations. They will support the embedding of the IAR within the wider information governance framework, supporting the application of UK government obligations and translating policy into practical, workable requirements.

Find out more about our Digital teams and what they are working on through our MHCLG Digital blog. Please note that MHCLG do not offer visa sponsorship and applicants will need a valid visa for the duration of your employment.

Job description

Information Asset Register (IAR) Ownership and Operation

• Lead the development and day to day operation of the Information Asset Register (IAR) as a core information governance control, embedding it into wider departmental governance.

• Communicate clearly with IAOs and their teams about the purpose and nature of information asset registration, advocating for effective information asset management.

• Ensure the IAR accurately reflects information assets across their full lifecycle, including security, sensitivity, risk and assurance considerations.

• Use the IAR proactively to inform and influence information governance, risk and assurance discussions with senior stakeholders, clearly articulating its value and benefits.

Information Security and Governance Leadership

• Lead on KIM’s involvement in wider information security advice, guidance and training, coordinating as needed with stakeholders across the department.

• Build and maintain strong, effective working relationships with colleagues in Security, Cyber, Data, Data Protection and other related teams, working to agree clear governance responsibilities.

• Lead on KIM’s input into policy and guidance relating to sensitive information, including information with a high security classification. This involves occasional accessing higher classification facilities so ability to occasionally attend London office is required.

• Interpret and apply statutory and cross-government information management and security requirements including the Public Records Act and section 46 Code of Practice, data protection legislation and relevant security guidance.

• Develop user-led policy and guidance, balancing KIM requirements with related areas including the Data Catalogue and security controls.

• Exercise sound judgement to balance governance, assurance and operational delivery needs.

• Review breach management processes, working with stakeholders to establish a single clear and simple process for reporting, tracking and managing information breaches.

• Support KIM’s response to information governance and assurance related audit, assurance and compliance activity where information assets or governance controls are in scope.

Person specification

Essential skills

Essential experience

Desirable Experience

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,004, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes £12,747 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• At MHCLG we offer many benefits that range from tailored career pathways and flexible working to MyLifestyle Childcare Voucher and Cycle to Work Schemes. For more information, please click here.

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

Application and Selection
The application process will be split into 2 stages, testing the following Success Profiles:

Behaviours , Experience , Technical

Please ensure your CV does not contain any personally identifiable information.

Note: We do not consider direct CV applications. All applications must be submitted via the provided application link.

Important: Your CV and Cover Letter must be merged into a single document before uploading.

Stage 1: Sift (CV & Cover Letter)

Experience & Technical:

In your CV and covering letter, please include:
a. why you are interested in the role;
b. how you meet the essential skills and experience required

Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors.

Stage 2: Interview

• Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, Working Together

• Technical: Technical questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description.

Sift and Interview Dates

Sifting is envisaged to take place the week commencing 1st June 2026, with interview dates to follow.

Interviews are currently being held remotely via videocall, this could be subject to change.

How We Recruit

Find out everything you need to know before applying here..

• Applying

• Sifting

• Interview

• Interview Results & Feedback

• Reserve List

• Near Miss

• Civil Service Grades

• We are a DCS, RIS & GPTWV employer

• Reasonable Adjustments

How to Apply

What you need to know before applying.

You must review the following information from the MHCLG Career's Site before submitting your application. This step is essential to ensure your eligibility for the role and that your application is completed correctly.

• Security Clearance Requirements

• Civil Service Nationality Requirements

• Right to Work

• Artificial Intelligence

• Civil Service Code and Recruitment Principles

• CV Declaration

• Sponsorships

• Salary and Grade

• Existing Civil Servants

• Conflict of Interest

• Location and Flexible Working

• Fixed Term Contracts

• Internal Fraud Database - Internal Fraud Register

• Appeals and Complaints

• Conflict of Interest

Security Clearance Requirements

National Office: SC

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

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (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

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

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Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Digital Data Jobs
• Email : digitaldatajobs@communities.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : digitaldatajobs@communities.gov.uk