About Us

GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting‑edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage. At GCHQ you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, is the UK Government’s lead authority on cyber security. The organisation is at the heart of the Government’s cyber security strategy and has the aim of making the UK the safest place to live and work online.

Job Description

As a Cyber Security Consultant, you will play a pivotal role in delivering expert cyber consultancy to critical systems and major projects across government and the wider public sector. You will lead and support large-scale interventions that enhance cyber resilience at a national level, ensuring that the UK’s most vital services are protected against evolving threats.

Establishing strong partnerships with departments and agencies is key to driving meaningful outcomes. You’ll collaborate closely with teams across the NCSC, including technical specialists and incident response teams, to ensure a joined-up and effective approach.

What will the successful candidate be doing

1. Provide expert advice to senior stakeholders, helping them manage cyber risks effectively and embed robust security measures from the outset of major projects.
2. Coordinate and lead efforts across government and sector boundaries to tackle large-scale cyber challenges with internal and external stakeholders.
3. Draw on the full range of NCSC services to offer technical expertise, incident response support, and strategic guidance for customers.
4. Represent the NCSC at forums and events, influencing national cyber policy and championing best practice across sectors.
5. Use customer insights to refine and enhance delivery, ensuring interventions are data-driven, relevant and impactful.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. You’ll join a politically astute, high-performing group of cyber security consultants from a variety of backgrounds, where your ideas will be welcomed and your impact recognised. Hybrid working is well embedded, and you will be expected to travel to London, Cheltenham, and customer sites as needed.

Person Specification

We’re seeking a passionate and skilled professional to join our team. Previous experience in cybersecurity, consultancy, or policy is required, or you must be able to demonstrate how you’ll develop these skills and explain why you want to work as a Cyber Consultant in the Government Team.

The successful applicant will need to have:

• Proven experience in preparing and coordinating briefings for ministers and senior officials, ensuring that complex information is communicated clearly and effectively at the highest levels with strong communication skills and the ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations, delivering results when it matters most and collaborating across diverse sectors and organisational cultures.
• Strong skills in risk management and project oversight, ensuring objectives are met and challenges are addressed proactively.

GCHQ Competencies

The NCSC will assess you against competencies used by the UK Intelligence Community, based on the Civil Service Behaviours. The Level 3 competencies include: Driving Innovation and Change; Communicating and Influencing; Working Collaboratively; Making Effective Decisions; Delivering Outcomes.

Benefits and Rewards

At NCSC and GCHQ, we offer an inclusive and supportive environment with comprehensive training and development opportunities to help you fulfil your potential. The starting salary is £44,044.

Other benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 5 years, plus 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
• Flexible working options
• Performance recognition through our employee scheme
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• On-site facilities such as gym, restaurant and coffee bars (at some locations)
• Paid parental and adoption leave
• Excellent Civil Service pension

Equal Opportunities

We value diversity and inclusion as critical to our mission. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and neurodivergent conditions, including groups that are under-represented in our workforce.

Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website.

Disability Confident

GCHQ is proud to have achieved Leader status within the Disability Confident scheme. We aim to offer an interview to disabled applicants who best meet the essential minimum criteria for this position if practical to do so. The minimum criteria are: demonstrated experience working with external stakeholders; effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to explain technical issues and collaborate with varied teams.

Additional support is available during the recruitment process. See our website for reasonable adjustments we can offer.

What to Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent and merit-based. Stages are: online application, application sift, interview, and conditional offer if successful. You must pass each stage to progress. The process may take 6–9 months including vetting; consider continuing in current employment until you receive a final offer.

Before You Apply

To work at the NCSC, you must be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. Read about eligibility criteria. This role requires Developed Vetting (DV). Find out more about the vetting process.

We have a strict drugs policy; once you start your application you cannot use recreational drugs and must declare any previous drug usage at the relevant stage.

Consider using a separate email address for correspondence with us, and avoid identifying information in the address. The role is based in Manchester, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. We do not offer relocation costs.

Please launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, wait until you visit the UK to apply. Do not discuss your application outside your close circle.

The closing date for this role is 17/09/25 at 23:55.

Right to Withdraw Statement: We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date if a high number of applications are received; apply early to avoid disappointment.