Before You Apply
To work at GCHQ, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.
This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here.
Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.
The role is based in Cheltenham, Central London, or Central Manchester so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application, as we do not offer relocation costs.
Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.
What to Expect
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:
On your application, tell us about why you are suitable for the role and the skills and experience you'll bring within cybersecurity, consultancy, and the CNI (Finance sector). If you don’t have skills or experience in these areas, please tell us how you will develop these, and why you want to work as a Cyber Consultant in PS CNI (up to 1000 words).
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Online Application
- Application sift
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Interview
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If successful, you’ll receive a conditional offer of employment subject to vetting.
Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you to continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.
We’re Disability Confident
GCHQ are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer a person-to-person interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role. This is our ‘Offer of Interview’ (OOI). To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:
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Are able to demonstrate a passion for cybersecurity and risk management.
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Are able to demonstrate a passion to work for NCSC and HMG (His Majesty’s Government) and to develop the security and resilience of the UK’s CNI (Critical National Infrastructure).
- Achieve a Level 2 pass mark for Seeing the Big Picture, Communicating and Influencing, Working Collaboratively and Making Effective Decisions competencies.
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Have previous cybersecurity, consultancy, or policy experience or can demonstrate how you will develop this, and why you want to work as a Cyber Consultant in PS CNI (Private Sector Critical National Infrastructure).
These will be assessed at CV and application sift.
Equal Opportunities
At GCHQ diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website:
The closing date for this role is: 17:00 14th July 2023
Right to Withdraw Statement:
Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.