Senior Policy Advisor
GCHQ is the United Kingdom's intelligence, security and cyber agency, working to identify, analyse and disrupt threats to the UK.
About Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ)
A UK public body whose statutory function includes foreign-focused signals intelligence. GCHQ uses technical capabilities, analysis and online effects across counter-terrorism, cyber security, serious and organised crime, strategic advantage and support to defence. It has publicly described responsible AI use in its national-security mission.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will lead policy and legislative work, coordinate responses to proposals and advise senior leaders on risks, opportunities and trade-offs. You will build relationships across government, represent organisational interests, lead policy advisors and travel between London and Cheltenham once or twice a month.
Requirements
- Current Civil Servant status with recent UK government department experience
- Existing Developed Vetting clearance
- Experience developing, shaping or influencing policy and legislation through government processes
- Experience leading complex policy work or advising Ministers and senior officials
- Experience working across the UK national security community
- Leadership and team-development experience
- British citizenship or dual British nationality
Responsibilities
- Lead policy and legislative work
- Coordinate responses to policy proposals and bills
- Advise senior leaders on policy developments, risks and trade-offs
- Represent organisational interests in cross-government discussions
- Build relationships with senior stakeholders and national security partners
- Lead and develop a team of policy advisors
- Strengthen long-term policy capability
- Travel between London and Cheltenham as required
Benefits
- Flexible working arrangements including part-time work, compressed hours, job share and flexible start and finish times
- Home working one day per week subject to business need
- 25 days of annual leave rising to 30 days after five years, plus 10.5 public and privilege holidays
- Employee performance recognition scheme
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Pension scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Subsidised gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bar facilities at some locations
- Paid parental and adoption leave
Hiring Process
Initial online application and pre-screening; online Situational Judgement Test; full online application; application sift; face-to-face interview; conditional offer.