NCSC Speechwriter and External Affairs Manager

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.

As Speechwriter and External Affairs Manager for the NCSC, you will support the wider Strategic Planning and External Affairs function. This includes:

• Supporting the Head of External Affairs in the delivery of the NCSC's External Affairs strategy, aligned to the overarching communications and organisational strategy, to ensure NCSC engages effectively with government, public and private sector stakeholders ranging from big tech companies and charities, to law enforcement and wider intelligence community colleagues.


• Writing agenda-setting speeches for the CEO and senior NCSC representatives, working with a range of internal stakeholders to ensure speaking engagements and speeches align with the NCSC and wider GCHQ's strategic priorities.


• Building and maintaining effective and proactive relationships with key organisations and teams to support the organisation's objectives.


• Contributing to the development of stakeholder mapping, and development of a detailed two-way engagement plan for each stakeholder group.


• Researching and reporting on opportunities and risks for our relationships with key external stakeholders.


• Contributing to the effective evaluation of activities against the External Affairs Strategy, and assist in the preparation of reports, lessons learned and learning tools for improved delivery.


• Gathering regular feedback, from stakeholders, from a variety of public channels and via direct engagement.


• Assisting in the production of briefings, events and other communications material for key stakeholders to promote better understanding of key issues and initiatives.


• Supporting the External Affairs Manager and the Strategic Planning and Speakers' Officer as required. Working with colleagues across digital, media, advice and guidance, strategic planning and internal communications to ensure communications activity is joined up and messaging is consistent., Building and delivering effective communications strategies, including stakeholder mapping, insight gathering and evaluation.


• Maintaining working level relationships with stakeholders from a wide range of sectors.


• Developing policy-specific knowledge to effectively understand the potential for new and existing stakeholder development.


• Assisting in the production of, and co-ordinating, high-quality presentations, speaking notes and briefing materials for high profile NCSC speakers for conferences, webinars, roundtables etc.


• Championing best practice stakeholder engagement.


• Collaborating with colleagues across the digital content, media, guidance and events teams, and across wider government to gather and share communication activity to ensure alignment and to seek deconfliction where needed.


• Building and maintaining relationships with teams across the organisation to ensure the NCSC continues to land strategic messaging to the right audiences.


• Working closely with colleagues across government to coordinate communications activity.
  
  Speech writing


• Demonstrating excellent oral and written communication skills, which bring together the bigger picture on national and international cyber security issues.


• Staying informed of emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit our work, and may be relevant to include in high-profile, agenda-setting speeches., Experience working in a fast-moving communications environment.


• Experience of speech-writing, or other written communications for public audiences.


• Experience working with a broad set of stakeholders in the public and private sectors.


• An interest in politics and the work of GCHQ/NCSC.


• A great work ethic and commitment to working in a team environment., Seeing the Big Picture (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Seeing the Big Picture)


• Communicating and Influencing (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Communicating and Influencing)


• Working Collaboratively (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Working Together)


• Making Effective Decisions (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Making Effective Decisions)


• Delivering Outcomes (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Delivering at Pace), · Demonstrate the ability to work in a fast-moving, communications environment with tight deadlines - assessed at CV sift.

· Demonstrate the ability to build and maintain relationships with, and map, a broad set of stakeholders in the public and private sectors - assessed at CV sift.
· Demonstrate the ability to write speeches, and other written communications for public audiences - assessed at CV sift.

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.

At NCSC and GCHQ, we are proud of our inclusive and supportive working environment that's designed to encourage open minds and attitudes. As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we are committed to helping you fulfil your potential. With comprehensive training and development opportunities, tailored to your needs and the requirements of your work, we will enable you to flourish in your role and perform to the very best of your abilities.

You'll receive a starting salary of £50,937.

As this role is based in central London, you'll receive an additional £6,250 London Allowance.

Other benefits:


• 25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays


• An environment with flexible working options


• Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme.


• Interest-free season ticket loan


• Cycle to work scheme


• Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)


• Paid parental and adoption leave.


• Excellent pension scheme - Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%