DWI Principal Inspector – Cyber Security Vacancy

Ref: 97662 – Principal Inspector – Cyber Security (Grade 7) £52,289 – £60,188

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) is seeking a talented individual with the management skills necessary to ensure that that drinking water companies take appropriate and proportional technical and organisational measures to manage risks posed to both the security of their network and information systems (used in the production or treatment of drinking water) as well as physical security of assets on which their essential service (drinking water) relies.

The Principal Inspector (PI) will manage a small team of Inspectors and the whole regulatory process of ensuring all 18 designated water companies across England and Wales comply with the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018 and the Security and Emergency Measures Direction 1998. The regulatory process requires the detailed understanding of significant complex operational dynamic systems which control the production of safe drinking water over multiple operational sites for up to several million consumers at all times.

The role will be to develop the internal processes and delivery of the regulations to effectively monitor, and if necessary, to enforce, how water companies are complying with the complex regulatory requirements. Specialist expert advice may be sought by water companies, which will require additional interpersonal skills from the PI to guide companies and yet leave the company to make its own decisions. Management support and leadership will be required from the PI for the small team of Inspectors evaluating technical information about the operation and monitoring of network information systems (Information Technology and Operational Technology) for the production and continuous supply of drinking water.

Apart from the inward focused responsibility of ensuring the water industry are complaint with regulations, the PI also has outward facing responsibilities of engaging with other Competent Authorities, advisory Government departments, Defra security and occasionally senior Defra staff. The role here would be either to receive knowledge or advice regarding security issues (and then to decide on any required action), or to inform or make recommendations for strategy.

In addition, Principal Inspectors form the Management Team for the day to day activities of the whole Drinking Water Inspectorate. The PI (Cyber Security) will fulfil these duties, which includes appraising the Management Team of activity and developments within the NIS and security areas. The Management Team support the activity areas and so there will be an expectation that the NIS PI has a working knowledge of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016.

Candidates are required to have a tertiary level qualification in a subject related to water supply or cyber security. Recognised cyber security qualification (e.g. CISSP, CISM, M. Inst IISP, etc).

Proven experience in cyber security is necessary. Additionally, experience of the water industry and experience of working for a regulator is beneficial.

You should have attained, be working towards or willing to work towards chartership of your professional body.

You will have good IT skills and be well organised. As travelling is an integral part of the job, often to areas not served by public transport, you should have a valid driving licence, although it may be possible to adjust this requirement for those who do not meet the criteria.

DWI is committed to a programme of continuous professional development.

If you would like to be involved in a role that can make a difference to public health and you have the abilities outlined above, they would like to hear from you.

For further information on this vacancy, please contact Suzanne Calmels on 07585 988028 or at: suzanne.calmels@defra.gov.uk.

For further information about the work of the DWI, please visit www.dwi.gov.uk 

You must register and apply online at the Civil Service Jobs website 

Closing date: 28 February 2021 

As an Equal Opportunities employer Defra welcomes applications regardless of gender, race, disability, age, religion, or sexual orientation. We operate a family-friendly policy including flexible working patterns.

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