Curriculum Specialist

The post holder will join the new UK College for National Security (CfNS). CfNS is the PM endorsed, National Security Advisor sponsored, learning and development capability to help deliver the Integrated Review. It was announced by Ministers in March 2022, and confirmed as a capability in the 2023 Integrated Review Refresh.

The College will build knowledge, expertise and networks of national security policy makers across the Union - so they can tackle the complex threats the UK faces, and also exploit opportunities. CfNS is supported by multiple departments, intelligence and security agencies and the Devolved Governments. It uniquely operates across all security classifications. The College formally launched in January 2025 and is at the start of pulling together its portfolio. The team is based in locations based across the UK with a mix of national security, project management, and learning and development experience.

The role will involve exciting and creative work on our highest priority, mass learning offer - the National Security Curriculum. Work is already in place to design and pilot a range of courses across the curriculum on priority national security topics such as Serious and Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism, Economic Statecraft and State Threats. The job holder will work closely with the Deputy Head of College and Head of Delivery to review and further develop these materials into engaging and effective courses for our national security community and beyond.

Key Responsibilities:

Be CfNS Academic and Research Liaison: Responsible for cultivating relationships with external providers, universities, and x-government to source, contract (if external), and onboard the right SMEs to support the design, deliver, and facilitate of our learning interventions (from podcasts to practitioner courses). You will work closely with the Commercial Lead to finalise contracts, the Head of Engagement to feed into Communities of Practice, and the Head of Events to coordinate expert delivery.

Act as the Delivery Teams bridge between key leads, including commercial lead (SEO), Events Manager (SEO) and Strategic Engagement Manager (SEO).

Build a network of SMEs x-government and external on a number of national security topics, alongside the confidence in reaching out to this network across multiple grades, including SCS.

Create Community of Practices for each national security topic, working closely with CfNS Head of Engagement.

Develop a bank of facilitators, working closely with the wider National School of government. This bank can then be utilised across our curriculum, working closely with the Head of Events (SEO), and ensure you adhere to due diligence policy.

Working closely with the other Curriculum SEO, support your team on their design of learning products of the national security curriculum. This includes the review of current materials, building upon these to build effective courses.

Line Management of a number of HEOs, and support their Line Management of EO/AO/interns/apprentices.

Driving innovation and diversity in the learning design of modules. Ensuring courses meet the needs of all our student base and are fully accessible. Diversity is at the heart of how we approach and deliver our work.

Working with colleagues to build and act on continuous evaluation of our programmes.

The role requires regular travel to London and other areas of the UK for meetings and pilot of courses.

Experience and Knowledge

Significant knowledge of learning design, and prior experience of designing high quality L&D courses for different learning styles, abilities and accessibility needs in order to achieve organisational goals.

Experience in identifying, sourcing, and securing key individuals (x-gov SMEs, academics/think tanks, and external practitioners) to enrich and deliver high-impact learning interventions.

Strong National Security background, with an understanding of departmental roles within National Security and an understanding of UKs threat landscape, and knowledge of the relevant strategies, including the National Security strategy

Experience in having delegated financial responsibility, and confidence in having commercial conversations, with various stakeholders including having difficult conversations and pushing back where required.

Strong understanding of university offers and others in the National Security space.

Skills

Strong decision-making and communication skills.

Ability to lead a team, working collaboratively to problem-solve and deliver high standards, at pace, whilst ensuring their wellbeing.

Strong organisational skills including the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Ability to manage third-party relationships effectively, ensuring external academics and delivery partners deliver value against contractual agreements.

Project Management experience is desirable but not essential.

Must be willing to undergo SC clearance at first then once in role DV.

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.