Army - Northern Ireland Security Guard Service - Civilian Security Officer (Armed)

Job summary

The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 12,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army.

As a key component of the security framework protecting the defence estate across Northern Ireland, this role plays a crucial part in maintaining the safety of personnel, assets and infrastructure. No previous security experience is required as full training will be given for the range of armed security duties. Foundation Training will be provided by means of a full-time non-residential 4 week mandated package at Aldergrove Flying Station covering all key skills including weapon training, radio procedures, access control and incident control. Successful completion of the foundation training will allow officers to take up their appointment offer as a Civilian Security Officer (CSO).

This role is offered on a averaged 37 hour week using a rotating 12 hour shift pattern:
• Two day shifts (0700–1900),
• Two night shifts (1900–0700),
• Followed by four days off.
Within each 10 week cycle, there is also a 2 week period of flexible duty, consisting of a maximum of three duties in one week and four duties in the next.

Due to an ongoing Guarding Review, appointments are currently offered on a fixed-term basis of 18 months with the potential for permanency.

Job description

This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a Civilian Security Officer (Armed) in the Northern Ireland Security Guard Service. Your responsibilities will be as described in this job advert. The reason why you are appointed for a fixed period is due to ongoing Guarding Review. This post will therefore begin on your appointment and end 18 months after that date. You should be aware that when your Fixed-term Appointment at MOD comes to an end, arrangements will be made in line with the FTA policy.

If you are a permanent MoD civil servant and are found successful for an advertised Fixed-term Appointment (FTA) you should move into the post under a Temporary Transfer (for up to a maximum of 23 months). At the end of the posting you will return to your previous MoD Business area. If this posting is at a higher grade, your promotion will be temporary, and you will return to your substantive grade at the end of the Temporary Transfer. If a Temporary Transfer cannot be agreed between all parties then a transfer on an FTA contract is possible, read the FTA and Change of Work Location in the UK policy for further information.

If you are transferring to MoD from another government department (OGD) you should join the MoD on an inward loan. At the end of the loan you will return to your home (OGD) department. If a loan cannot be agreed between all parties then a transfer on an FTA contract is possible, read the FTA policy for further information.

Reporting to the Unit Manager and Shift Supervisor, you will be responsible for maintaining the security, safety and integrity of your assigned site(s). Joining a professional team responsible for providing an armed security presence at designated MOD sites across Northern Ireland. Armed Northern Ireland Security Guard Service (NISGS) Officers play a key role in protecting people, assets and property, maintaining the security of the site, and ensuring effective access control.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide an armed (firearms) security presence to help deter and prevent unauthorised access to MOD establishments.
• Protect personnel, visitors, buildings and equipment from security breaches, damage or harm.
• Carry out access control procedures, identification checks, and patrols (vehicle and foot) in line with MOD security policies and within MOD sites only.
• Respond appropriately to security incidents, alarms or unusual activity, ensuring timely escalation where required.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to maintain a safe, secure and professional environment.
• Operate in accordance with NISGS procedures, statutory requirements and the Civil Service Code.
• Preserve the security of an incident area, ensuring that relevant information or material is safeguarded until handover.
• Operate CCTV and other security systems in line with training and policy.
• Undertake reception and access control duties, including accurate use of the access control system and issuing visitor passes in line with security policy and local procedures..
• Accurately record information in logs, notebooks and electronic systems before the end of each duty period.
• Communicate effectively using radio and telephone, following communication protocols.
• Manage the issue and control of secure keys, key registers and lost property in accordance with procedures.
• Safeguard sensitive information and materials, following MOD information security requirements.
• Use and care for equipment in line with training and equipment care procedures.
• Undertake detached duties at other NISGS locations when operationally required.
• Maintain skills competency level, in accordance with NISGS training programme and MOD mandated training requirements.

Medicals:

• Successful candidates will be expected to pass a medical and audiogram before formal conditional job offers are made.

The offer is conditional on applicants successfully passing the Foundation training package.

Person specification

Essential Skills Required:

• Excellent time keeping skills and ability to adapt to changing priorities
• Able to work collaboratively with others to achieve common goals
• Communicate information clearly and effectively, both verbally and written.

The role is important for the maintenance and delivery of security within the defence estate across Northern Ireland and would suit individuals who can both work within a team and have the skills necessary to deliver the responsibilities of the role outlined above.

Essential:

Full UK Cat B Driving Licence as vehicle patrols are part of the job.

Licences

Full UK Cat B Driving Licence as vehicle patrols are part of the job.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,866, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,072 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.
Benefits include:

• Recruitment and Retention Allowance NI entitling staff to an annual benefit of £750 plus upon 1 year of service and additional 37 hours annual leave.
• Staff will also receive Arming Allowance (£636 per annum), Flexible Shift Allowance (4%), Shift Allowance (20%) plus weekend and public holiday Shift Premiums.
• A generous annual leave allowance equivalent to 25 days paid annual leave per year, which increases with each year of service to a maximum of 30 days. Applicants with previous public service may be eligible to a higher starting allowance.
• Highly competitive pension scheme with a 28.97% contribution.
• Personal and professional development of skills.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities

Other benefits may include:

• On site swimming pool, restaurant, coffee shop and gym, depending on location.
• On site free car parking.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

At application stage you will be assessed against the following:

• Civil Service Judgement Test. We use this to give all candidates a fair and consistent opportunity to demonstrate how they would approach common workplace situations, regardless of background, qualifications or previous experience. Only candidates who are successful at the test stage will be invited to complete the remainder of the application. Information, guidance, and a practice test is available here: Preparing for the Civil Service Judgement Test - GOV.UK

You will then be invited to provide examples of how you have demonstrated each of the following behaviours:

• Behaviour - Working Together
• Behaviour - Managing a Quality Service

Where a large number of applications are received, an initial sift will be conducted based on the evidence you provide in support of Working Together.

Your Managing a Quality Service will only be reviewed if you are successful at this initial sift.

At interview stage you will be assessed against the following:

• Behaviour - Managing a Quality Service
• Behaviour - Seeing the Big Picture
• Behaviour - Working Together

Indicative Timeline:

Sift completed by 29 May 26

Driving License Check completed by 12 Jun 26. Those successful at sift will be contacted by e-mail to arrange for a visual confirmation that they have an in date valid photo driving licence and short information brief, not expected to last longer than 15 minutes with the opportunity for candidates to ask questions on the recruitment process.

Interview From 15 Jun 26 To 03 Jul 26. Interview dates are to be confirmed and will be held virtually via TEAMs.

The security clearance process and pre-employment medicals will run concurrently.

Course: We hope to run a Foundation Course in November 2026, with potentially a second course in early 2027 if required. Training package must be attended in full and successfully completed.

We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

Candidates will be required to complete an online Civil Service Judgement test.

The Civil Service Judgement Test is not bankable and therefore must be taken on every vacancy where it is applied.

Should you be invited to complete the online tests, please allow sufficient time to complete the tests and the remainder of the full application form; only candidates who are successful at the test stage will be invited to complete the remainder of the application by clicking ‘Submit Application’. Your application must be completed by 23:55 on the closing date of the vacancy. Late submissions cannot be accepted. The tests are not timed, as they work by giving you harder questions if you answer the previous question correctly, and easier if you get it wrong. You should allow up to an hour for each test, and each test must be completed before you will be invited to complete the second part of your application. Internet access will be required for the duration of the test. Please refer to the attached Candidate Guidance for further information.

Candidates that reach the minimum required pass mark will have their results saved as a banked score against the following tests:

• New Civil Service Verbal Test
• New Civil Service Numerical Test

When a candidate has a banked score they’re not asked to re-take the same test providing it is set at the same level. Scores will be banked for a 6 month period from the date of test completion. If a candidate is invited to take the same test against multiple vacancies, the banked score will be recognised against all vacancies and all active applications will progress.

CSJT scores cannot be banked as each test is generated from the behaviours required for a specific role which will vary between recruitment campaigns.

If you require any particular arrangements (for example due to a disability or health problem) to be made in order for you to complete the online test you MUST contact the DBS Enquiry Centre on 0800 345 7772 BEFORE accessing the online test.

Opening times Mon -Friday 0800- 1600 hrs.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Northern Ireland

For jobs based in Northern Ireland, applications are welcome from all sectors of the community, but members from the Roman Catholic community are particularly welcomed, as this group is currently underrepresented in our workforce.

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Recruitment Team
• Email : 38X-BusMgt-Recruitment@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.

Attachments

EXTERNAL PACK Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)Terms and Conditions of Service Opens in new window (docx, 24kB)Candidate Information updated_ Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)