Assistant Operational Security Advisor

Job summary

As an Assistant Operational Security Advisor this role is central to safeguarding COPFS people, assets, and reputation. Acting as deputy to the Operational Security Advisor, you’ll lead on implementing robust security measures, managing sensitive investigations, and responding confidently to staff concerns—from routine queries to critical incidents. You’ll work closely with Police Scotland and other partners to assess risks, counter insider threats, and ensure secure environments across offices and courts. Alongside operational duties, you’ll shape security culture by delivering training, developing e-learning, and driving best practice. With responsibility for vetting processes, audits, and reporting to senior leadership, you’ll play a key part in maintaining trust and resilience within COPFS.

If you enjoy a reactive role where every day offers something different and are able to be proactive and solution focused then this role may suit you.

If you would be interested to learn more about this role, please see the attached application pack for further job details, salary information and assessment guidance.

Job description

As an Assistant Operational Security Advisor (AOSA) with COPFS you will have the responsibility for the personal security of members of staff, provide security solutions for our estate and assets within, while ensuring the organisations reputation is maintained.

You will report directly to the Operational Security Advisor and be expected to assess and escalate risks where necessary.

This role is key within COPFS to allow the effective delivery of justice and safety of our staff.

General responsibilities and duties

• Deliver robust security measures that inspire confidence among staff and the public.
• Work with stakeholders to maintain the safety of COPFS staff and premises.
• Act as the first point of contact for security concerns, providing clear decisions and reassurance.
• Prepare statistics, analyses and reports for the Leadership Board, Operational Security Group (OSG) and other forums as appropriate.
• Keep abreast of security best practice and regulatory changes and update processes accordingly.
• Support the audit of productions, ensuring compliance and integrity.
• Work alongside the Prosecution College to create and update e‑learning modules on security.
• Provide security training/awareness to members of staff.

Role specific responsibilities and duties

• Represent COPFS and deputise for the Operational Security Advisor (OSA) in security matters with partner agencies and members of the public.
• Deputise for the OSA during periods of absence, providing resilience and supporting the Head of Information Governance and Security Assurance Unit(IGSAU),Data Protection Officer (DPO) and other team members when required.
• Investigate internal security matters; monitoring high‑profile cases to ensure organisational integrity is maintained.
• Ensure the timeous processing of applications as part of the National Security Vetting Service; working with COPFS HR to ensure timely clearance for staff.
• Apply sound administration to baseline security checks of offices and assets, and constant monitoring from a central database.
• Undertake proactive and post incident risk assessments to ensure staff are safe and secure wherever their workplace.
• Collaborate with Police Scotland to complete risk assessments on staff members’ homes where their position may attract attention from threat actors providing robust security solutions.
• Support the OSA in collaboration with Law Enforcement Partners to counter insider threats and attempts to infiltrate COPFS premises/systems or compromise staff.
• At the direction of the OSA, conduct internal investigations where there is suspicion of criminality.

Please note these are not exhaustive lists and other duties may be required as appropriate to the role

Person specification

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to be approachable, supportive, and accessible to colleagues, offering expert advice and guidance to help formulate practical solutions that mitigate risk. They will also be able to work independently, effectively managing their workload and prioritising competing demands to meet deadlines.

Please note applicants must be able to demonstrate the below essential criteria:

• Ability to deliver concise written reports and presentations
• Ability to communicate effectively, building relationships confidence and trust with those you work with
• Be skilled in recognising risks, their causes and provide solutions.
• Be the holder of a full UK Driving License .

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,443, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service contributes £11,136 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We offer an excellent range of benefits which include:

• 25 days paid holiday + 11.5 public and privilege holidays (rising to 30 days paid holiday after 4 years).
• Generous Civil Service Pension employer contribution, on average over 28.97% of your pay
• Flexible working hours and family friendly approach to work.
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loans.
• Employee Wellbeing Support with Mental Health First Aiders and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.

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

If you would be interested to learn more about this role, please see the attached application pack for further job details, salary information and assessment guidance.

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.

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.

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).

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
• Email : Recruitment@copfs.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@copfs.gov.uk

Attachments

Application Pack Assistant Operational Security Advisor Opens in new window (docx, 85kB)