Defence Security and Resilience - Function and Profession Lead

Job summary

In Defence Security and Resilience (DSR) we play a critical role ensuring that Defence is secure and resilient now and in the future. We protect what matters most; our
people, our assets, and our information both in the UK and around the world, so that Defence can deliver its most critical outputs safely and with confidence.

Working across Defence, our key role is to stay ahead of the threats and challenges we face.

We provide clear direction and practical guidance to support the Defence enterprise to counter threats and risks and build resilience, drawing on the priorities set out in the National Security Risk Assessment.

In addition, we lead the Security Function, working on behalf of the Defence Chief Security Officer, who serves as the Head of Profession for Security bringing expertise, consistency, and expert leadership to everything we do.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

We are growing our team in DSR and looking for a confident and experienced policy professional to take on a high impact leadership role that will sit in the centre of the directorate. This is a demanding and career enhancing role in a small and friendly environment. Working directly to the Chief of Staff, you will be responsible for a number of functions, including leading policy and governance across DSR and shaping how security and resilience operates across Defence. You will be responsible for reviewing and maintaining core security policies, managing two senior security governance boards, leading assurance reporting and be a key function for managing and developing ministerial and senior leader briefings within DSR.

You will work very closely with senior leaders, contributing to high level decision making, and help drive the direction of security and resilience across Defence.

If you are an experienced policy professional that is confident, organised, and ready to step into a role that matters - this is an opportunity to make a real difference.

DSR SSC Function and Profession Lead will be responsible for:

Line managing HEO SSC Governance and Policy Officer.

Reviewing and managing security and resilience JSPs

Overseeing the administration function of Defence senior security and resilience governance boards.

Acting as the DSR Branch Security Officer (BSO)

Monitoring and evaluating organisational performance including leading: The Security and Resilience Function’s Annual Assurance Report (AAR). The departmental response to Department Security Health Check (DSHC).

Developing and maintaining DSR submission and briefing process for the Directorate.

Drafting SSC submissions and briefings for senior leaders and Ministers

Providing support to DSR SSC Central Office COS and deputise when required.

Additional Information:

This position is advertised as a full-time position. The role requires a minimum of 60% office attendance and is based in MOD Main
Building, London.

There may be occasions when an on-call function is applied to this role which will attract an additional allowance.

This role requires the successful candidate to hold or willing to undertake Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance and STRAP.

Person specification

ESSENTIAL:

A confident policy professional who has excellent experience of managing, reviewing and writing government policies

Experience of drafting and contributing to submissions and briefings to senior leaders and ministers

Exceptional leadership, communication and organisational skills

Ability to work flexibly

Experience of working within a fast paced environments

Experience of working collaboratively across Defence and other Government Departments.

DESIRABLE:

Experience of working closely with Ministerial and senior leader Private Office

Previous experience of BSO roles

Experience of working within highly sensitive environments

Experience of leading governance boards

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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.

Candidates will be required to provide and be assessed against the following:

• CV. Details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.
• Personal Statement. Up to 500 words identifying why you feel you are suitable for the role, what you believe the role requires and what benefits you believe this role will be able to provide you.
• Behaviours:
  • Leadership
  • Changing and Improving
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Seeing the Big Picture

At interview, candidates will be assessed against the following:

• Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

Further information:

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.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into 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.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (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

Open to UK nationals only.

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).

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 : Isabel English
• Email : isabel.english100@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

Defence Security and Resilience - Function and Profession Lead - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK Opens in new window (pdf, 200kB)Candidate Information 2025 Opens in new window (docx, 31kB)MOD Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1563kB)Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 43kB)