Security Services Group (SSG) - AH Technical Director - PSAT and Innovation Lead

Job summary

Security Services Group (SSG) is the MOD’s Technical Authority for electronic and physical security providing in-house expert advice, design, installation and maintenance of electronic and physical security systems across Government, prioritised towards Secret and Above Secret, and items Attractive to Criminal and Terrorist Organisations (ACTO). SSG is part of GUARDIAN and is positioned within Standing Joint Command to support UK homeland security and resilience.

With an FTE of 325, SSG provides technical specialist ‘consultancy’ advice to projects to support the creation of design specifications through to commissioning; project management and delivery with through life maintenance; strategic and tactical compliance assurance reviews and audits across the business; an assured government use only Intruder Detection System built in-house; and security furniture services. Head of SSG is also the MOD’s Head of Specialism for Physical Security across the MOD (part of the Government Security Profession).

SSG’s Operational Delivery teams are the MOD’s specialist in-house security providers, delivering project management, design, installation and 24/7, 365 days a year maintenance of all aspects of electronic and physical security, with a global reach. SSG’s work is independently audited to ensure, ISO 9001:2015 and NSI compliance and accreditation as well as MOD’s own internal compliance regime. To learn more about SSG, visit Security Services Group - GOV.UK

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to work within an established team of security and development specialists, contributing to cutting-edge projects that shape the future of electronic and physical security.

As AH Technical Director – Protective Security Advisory Team (PSAT) and Innovation Team Leader you will be responsible for the provision of support to the Technical Director in SSG, lead PSAT and SSG’s Innovation/Technology initiatives. You will be maintaining and raising engineering standards across all aspects of SSG delivery together with ensuring Operational Delivery output continues to achieve the highest engineering standards whilst ensuring that the work undertaken by both themselves and the wider group is done in a safe, secure and compliant manner meeting all Health & Safety Regulations and Environmental Standards.

The AH Technical Director will support the Production, Development and Support (PDS) teams within SSG which will involve the design, manufacture, production and support of in-house security systems. Together with the Technical Director you will ensure quality standards are adhered to in a safe and compliant manner. Assist the Technical Director in directing the SSG internal Development team in the design on SSG’s next generation security systems. Assist in ensuring that the Support team are operating effectively by confirming that all available communication lines are working effectively.

The AH Technical Director will support the Security Systems Design Team (SSDT) within SSG by providing electronic engineering expertise to ensure high-quality project and programme design, including advice on MoD standardised designs and SSG guidance. They will monitor design application and innovation, promote best practices based on project and industry experience to SSG stakeholders and Operational Delivery Teams, and offer independent technical assurance and advice on Design and Build projects.

The post holder will assist the Technical Director in providing the technical lead with SSG’s Design Office to assist Operations Managers & Team Leaders with design services, guidance and advice for large and/or complex design requests.

AH Technical Director will lead the SSG PSAT Team to ensure a consistent approach to operational delivery outputs. They will be responsible for the provision of independent unbiased technical security advice across the wider Gov estate, MoD and other SSG clients, covering high-level guidance as well as converting user requirements into output specifications and undertaking technical system surveys.

The AH Technical Director will own SSG’s collaboration with other Government agencies to drive innovation and technology as well as seek to work with commercial and industry leads to exploit the latest and emerging technology for use within the government estate together with developing a wider community of interest. Lead the evaluation pipeline for off catalogue products together with industry and academic outreach will be part of the role in ensuring SSG remains at the forward edge of innovation.

Have an advanced knowledge of Security Services Group protective systems, JSP 440, NPSA Guidance and wider Government electronic and physical security standards together with industry standards for security.

This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking team and make a significant impact in a challenging and rewarding role.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Provide leadership for the team/function. Deliver direction, development and support the team, enabling them to deliver departmental goals
• Maintain and raise engineering standards across all aspects of SSG delivery
• Manage own workload to contribute to SSG outputs
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative and proactive working environment
• Promote strong working relationships within PDS, PSAT, SSDT, Operations’ Management team and with other teams across the wider Gov estate and MoD
• Promote strong working relationships with senior levels of management within the MoD and wider Gov estate
• Provide leadership for stakeholder management and analysis activities for team/function
• Leading engagement with important and influential internal and external stakeholders and negotiating key outcomes in support of SSG operational delivery and future development
• Work collaboratively with SSG’s development section to achieve our ambitious technical vision.
• Be responsible for the quality of your work together with working in accordance with procedures, policies and responsibilities common across the engineering industry.
• Working knowledge of British, European and UK Government Standards relating to Security together with knowledge of QA and H&S policies.
• There may be opportunities for overtime, detached duty visits (overnight stays) and travelling time to attend other SSG, MOD and OGD sites as necessary depending on business needs.
• Have a technical input into the future development of SSG’s next in-house Security products
• Oversee the manufacture, production and support of in-house security systems.
• Support and maintain current and future in-house security products through to EOL
• Provide the technical lead with SSG’s Design Office to assist Operations
• Own SSG’s collaboration with other Government agencies to drive innovation
• Seek to work with commercial and industry leads to exploit the latest technology
• The individual will sit on the Operations Board with fellow Operations Managers to assist with the management of technical oversight of all Regional Team Leaders both UK and Overseas
• Will be called upon to liaise directly with customers’ senior management levels to understand and interpret their requirements from a financial and technical perspective
• Support the Technical Director with both H&S and QA boards, providing an Operational perspective both in relation to Health and Safety delivery policies and Quality Assurance policies and procedures.
• Contribute to Business Continuity and Succession Planning
• Reviewing and offering support to develop the following:
  • SSG’s next in-house Security products future development.
  • Future business development.
  • Future innovation and technology.
  • SSG’s contribution to DSR as MoD’s technical and physical Technical Authority.
  • SSG Vision30 key line of activity; People, Technology and Relationships.
  • SSG’s HR offer of Training and Education
• To be responsible for advising future development of:
  • Industry Security Systems future development
  • National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) policy
  • MOD Policies and standards
• Project Management standards, CDM (Construction, Design & Management) and the New Engineering Contract (NEC)

Clearance:

Please note, due to the level of security applications are only accepted from sole UK nationals.

Person specification

Essential Skills, Experience, Qualifications, Memberships & Licences

• Membership of professional body e.g. Security Institute, IET or equivalent.
• Experience of SSG Security Systems
• Engineering Experience, Electrical Electronic
• Experience of delivering Technical operational functionality within Government
• Management within the Electronic and Physical Security Industry
• Management of Operational delivery teams specifically Industrial/Technical/Project Management staff
• Experience of dealing with both Commercial Project and Facilities Management companies
• Experience of Project Management processes (NEC3 and/or CDM)
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Proficient using Microsoft Office software products.
• BTEC National or Higher National Certificate/Diploma or higher in a relevant subject.
• Awareness of IDS, VSS, AACS, PIDs and applications.
• Awareness of Physical security
• Competency utilising technical drawing packages e.g. AutoCAD, VISIO
• Working knowledge of British, European and UK Government Standards relating to Security together with knowledge of QA and H&S policies.

Desirable Skills, Experience, Qualifications, Memberships & Licences

• ONC/HNC in Electrical or Electronic Engineering or equivalent
• NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Electronic Security Systems (IDS, CCTV, etc) or equivalent
• ONC/OND in Electronic Security Systems (IDS, CCTV, etc) or equivalent
• Association of Project Managers or Prince 2
• CEng Chartered Engineer

Licences

Full UK Driving Licence

Qualifications

BTEC National or Higher National Certificate/Diploma or higher in a relevant subject.

Memberships

Membership of professional body e.g. Security Institute, IET or equivalent.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Electronic Security Installation - Expert
• Assessment, Development and Technical Support - Awareness

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,630, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,854 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).

• Generous Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave increasing by one day per year to a maximum of 30 days after five years of service.
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Career Development: Benefit from continuous professional development opportunities within the security field, helping you grow and advance your career.
• Equipment: Laptop and mobile phone.
• Family Support: Access enhanced parental leave policies to support work-life balance during important life events.
• Exclusive Discounts: Enjoy savings through the Defence Discount Service (fees apply), offerings deals on a range of products and services.
• Health and Wellbeing: Receive Specsavers eye test vouchers and access on-site gym facilities (where available).
• Community and Social Perks: Join the Civil Service Sports Club (CSSC) or the Civil Service Club in London, providing access to a variety of social, cultural, and recreational activities (membership fees apply).
• On-Site Amenities: Many of our locations offer free parking, subsidised canteens, sports and social clubs, and on-site shops for your convenience.
• Inclusive Workplace: Join one of our Diversity and Inclusion Networks. We value diversity and are committed to creating an equal and supportive environment for all.

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, Experience and Technical skills.

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles framework to ensure a fair and comprehensive assessment of candidates. Your suitability for the role will be evaluated based on your experience, skills and demonstration of core behaviours throughout the process.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability in no more than 500 words.

At sift, you will be assessed against the following:

Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical Skills:

• Electronic Securtity Installation - Expert
• Assessment, Development and Technical Support - Awareness

At interview, you will be assessed against the following Behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating & Influencing
• Working Together

What to Expect

The interview will explore both your professional experience and how your behaviours align with the role's requirements, we recommend using the STAR format when answering behaviour questions. Interviews are planned to take place at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham.

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.

There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.

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 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 : Steve Hall, DH Technical Director
• Email : Steve.Hall218@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

20241001_Single Skills Framework SSG v1.0-O Opens in new window (pdf, 141kB)EVP Army TLB Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 3851kB)MOD Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 25kB)