Security Services Group (SSG) - Deputy Head Operations Director

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

As Head SSG’s lead for operations and delivery you will be responsible for setting strategy for delivering SSG Operations output, Resource Balancing, Policies and Contract Management across multiple functional areas on behalf of Head SSG. You will be the operational delivery policy implementation lead as it relates to delivery of the business, for example working hours, overtime policy, assurance and governance. You are Head SSG’s Advisor for all areas of operational responsibilities responsibility and will represent SSG across a broad functional network at MOD Civil Servant Head and Deputy Head level along with equivalent military grades. You will be required to engage widely across the Security and Infrastructure stakeholder at both Operational, Deputy Head, 1/2* level as well as brief up to Standing Joint Command (SJC) group, wider TLB and Ministerial level as and when required.

As a member of SSG Senior Leadership Team, you will be a key part of the team implementing SSG’s Vision 30 Program and for developing and improving SSG functions within your business area as it relates to People, Technology and Engagement themes. You will provide the SSG ExCo with assurance of your business responsibilities through the calling to account process and ensure SSG ExCo is fully briefed on key risks and opportunities.

You will have an advanced knowledge of Security Services Group protective systems. JSP 440, JSP 850 and wider Government electronic and physical security standards.

Leadership and Management

• Provide leadership for the team/function. Deliver direction, development and support the team, enabling them to deliver departmental goals.
• Maintain and raise standards across all aspects of SSG operational delivery.
• Manage own workload to contribute to SSG outputs.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative and proactive working environment.
• Promote strong working relationships within the Operations Management team and with other teams across SJC, MOD and OGD.
• Promote a strong working relationship with senior levels of management within the MOD and wider Gov estate.
• Provide leadership for stakeholder management and analysis activities for team/function.
• Leading and engaging with important and influential internal and external stakeholders and negotiating key outcomes in support of SSG Operational delivery and future development.
• Primary point of contact for elevation of Ops Delivery issues.
• Provide line management, direction and support to the following:
  • Grade 7 – Southeast and Eastern Region
  • Grade 7 – DNE and Southwest Region
  • Grade 7 – S&NI and Central Region
  • Grade 7 – Overseas, Physical Security and Security Furniture

Operations

• Direct and have a technical input into project design and direction together with ensuring compliance with JSP 440 and wider Government electronic and physical security standards.
• To liaise with SSG Operations Managers in the authorisations process of new projects in respect of financial, technical and resource implications to the business within delegated business limits.
• Oversee the delivery of projects across all regional areas of the business both in the UK and Overseas.
• Chair the Operations Board with Grade7 Operations Manager to manage the direction, output and oversight of all regional areas of the business both in the 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.
• To sit on both Health and Safety (H&S) and Quality Assurance (QA) boards, providing an Operational perspective both in relation to H&S delivery policies and QA policies and procedures.
• Financial Reviews, to work in close co-operation with SSG’s finance department. You will work with SSG Finance and Commercial leads to manage the regular finance and performance reviews and become jointly accountable for SSG’s overall delivery.
• To focus operations requirements into the business continuity and strategic workforce planning cycles, taking into account SSG’s complex activities across the UK and overseas.

Line Management

• On behalf of Head SSG deliver visible and effective strategic leadership of over 100+Crown Servants, across multiple SSG Operational Areas, with SC & DV clearances, delivering across multiple functions to contribute to a business with turnover of c£30M+
• Provide additional line management, direction and support to the following: 4 x Grade 7 Operations Managers
• A key challenge will be the delivery of support to SSG locations and staff that are geographically dispersed through the UK and overseas, providing a 24/7 response to a critical capability.

Clearance

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

Location

Location can be flexible within reason; other SSG-parented locations are acceptable (subject to line manager agreement and site availability/capacity).

Person specification

Essential Skills, Experience, Qualifications, Memberships & Licences

• 3 years’ experience in delivery of electronic security.
• Management of Operational delivery teams specifically Industrial/Technical/Project Management staff
• Experience of high level interactions with both Commercial and Financial departments
• Full UK Driving Licence – post holder is required to travel within the UK and overseas to locations not accessible by public transport.
• BTEC National or Higher National Certificate/Diploma or higher in a relevant subject such as electrical or electronic engineering
• Working knowledge of IDS, VSS, AACS, PIDs and applications.
• 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

• Membership of Engineering Council or Security Institute.
• Experience of SSG Security Systems
• Awareness of Physical Security
• Competency utilising technical drawing packages.

Licences

Full UK Driving Licence – post holder is required to travel within the UK and overseas to locations not accessible by public transport.

Qualifications

BTEC National or Higher National Certificate/Diploma or higher in a relevant subject such as electrical or electronic engineering

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together

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

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

• Electronic Security Installation - Expert
• Physical Security Intsalltion - Awareness

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £72,840, Ministry of Defence contributes £21,101 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.
• Career Development: Benefit from continuous professional development opportunities within the security field, helping you grow and advance your career.
• Equipment: Toolkit, laptop and mobile phone.
• Company Vehicle: You may be provided with a non-liveried company vehicle, eligible for personal use (taxable as a benefit).
• 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.

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. (500 Words)

At application, you will be assessed against your CV, Personal Statement and the following technical skills & behaviours:

• SSG Functional Competence Area 1: Electronic Security Installation – Expert
• SSG Functional Competence Area 2: Physical Security Installation - Awareness
• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

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

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating & Influencing
• Changing & Improving
• Working Together
• SSG Functional Competence Area 1: Electronic Security Installation – Expert
• SSG Functional Competence Area 2: Physical Security Installation - Awareness
• Experience: Discuss your background and its relevance to the role.

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 Face to Face at the Defence Academy, 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.

CANDIDATE INFORMATION

Please read this document prior to completing your application.

Please note: internal candidates must include their staff number when prompted during the application process.

Should you have any queries relating to the vacancy information or sift and interview process, please contact the recruiting line manager using the contact details listed on the vacancy. Please do not direct vacancy related queries to the recruitment team as they will be unable to advise.

FURTHER INFORMATION

CV’s

Should the selection process require a CV, you will be prompted to complete the required criteria during the application process. CV’s sent directly to the recruiting line manager will be deleted immediately to maintain anonymity.

Civil Servants (all grades)

Applicants should monitor their Civil Service Jobs application centre regularly for updates.

Some of MoD’s Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) changed from 3 February 2014. Those TACOS changes applied to Broader Banded and Skill Zone staff who were new recruits to MoD or who were appointed to a post on substantive promotion, progression or advancement. On the same basis, the TACOS for Departmental Retained Grades changed with effect from 01 September 2014.

Applicants should be aware that any move across the Civil Service on or after 5 October 2018 may have implications on an employee’s ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.

Please see link below to Civil Service Recruitment Principles http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/201…

Please see the MOD Privacy notice which informs how we will use your personal data, explains your rights and gives you information you are entitled to under Data Protection legislation.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-privacy-…

Non Civil Servants

All employees joining MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 6-month probation period effective from the employment start date.

COMPLAINTS

Please be aware that the selection and interviewing of applicants is the responsibility of the Recruiting Line Manager (RLM) and not the Defence Business Services (DBS) Resourcing team. DBS does not play any part in the selection and interview process itself.

Therefore, if you wish to discuss your feedback, or you are dissatisfied with your markings, you should in the first instance raise this with the Recruiting Line Manager of the vacancy.

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

FOR EXTERNAL VACANCIES 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

Cabinet Office Fraud Checks

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant whose details are found to be held on the IFD will be refused employment.

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 : Susan Wright, Head of SSG
• Email : Susan.Wright743@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)ARMY Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 273kB)Defence Civil Service Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 43kB)