Security Services Group (SSG) - Regional Team Leader DNO

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

We are looking for a motivated and passionate professional to join as the Team Leader in the SSG’s Defence Nuclear Organisation support team which has its main offices at Shrivenham, Swindon and the regional office at AWE Aldermaston, Reading.

This is an exciting, interesting, and challenging role managing the SSG’s DNO Team, responsible for the delivery of multiple projects and further developing SSG relationships with DNO/AWE. The position of SSG DNO Team Leader is responsible for guiding and motivating a dedicated team responsible for delivering expert support and guidance on all aspects of security including the installation and maintenance of electronic security systems, ensuring a professional, efficient, and cost-effective service to the customers.

This complex role will require you to manage the team working on a Nuclear Licensed site, set clear expectations, provide support and ensuring effective communication with the team and wider SSG. You will monitor progress and foster a positive and productive work environment. The Team Leader will also act as a bridge between their team and the higher management, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s strategy. This post also provides an opportunity to develop a variety of skills to support future career progression.

The position can be based at AWE Aldermaston or Shrivenham Defence Academy and will predominantly work on UK Government sites within the Reading region.

The applicant must be a UK national and hold a full UK driving licence.

Person specification

Main responsibilities include:

• Manage a skilled team of Project Managers, technical specialists, and subcontractors to deliver key complex security projects on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.
• Responsible for driving your team to embrace new ways of working and seek continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, contractors and key stakeholders.
• Plan and Oversee resources, schedules, and technical documentation competent in the use of software such as MS office 365 including MS Project, P6 Primavera, and AutoCAD.
• Undertake the role of Document Writer / Reviewer with the ability to write and review Project (H&S) documents, MS Project & P6 Primavera Schedules, Technical Documents and Specifications, Drawings, as fitted documentation including the use of AutoCAD (ACAD).
• Undertake complex discussions and negotiations with SSG Project Managers, Site Technical Authority and Client Security Managers for Key Project and Maintenance accounts.
• Responsible for the teams estimating, costing, invoicing, and budget management, delivering timely transparent financial and resource reports to the Operations Manager
• Be able interpret and develop SSG Operations and external client requirements, working to support the team to deliver functional solutions.
• Support the delivery of projects and maintenance across the UK and overseas which will involve periods of detached duty for meeting’s, progress updates and support for installation and commissioning activities.
• Act as the subject matter expert (SME) for electronic security systems, ensuring compliance with British, European, and Government standards together with knowledge of QA and H&S policies.
• Undertake management responsibility for the SSG Offices at Shrivenham, Reading and Overseas.
• Participate in 24/7 on-call rota
• Full functional training will be provided for certain systems to suit the business needs.

Work is predominately at SSG Customer’s sites in the Reading geographic region. Though this may involve regular and frequent periods of detached duty. In addition, the post holder may be required to provide support to other SSG regions as vital in the UK and overseas.

You will be provided with a non-liveried company vehicle to work in your region with optional personal use (eligible for taxable benefit).

Allowances

Where applicable, the following allowances are payable in addition to basic salary:

• Travel time (where travel is external to core hours)
• On-call allowance
• Recall-to-duty allowance
• Environmental (Radiation) allowance
• Travel and subsistence package when working out of your region and overtime

Essential Skills, Experience, Qualifications, Memberships & Licences

• Full UK Driving Licence
• A Recognised, relevant Engineering Apprenticeship and/or Engineering qualifications, i.e. Intruder Detection Systems, Perimeter Intruder Detection Systems, Video Surveillance Systems and Access Control Systems or a recognised project management certification.

Desirable Skills, Experience, Qualifications, Memberships & Licences

• Membership: Engineering Council
• Membership: Security Institute
• Qualification: HNC in Electrical or Electronic Engineering or equivalent
• Qualification: NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Electronic Security Systems (IDS, VSS, etc) or equivalent
• Qualification: ONC/OND in Electronic Security Systems (IDS, VSS, etc) or equivalent
• Qualification: A recognised qualification in Project Management

Clearance

Once onboarded, the successful candidate will be put through the application process to achieve the higher Developed Vetting security clearance level.

Licences

Full UK Driving Licence- is required for this role as individual will be required to visit other sites that are not accessible on public transport.

Qualifications

Engineering Apprenticeship and/or Engineering qualifications, i.e. Intruder Detection Systems, Perimeter Intruder Detection Systems, Video Surveillance Systems and Access Control Systems or a recognised project management certification.

Behaviours

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

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

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

• Leadership
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Electronic Security Installation - Practitioner
• Physical Security Installation - Awareness

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.

• 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: Laptop and mobile phone.
• Company Vehicle: You will 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.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

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. (500 Words)

At application, you will be assessed against your CV, personal Statement and the following Behaviours and Technical Skills:

• Leadership
• Working Together
• SSG Functional Competence Area 1: Electronic Security Installation – Practitioner
• SSG Functional Competence Area 2: Physical Security Installation - Awareness

At interview, you will be assessed against your experience and the following Behaviours and Technical Skill:

• Communicating & Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• SSG Functional Competence Area 1: Electronic Security Installation – Practitioner

What to Expect:

• The interview will explore both your professional experience and how your Behaviours and Technical Skills align with the role's requirements, we recommend using the STAR format when answering Behaviour questions.
• Interviews are planned to take place to Face to Face in Shrivenham.

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.

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

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 Gore, Operations Manager
• Email : Stephen.gore100@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 (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 141kB)20240307-Army Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 3932kB)Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (docx, 31kB)MOD Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)