Security Services Group (SSG) - Security Manager

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

A newly created role, the Security Manager will form an important part of SSG’s Governance and Assurance function within SSG’s Headquarters.

Working to the SEO Senior Security Manager, this role plays a critical part in contributing to SSG’s systematic, disciplined approach to risk management, control, governance and assurance processes by supporting the operation, evaluation, and continued improvement of SSG’s security compliance in line with GUARDIAN SJC (UK) and wider MOD’s requirements.

This exciting new role will support the SEO Senior Security Manager in administering how SSG’s security is managed across its geographically dispersed estate, cement good practices and deliver the changes required to improve SSG’s security culture.

Key Responsibilities include:

Security

• Support the Senior Security Manager in understanding and managing the security risk to all SSG assets, people, and data; ensuring assets are protected appropriately and within Legislation, Regulation and MOD policy.
• Offer security advice and guidance to SSG’s geographically dispersed personnel.
• Identify areas of improvement of SSG’s security compliance.
• Assist the Senior Security Manager in the development, management and monitoring of the security risks.
• Carry out the necessary activity to support SSG’s internal assurance plan and any future TLB led audits.
• Investigate Security Incidents and Breaches as required.
• Facilitate engagement from GUARDIAN SJC (UK) for this area of responsibility.
• Support the Senior Security Manager on any initiatives and tasks that fall within the security area of responsibility.
• Willingness to undertake the training required to become a STRAPSO Practitioner in order to assist the Senior Security Manager in fulfilling their STRAPSO responsibilities, assisting GUARDIAN SJC (UK) with STRAP/TK Read On and Read Off, liaising with Army PSyA and other MOD and OGD STRAPSO as necessary.
• Manage SSG’s security clearance process for SSG’s Civil Service workforce and contractors, including confirmation of clearances to sites and OGD.
• Support SSG staff in ensuring correct passes are issued for the relevant sites.

Leadership

• Demonstrate a personal commitment to the MOD/GUARDIAN SJC (UK) SSG Principles
• Responsible for enabling Hd SSG and wider HMG to deliver targets and goals both safely and legally.
• Promote strong working relationships both within SSG and wider MOD.

Supporting Organisational Change

• Keep up to date with security standards.
• Support GUARDIAN SJC (UK), SSG and wider MOD Change Programmes and Initiatives.
• Support SSG assurance their continued improvement program.

Other Tasks

• Other tasks as required to support the SEO Senior Security Manager and Governance and Assurance AH in the delivery of Governance and Assurance across SSG.
• Keep up to date with Department and GUARDIAN SJC (UK) policies, processes and best practice.

Person specification

Essential Skills, Experience, Qualifications, Memberships & Licences

• A strong understanding of British, European and UK Government Standards relating to security.
• Excellent communication skill and interpersonal skills: Support complex discussions and process reviews with SSG Ops/HQ Staff and wider stakeholders.
• Be self-motivated and have excellent organisational skills.
• Demonstrate a broad understanding of Security.
• A willingness to learn unfamiliar areas.
• Effective interpretation of policy and legislation.
• Demonstrate a flexible approach to work and a willingness to attend site meetings and other locations when necessary.
• Working within the MOD or similar organisation.
• Working security practice.
• Applicants must hold a Full UK driving licence.
• Applicants must be willing to undertake the training required to become a STRAPSO Practitioner.

Desirable Skills, Experience, Qualifications, Memberships & Licences

• Protective Security & Risk Management (or equivalent).
• STRAPSO.
• Certified Security Management Professional.
• TAVCOM Security Consultancy.

Licences

Full UK Driving Licence

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 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.
• 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 and Experience.

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 Personal Statement (500 Words)

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions

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

• Communicating & Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing & Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture

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 on Microsoft Teams.

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 : Alan McGinley, Senior Security Manager
• Email : alan.mcginley101@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

EXTERNAL PACK Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)Candidate Information updated Opens in new window (docx, 31kB)20240307-ArmyTLBEVP (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 3932kB)