Security Services Group (SSG) - Technical Document Writer

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 withing 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.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

This is an exciting, interesting and challenging role within Government Security at high profile and technically complex Defence sites, other Government Departments and Critical National Infrastructure security programs.

This vacancy is for the role of a (HEO) Technical Document Writer, as part of the new SSG Security Systems Design Team (SSDT).

Key responsibilities include:

• Reporting to the SSDT Team Leader, the role requires a technical awareness in construction and engineering to support our Technical Documentation in SSG to support our design, installation and maintenance of our security systems, including an awareness of MOD JSP standards, SFG20 and SSG design guidance. The review and maintenance of Group Practice Notes and acting to promote good design through application of standards both in the delivery of projects and SSG maintained systems. An awareness of security industry practice and SSG stakeholders and be able to provide support to SSG Operational Delivery Teams. As well as providing assurance and advice on SSG GPN, SFG and MOD JSP Standards.
• Provide customer interface and represent SSG at high level meetings, undertake complex discussions and negotiations with SSG Project Managers, Client Security Authorities and Stakeholders.
• Assist SSG (Operations) Project Managers during various project phases, including compliance with standards, developing ideas, conducting research and helping to ensure projects reference the correct documentation.
• Review and maintain Security System Design Team Technical documentation in conjunction with SSG Operations Project Managers, ensuring all documents correctly referenced.
• Undertake the role of Technical Document Writer with the ability to write and produce detailed Technical Documents, including the use of O365.
• Interpret and develop Technical Documents and SSG Operations needs to support the delivery team to deliver fully functional and integrated security solutions.

Work is predominately at one of SSG’S Office however there will be opportunities to visit various sites across UK geographic regions and potentially overseas. This may involve periods of detached duty to other SSG regions (in the UK/overseas) or be required to stay overnight at sites that are unsuitable distances from home address.

Person specification

Essential Skills, Experience, Qualifications, Memberships & Licences

• Have a working knowledge of British, European and UK Government Standards relating to security together with knowledge of QA and H&S policies to enable the development of Security System Documents.
• Liaise and keep updated with SSG’s products through the SSG’s Production, Development and Support (PDS) Section, leading SSG Security Suppliers and key manufacturers. You should also have a working knowledge of security systems and associated products including areas of business development within the Commercial sector.
• Be able to build relationships and networks with a variety of stakeholders and managers at multiple levels of seniority, and across organisational boundaries, to deliver results.
• Be able to provide Design Team assistance with the ability to write and produce detailed Technical Specifications.
• Have strong interpersonal skills and ability to adapt to a wide range of audiences. Must process excellent communication skills along with a demonstrated knowledge of leadership principles and practices, supervision, training, coaching and mentoring. Have strong motivational skills to encourage and lead staff through periods of organisational change and demanding delivery requirements.
• Experienced in structured programme and contract management, possessing the skills and ability to execute and deliver specific large programmes and high priority work streams.
• Ability to manage and understand a range of varied problems that require working across organisational boundaries, identifying risk mitigation and solutions to requirements.
• A Recognised, relevant Technical Document Writer background, O365 Experience.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable Skills, Experience, Qualifications, Memberships & Licences

• A Recognised, relevant Engineering background, Engineering Apprenticeship and / or Engineering qualifications. NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Electronic Security Systems (IDS, CCTV, etc) or equivalent. ONC/OND in Electronic Security Systems (IDS, CCTV, etc) or equivalent. HNC/HND in Electrical or Electronic Engineering or equivalent. AutoCAD (ACAD)
• Experience of designing and delivering large integrated security projects
• Membership of Engineering Council
• Membership of Security Institute

Licences

Full UK Driving Licence

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

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

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

• Electronic Security Installation - Awareness

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: Brand new toolkit, 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.
• Pension contribution: 28.97%

London locations may attract an allowance of £3,300 per annum.

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.

At Application Stage:

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. (750 words)

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

Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical Skill:

• SSG Functional Competence Area 1: Electronic Security Installation – Awareness
• SSG Functional Competence Area 3: Assessment, Development and Technical Support - Awareness

At Interview Stage:

You will be assessed against the following:

• Experience: Discuss your background and its relevance to the role.

Behaviours:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Technical Skills:

• SSG Functional Competence Area 3: Assessment, Development and Technical Support - Awareness

Further information:

• 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 where possible at MoD Sealand or the Defence Academy, 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 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 : Stephen Leigh, Team Leader
• Email : stephen.leigh436@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)Candidate Information updated_ Opens in new window (docx, 31kB)EXTERNAL PACK Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)20240307-ArmyTLBEVP Opens in new window (pdf, 3932kB)