Job description for Project Security Officer

Are you ready for your next career move? Come and join our Security Team at the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) as a Project Security Officer (PSyO).

In this pivotal role, you’ll provide essential advice throughout the entire product life cycle of our submarines and their supporting infrastructure, focusing on minimising security risks from concept to disposal.

If you’re a security professional looking to advance your career, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. We are committed to supporting your professional development and career progression within the Security Function.

There is a requirement to travel regularly to other waterfront SDA bases across the UK, with all travel and sustenance costs covered.

If you’re passionate about security and ready to make a significant impact, we want to hear from you. Join us and help shape the future of our nation’s submarine capabilities.

At the SDA, we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required for a minimum of 2 days per week to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

Due to the security requirements, this position is open to applications from Sole UK Nationals only.

What you’ll be doing

• Drafting and updating Security Aspects Letters (SALs) and/or Grading Guides.
• Liaising with the programme/project security stakeholders.
• Identification of security risks/sensitivities and implementation of effective mitigation.
• Advising on the appropriate acquisition strategy from a security perspective.
• Preparation of security inputs to approvals submissions.
• Co-ordination of effective security measures throughout the project.
• Management of information release to third parties and/or overseas.
• Liaising with the Industry Security Advice Centre on the security clearance of contractors and consultants.
• Management of project information released into the public domain.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Level 5 Security Management Qualification (or equivalent) or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant experience within a Project or Contractual Security related role.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Risk understanding and mitigation – Practitioner level
• Security compliance and assurance – Supervised Practitioner level
• Seeing the Big Picture – CSBC3
• Making effective decisions – CSBC3

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,700, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,659 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 27%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/SDA-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-SDA-Terms-and-Conditions

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
3. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. When two (or more) candidates are on equal interview scores, positions will be offered based on the scores assessed at interview, in this order – 1st) Technical competence, 2nd) CV Review, 3rd) Behaviour one, 4th) Behaviour two.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.