Job description for Security Operations Lead

As the Security Operations Lead, you can base yourself at any of the following Defence Munitions (DM) sites

• DM Beith, Beith, Ayrshire KA15 1JT
• DM Gosport, Gosport, Hampshire PO13 0AH
• DM Kineton, Kineton, Warwickshire CV47 2UL
• DM Longtown, Carlisle, Cumbria CA6 5LX
• DM Plymouth, Ernesettle Lane, Plymouth, Devon, PL5 2TX
• DM Crombie, Nr Dunfermline, Fife, KY12 8LA
• DM Glen Douglas, Glen Douglas Road, Arrochar, Argyll and Bute, G83 7AZ 

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) are recruiting for a Security Operations Lead to support security operations across our Defence Munitions (DM) sites. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in safeguarding complex, high-risk environments that directly support UK defence capability.

As a Security Operations Lead, you will ensure an effective and proportionate security posture across sites, facilities, estates and operational teams. You will lead and influence physical security operations, maintaining preparedness for security incidents and events, and ensuring risks are identified, managed and mitigated appropriately.

You will have confident leadership skills gained from a security operations environment, with experience in resilience, risk management, assurance and governance. Working closely with a wide range of stakeholders, you will provide clear and practical security advice and contribute to the development and implementation of security policies and procedures.

Having experience of working in an Explosives Environment would be beneficial as would familiarity with the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) Foundation and Operational Requirements Process.

DE&S offers a supportive and inclusive working environment, with strong emphasis on professional development. You will have access to learning opportunities and support to enhance your security expertise, with clear routes for career progression within the defence security profession.

Please note the role requires regular travel to visit DM sites across the UK. 

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months.

We champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance at your base site is required (this is expected to be approximately 60% / 3 days of your working week) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance and business need. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

What you’ll be doing

• Managing security risks by overseeing Physical Security operations appropriate to the Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (WOME) setting and the deployment of security measures to effectively protect assets, (information, people, buildings and equipment) throughout the estate.
• Planning, testing, and responding to security/emergency incidents.
• Conducting assurance of all risks pertaining to site/facility/estate security, providing evidence-based risk mitigations to decision-makers.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant regulation and legislation, providing site/facility/estate level guidance on the implementation of these through site security instructions or orders.
• Assuring the implementation of effective security governance, guidance, education and training for all staff across the site/facility/estate.
• Maintaining effective strategic relationships with Policing and Guarding providers, including external Home Office Police Forces.

Person specification

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

• Lead Essential Criteria – Previous experience of working within Security Operations.
• Experience in a leadership role and delivering effective outcomes.
• Demonstrable experience managing risk and security governance.
• Demonstrable experience managing stakeholder relationships and influencing decisions.
• Evidence of using written and verbal communications skills.
• Hold or be willing to attain the Establishment Security Officer course in the first six months of employment, with the assistance of DE&S.
• Hold a valid Driving license to travel to sites across the UK.

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

• Core Behaviour 1: Leadership – CSBC3
• Core Behaviour 2: Communicating and influencing – CSBC3
• Technical Competence 1: Risk Understanding and Mitigation – Practitioner level
• Technical Competence 2: Protective Security – Supervised Practitioner level

Offered Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,100, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,775 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
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• 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

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles – Civil Service Commission
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions
• Civil Service Code: The Code – Civil Service Commission

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.’

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 (CV Review) listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the relative importance of the assessed competencies as per the hierarchy below:

• 1st: Core Behaviour 1
• 2nd: Core Behaviour 1
• 3rd: Technical Competencies
• 4th: CV Review

In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise an additional assessment.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints – Civil Service Commission