Security Investigations Lead - MOD Head Office
Job summaryThe Ministry of Defence Head Office provides the Department of State function and political and military strategic direction for the MOD. It is accommodated in Main Building, MOD’s flagship headquarters.
This is an exciting new role within the Director Head Office business area, specifically the Safety Security, Business Resilience, Technology and Accommodation (SSBRTA) business unit. Its main role is to oversee the safety, security, and resilience of MOD Main Building, ensuring that staff within MOD Main Building can continue to deliver critical Defence outputs in all foreseeable circumstances.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised and curious individual to join the Head Office Security investigations team. This is a new, exciting high-profile role working across the whole of Defence. The office is a busy, fun, and supportive environment covering a range of security and resilience delivery functions.
As the post holder, you will work to the Principal Security Advisor (PSyA) to deliver an investigative capability within Head Office. You will lead on the development of a Head Office counter security breach strategy, lead on the investigations including overseeing casework, determining whether to investigate and by who. You will make decisions on investigations including lines of enquiry, oversee the analysis and lessons learned process and feed into the development of the Head Office Personnel Security Strategy to improve the security culture driving proactive behavioural change within Head Office. You will manage the security incidents team, work with the Directorate of Security Investigations team, Joint Security Coordination Centre, Defence Intelligence, Defence Digital and other key stakeholders as part of your investigation’s role. You will advise the PSyA, Deputy Director and Director Head Office on contentious / sensitive investigations seeking support from Senior personnel as required.
You may be required to support the Principal Security Advisor and Security and Resilience Ops lead help to manage security or resilience incidents. This may include managing crises that disrupt or have the potential to disrupt business in MB. You will have a wider awareness of the changing priorities and responsibilities and be able to work flexibly distinguishing the preferable from the critical. You will be required to take part on an on-call rota, sharing the responsibility with colleagues across the team for which an allowance is payable.
This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
Specific responsibilities include:
Lead a range of complex security investigations.
Gather, verify and assess all appropriate and available information to gain an accurate understanding of situations to an agreed case investigation plan.
Develop and evaluate strategies to manage investigations, working closely and communicating with staff at all levels.
Analyse and interpret data, examine records and documents presenting the information accurately for use within investigations.
Prepare, complete and submit accurate reports to the highest professional standard and within set time limits to the Investigative Lead.
Handle, store and dispose of document / exhibits in accordance with MoD Policy. Conduct interviews and record statements in line with Defence Security Policy.
Review the preparation of reports on the outcome of investigations and the management of case files and disclosure within best practice procedures to ensure there is an accurate audit trail.
Provide the customer with a final report providing a view on liability and lessons learned. Develop lessons learned arising from investigations, reporting these to the appropriate MOD policy team.
You will be expected to develop professional skills on investigation and analysis, including the development of expertise necessary to advise on technical and policy adjustments to reduce the incidence, or facilitate the investigation, of serious security incidents. All investigations are to be conducted in accordance with investigative best practice standards and within MOD Policy.
You will have good communication skills, both verbal and written. There is no requirement for previous experience of working with the military or in the MOD however previous experience of leading investigations or managing security incidents is essential.
Person specification
Essential criteria:
Self-starters who are comfortable working independently in a fast-paced environment, able to set goals, create opportunities, win support for them, and see them through.
People with excellent interpersonal skills, able to express themselves clearly and engage with a diverse set of senior stakeholders to ensure that Head Offices priorities are met.
People with sound judgement and analytical skills, able to take evidence-based decisions and calculated risks, with a good instinct for when to seek direction.
People who have can drive forward change and can overcome obstacles to drive forward improvements.
People who are resilient, able to oversee and progress a broad programme of activities, prioritising among them and delivering to deadlines.
Individuals who are highly organised and able to establish a close working relationship with a wide range of contacts, inside and outside of the Department.
A sense of fun and a willingness to help develop a close and supportive team ethos.
Desirable:
Knowledge of Security and Resilience Member of the professional body such as the Security Institute or Business Continuity Institute.
Qualifications
Current/Active PIP1 (PIP 2 Preferred) or an equivalent recognised qualification/accreditation in investigative crime issued by a Government body. Individuals who do not currently hold PIP accreditation are still eligible to apply as long as they hold an equivalent recognised accreditation in investigative crime issued by a Government body.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £44,590, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Learning and development tailored to your role
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
Free on site Gym
On site restaurant and coffee shop
Generous annual leave allowance starting at 25 days per annum
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this 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 Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
At sift - 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 of no more than 750 words outlining how they meet the “Essential Criteria” in the job specification and hold the relevant experience.
At interview - You will be assessed against the civil service behaviours listed in the advert. Please use examples relevant to the job description, essential and desirable criteria where possible.
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into 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.
The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and 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 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
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 the Civil 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 :Claire Merron
Email :Claire.merron310@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.