Strategic Lead for Women in Counter Terrorism & National Security - Band B - SPP - Counter Terrorism Policing HQ

Job Title: Strategic Lead for Women in Counter Terrorism & National Security - SPP - Counter Terrorism Policing HQ

Salary: The starting salary is £59,839, which includes allowances totalling £2,928.

The salary is broken down as £56,911 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £69,342. Plus, a location allowance of £1,928 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.

Location: New Scotland Yard

Job Summary:

National Security is an ever-evolving landscape, with complex challenges and threats that require innovative and diverse perspectives. As we navigate through this dynamic environment, there is good evidence that a more diverse workforce and the inclusion of women at all levels brings better decision-making in support of operational delivery. That is essential as we enhance our collective ability to address emerging threats and safeguard our countries and people.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated and enthusiastic Strategic Lead to progress the ground breaking work being conducted by the CTP Five Eyes (FVEYS) Women in National Security (WiNS) programme and the accompanying CTP Women in Counter Terrorism (WinCT) Domestic Network, both of which are CTP priorities.

The FVEYS Women in National Security (WiNS) operates across the UK, U.S. Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It exists to encourage recruitment and retention and onward progression of women working across FVEYS National Security, by establishing career enhancing pathways and wider initiatives. The UK is a leading member, helping ensure we have the workforce we need to tackle the threats we face now and in future.
The CTP Women in Counter Terrorism Network (WinCT) exists to maximise opportunities for Women in Counter Terrorism Policing, celebrate their successes, and enable them to thrive. Its ethos reflects CTPHQ’s People Priorities. The WinCT Network supports the recruitment, retention and development of women in CT and is beneficial to police officers and staff of all ranks and grades. It is a cohort of women who are skilled, trained and passionate about countering terrorism and wider national security threats. WinCT feeds into the global FVEYS WiNS network and the wider FVEYS WiNS Global Network opportunities.

This role will be based within the Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters (CTPHQ) Strategy, Planning and Performance Directorate (SPP). SPP is a multi-skilled, diverse, insightful and influential team that sits at the heart of CTPHQ. Operating in New Scotland Yard and CTOC, we work collaboratively with CTP colleagues in the HQ and across the network, to ensure that CTP has effective strategies, policies and plans in place, along with the capabilities it needs to keep the public and the UK safe.

Informed by CTP’s strategic approach, and contributing to the UK’s CONTEST and other National Security Strategies we set out clear strategic direction, drive CTP’s network delivery plan, deliver performance insights to inform decision-making, and run CTP’s principal governance structures. We cohere CTP’s positions on policy and legislation, while also navigating CTP’s organisational response to operational incidents and investigations. In addition, we support, advise and brief CTP’s senior leaders in their leadership of CTP while also engaging for CTP with partners, Government and internationally in support of our mission.

You will report directly to the CTP Director of Strategy, and also work for the CTP Director of Change in a matrix approach. You will work with the National Inclusion, Diversity and Engagement (IDE) Lead, Human Resources and link into our Intervention, Communications, and CTPHQ People Priorities capabilities. You will also work with CTP colleagues working on international matters to ensure strategic join-up.

Job Purpose:

You will be responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the Five Eyes (FVEYS) Women in National Security and the Women in Counter Terrorism (WinCT) programmes which span the national security sphere. You will provide additional policy support to our CT/Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy and help inform policy thinking on misogyny and terrorism. You will also work to align the Leadership in CT (LinCT) Programme and FVEYS, taking domestic IDE specific initiatives international. Given the nature of CTP and our operational mission to keep the public safe, you may also be expected to support ad hoc other requirements.

You will be responsible for the initiation of key business initiatives, engage with a diverse range of regional, national and international stakeholders, present the case for change and develop the design. You will also provide assurance of in-flight projects and programmes, ensuring their alignment with CTP’s strategic direction, business architecture and operational environment. As the national security environment is constantly changing, you will keep a close eye on the security landscape too, assessing the impact of new events or threats as they emerge.

You will work closely with senior police officers, and colleagues across the national security sphere in formulation, provision of policy and programme management advice and to act as the Government-facing point of contact for WiNS and WinCT. You will support senior CTP leadership in understanding how this enduring priority work is placed in the external political climate in which CTP operates, being ready to provide strategic policy advice on a range of relevant matters. You will also be on an on-call rota with your Directorate peers, providing a key liaison function between Government and CTP in relation to operations, investigations and incidents.

You will help strengthen CTP relationships across Government departments, law enforcement and security agencies including but not limited to Homeland Security Group, UKIC and Ministry of Defence. You will ensure that the CTP view on women in CT and National Security, as well as more broadly, is understood, and influence and negotiate on behalf of CTP in support of delivering a more diverse workforce..

Both WiNS and WinCT (key deliverables set out in Annex A), are complex and demanding programmes, requiring strong strategic awareness, project management skills and experience, and stakeholder management acumen. The key to the success of WiNS and WinCT relies, for example, on building positive global working relationships with often very senior stakeholders across all areas of National Security. This role will be instrumental in identifying and fostering those relationship.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead activity in relation to WiNS, WinCT and related matters, ensuring design coherence with CTP strategy, business architecture and operational environment.
Engage with stakeholders across the national security sphere, Government and private sector partners in relation to WiNS, WinCT and related matters.
As required, support the wider pillar of Strategy, Performance and Planning in their service to CTP.
Support the Strategy Director with developing the programme’s future direction and service offering for the FVEYS community.
Build your reputation as national and international subject matter expert, with a deep understanding of the organisation’s strategic direction and service delivery.
Provide expert advice, to support effective, informed and coordinated decision-making by seniors.
Lead and represent CTP in policing, national security and cross-government partnerships on WiNS and WinCT plus related matters.
Ensure that customer expectations are met or managed and that external pressures and priorities do not compromise CT Policing objectives.
Produce timely and high quality briefings, letters, presentations and updates for and on behalf of CTP senior leaders.
Support governance processes as required, which may include formal and informal advice and papers for Boards.
Ensuring governing forums and senior stakeholders are appropriately engaged with WiNS and WinCT activity through briefings, alongside more targeted conversations to influence others and build support for delivery.
Manage communication and engagement with project stakeholders, developing and maintaining key relationships and working in partnership to resolve problems to benefit the national security sphere.
Matrix style line management across global partners.
Event planning in line with CTPHQ People Priorities and wider WiNS and WinCT sponsored events.
Working at times that can be outside of standard UK working hours to accommodate varying global time zones.
Being part of the SPP on-call rota service liaising between CTP and Government on operations, incidents and investigations.

Supporting Information:

Location: Hybrid - New Scotland Yard, in the office minimum two days per full working week, and working from home.

Hours: Core office hours: Monday – Friday 9-5. Some flexibility required for occasional meetings, accommodating time difference across the FVEYS. Flexible working patterns will be considered and should be submitted with application.

Vetting

This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Developed Vetting (DV) level before taking up the post.

This post requires British nationality (some dual nationals may be ineligible) and an Enhanced Security Check (eSC)/Developed Vetting (DV)] clearance.

As the post holder will have access to very sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and we will undertake additional security checks as part of the recruitment process. Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases result in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.

Confidentiality Agreement

Applicants should also be aware of the need to sign a confidentiality agreement on taking up the post.

Our Employee Commitments

Counter Terrorism Policing aims to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere and culture and an environment where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are able to reach their full potential. Where any group or individual can be and feel respected, supported and valued to fully participate and contribute to our mission of “Working to keep people safe from Terrorism”.

Inclusion, diversity and equality is at the front and centre of our approach to make the composition of Counter Terrorism Policing more representative of the communities we serve. As Counter Terrorism is rooted in Local Policing, to tackle today’s complex policing challenges, applications from across all communities are therefore essential and encouraged. Counter Terrorism Policing as a network is committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations’.

Counter Terrorism Policing is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working arrangements, including part time working or job share. In addition, this role has been reviewed following learning from work during the Covid pandemic and may be done in an agile manner. In the first instance, please contact the vacancy holder to discuss how such arrangements could be accommodated (where applicable).

How to apply

To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply now" button below. The application process requires a comprehensive CV, a Personal Statement, and an online application form. In your Personal Statement, you should explain your interest in the position and illustrate how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate. Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV, and ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV and/or Personal Statement.

Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 29th October 2025.

Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, following this, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. The application review for this vacancy will commence 2 weeks after the closing date.

Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview. Interview dates will commence 4 weeks after hiring manager review.

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