Defence Security and Resilience - Function and Profession Lead

In Defence Security and Resilience (DSR) we play a critical role ensuring that Defence is secure and resilient now and in the future. We protect what matters most; our

people, our assets, and our information both in the UK and around the world, so that Defence can deliver its most critical outputs safely and with confidence.

Working across Defence, our key role is to stay ahead of the threats and challenges we face.

We provide clear direction and practical guidance to support the Defence enterprise to counter threats and risks and build resilience, drawing on the priorities set out in the National Security Risk Assessment.

In addition, we lead the Security Function, working on behalf of the Defence Chief Security Officer, who serves as the Head of Profession for Security bringing expertise, consistency, and expert leadership to everything we do.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

We are growing our team in DSR and looking for a confident and experienced policy professional to take on a high impact leadership role that will sit in the centre of the directorate. This is a demanding and career enhancing role in a small and friendly environment. Working directly to the Chief of Staff, you will be responsible for a number of functions, including leading policy and governance across DSR and shaping how security and resilience operates across Defence. You will be responsible for reviewing and maintaining core security policies, managing two senior security governance boards, leading assurance reporting and be a key function for managing and developing ministerial and senior leader briefings within DSR.

You will work very closely with senior leaders, contributing to high level decision making, and help drive the direction of security and resilience across Defence.

If you are an experienced policy professional that is confident, organised, and ready to step into a role that matters - this is an opportunity to make a real difference.

DSR SSC Function and Profession Lead will be responsible for:

Line managing HEO SSC Governance and Policy Officer.

Reviewing and managing security and resilience JSPs

Overseeing the administration function of Defence senior security and resilience governance boards.

Acting as the DSR Branch Security Officer (BSO)

Monitoring and evaluating organisational performance including leading: The Security and Resilience Function’s Annual Assurance Report (AAR). The departmental response to Department Security Health Check (DSHC).

Developing and maintaining DSR submission and briefing process for the Directorate.

Drafting SSC submissions and briefings for senior leaders and Ministers

Providing support to DSR SSC Central Office COS and deputise when required.

Additional Information:

This position is advertised as a full-time position. The role requires a minimum of 60% office attendance and is based in MOD Main

Building, London.

There may be occasions when an on-call function is applied to this role which will attract an additional allowance.

This role requires the successful candidate to hold or willing to undertake Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance and STRAP.

Open to UK nationals only.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Candidates will be required to provide and be assessed against the following:

• CV. Details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.
• Personal Statement. Up to 500 words identifying why you feel you are suitable for the role, what you believe the role requires and what benefits you believe this role will be able to provide you.
• Behaviours:Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

At interview, candidates will be assessed against the following:

• Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

Further information:

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.

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. 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.