Head Office Security Risk and Assurance Lead

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.

The Director Head Office business area, specifically within the Safety Security and Business Resilience, Technology and Accommodation (SSBRTA) business unit is responsible for overseeing 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.

As one of a two people leading on the Security Risk and Assurance Framework, this is an exciting role to strengthen our risk and assurance capability/function where you will be responsible for cohering, overseeing and managing the Head Office Security Risk and Assurance framework.

You will liaise with the wider team in security and resilience including key stakeholders across Head Office to ensure that related security and resilience risks are understood and proportionately managed, and where necessary escalated to the Principal Security Advisor, Head of Establishment and other key stakeholders.

You will contribute to the development of a Head Office Security and Resilience Risk Appetite Statement and support risk discussions at senior management boards.

You will ensure the Head Office risk management process informs/the Departmental Quarterly Performance and Risk Reporting (QP&RR) process, liaising with both Directorate of Security and Resilience (DSR) and Cyber Defence and Risk (CyDR) functional teams as appropriate.

A key part of the role is to support the development and implementation of a Head Office Security and Resilience Assurance programme, ensuring that Head Office has a robust assurance programme in place to inform the annual Head Office Security and Resilience Assurance Report.

You will have an opportunity to inform the future size, shape and responsibilities of the team.

You may be required to provide on call support in this role for which an allowance is payable.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

This is a London based position, with a minimum expectation of 60% (3 days) in the office, however due to the nature of the role, the team and operational requirements, 4/5 days will be expected on a regular basis. The MOD supports flexible working arrangements however this is on a case by case basis and can be discussed at interview.

Responsibilities include:

• Contribute to the development of Head Office Security and Resilience Risk Appetite Statement.
• Cohere Head Office Security and Resilience Risk Registers, working with key stakeholders to ensure risks and issues are managed and controls remain effective. Escalation of risks to the Principal Security Advisor and Head of Establishment as necessary.
• Risk and Assurance focal point for Head Office including responsibility for any Departmental reporting requirements.
• Contribute to the development of a Head Office Security and Resilience Assurance programme. Work alongside key stakeholders to ensure appropriate first, second- and third-line assurance is in place.
• Support Governance function through preparation of papers to senior Boards as appropriate.

The above is an outline of the responsibilities and activities within the role. It is not exhaustive and may vary over time with changes in organisational priorities.

This post requires British nationality (some dual nationals may be ineligible), DV and STRAP clearance (or the ability to obtain). 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 this recruitment process. Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases results in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.

Essential

• You will have previous experience and knowledge of operational risk, developing operational requirements and risk control frameworks; this includes an understanding of Information security management systems and risk assessment methodologies or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Previous experience in either Protective Security or Security Assurance is essential, in addition to a good working knowledge/understanding of risk management.
• DV clearance and access to STRAP (or ability to attain).
• Policy development and delivery experience.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to tailor and vary communication style to suit the needs of a varied military, civil service and parliamentary audience. Communicate in a clear, concise and confident manner.
• Manage and prioritise workload balancing competing demands.

Desirable

• Full membership of the Security Institute would be advantageous as would a professional security qualification.
• Possess or working towards a formal qualification in risk management.
• Knowledge of Government Security and Risk Management Policies.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Leadership

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

• 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 employer contribution of 28.97%
• 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.
• London locations may attract an allowance of £3,300 per annum
• 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.

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Job contact :

Name :
Becky Bowley
Email :
rebecca.bowley101@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email :
DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk