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Main Responsibilities

The key duties of a Security Officer are as follows.

Please note that these duties can vary from site to site.

•    Controlling vehicular and pedestrian access and exit to/from site
•    Issue of passes using site IT systems
•    Reporting of environmental issues
•    Issue and receipt of keys
•    Patrolling on foot and in a vehicle
•    Searching of vehicles, baggage, personnel, buildings and open areas
•    Escorting visitors
•    Traffic management
•    Checking identity on site (ad hoc)
•    Writing reports on breaches of security or defects and maintaining daily logs
•    Referral of complaints
•    Reporting MGS infrastructure defects
•    Dealing with demonstrators and intruders as directed by those holding operational control
•    Safeguarding classified information and material
•    Cooperating with other security providers
•    Collaborating with emergency services and invoking emergency procedures
•    Operating and monitoring security systems; CCTV and alarms etc
•    Operating and communicating effectively over the telephone and/or radio
•    Reporting safety hazards and accidents in accordance with current instructions
•    Carrying out, if required, initial action at the scene of any incident
•    Other tasks commensurate with the grade

Travel Requirements  

Where close area working arrangements are in place staff may be required to attend other sites within their travel to work area (one hour from their home) on a detached duty basis.

Environmental Factors associated with the Post

RAF Lakenheath is a flying base and as such some aircraft noise is apparent.

MGS applicants are required to attend a medical appointment to undertake a colour perception test. Operational staff at RAF Flying Stations and Royal Navy Dockyards are also required to undertake a hearing test.

Desirable Experience & Skills

A background, qualification or interest in the delivery of site security and/or customer service will be an advantage.

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

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

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

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

This is a full-time or part time position; Monday to Friday 07:30 -15:30

Part time consisting of a 4 Day week could be considered

Surely it’s just engineers and techy types?

Not. Even. Close.

You’ll join a team who helps make this organisation work.

With your positive, can do approach you’ll help maintain security at HMGCC by enabling contractors to perform tasks in compliance with our safety and security procedures to support the wider organisation.

You’ll be comfortable working in a team and also under your own initiative while you escort and observe contractors onsite as they undertake essential tasks.

Whatever your role here, you will be enabling the UK Government to produce reliable and totally secure communications to protect national security. It doesn’t get much more important than that so apply here to find out how you can get involved.

Putting your skills to use

Using your diverse range of skills within the team, you will:

•     Escort contractors to and from reception to their place of work
•     Ensure contractors only access pre-arranged areas to carry out their works
•     Observe the contractors at work and question any action or activity you deem inappropriate
•     Immediately raise any concerns to the Facilities Management Team
•     Take responsibility for the contractors general Health and Safety and welfare while on the HMGCC estate
•     Work within the security policy and procedures with regard to visitors/ contractors accessing the site
•     Work within the HMGCC Health and Safety framework document and business plan to deliver a safe working environment for staff, contractors and visitors to the site

More About You

You will already have:

•    Experience dealing with the general public
•    Experience of general Health & Safety
•    Experience of following process and procedures

To strengthen your application it would be desirable if you have:

•     Worked in a Security role

Your Personal Skills

You will be the type of person who:

•    Treats security and health and safety as essential to the wellbeing of all
•    Works cooperatively with others to achieve goals
•    Shows flexibility in adapting to situations or requirements
•    Deals efficiently with customer requests, queries and problems
•    Uses the most appropriate style of communication and approach for the situation
•    Overcomes obstacles and sees tasks through to completion

The Role

Working to the Deputy Security Advisor, the role delivers technical advice for Security project work and supports cross Government security initiatives. The successful applicant will oversee current security processes and work to develop and refine policies and procedures, to ultimately deliver security improvements across the workforce. The successful applicant will also represent Government Legal Department on cross government working groups to ensure unity with the Government Security landscape – regular attendance at cross government meetings will be required. Line management responsibilities will be required in this post.

Responsibilities entailed in this role include:

•Provide effective professional/technical authority and credibility to: – Internal stakeholders requiring advice and guidance – Cross government working groups 
• Provide effective management of the Personnel Security strand, providing oversight and ensuring demands are met.
• Provide day-to-day coordination of security assets to effectively utilise resources and ensure minimum standards are achieved. 
• Strike the appropriate balance between technical quality, value for money and timely delivery in order to meet delivery targets, as appropriate 
• Oversee plans and reporting relating to safety of staff and equipment overseas and within the UK 
•  Work with other departments to provide knowledge on building capacity, including communicating with project teams and contractors on cross government security initiatives. 
•  Manage professional relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and act as a lead point of contact for some external parties.

Person Specification / Criteria

Behaviours:
    Below are details of the Success Profile that make up this role. 
    You will be expected to provide evidence to show how you meet the criteria at interview stage. 
    We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Managing a Quality Service

• Develop, implement, maintain, and review systems and services to ensure delivery of professional excellence. 
• Successfully deliver high quality outcomes that meet the customers’ needs. 
•  Identify risks and resolving issues efficiently.

Working Together

• Encourage joined up teamwork within own team and across other groups.
• Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders, actively seeking or considering input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Collaborate with team and stakeholders to share information, resources, and support.

Making Effective Decisions

•  Analyse and accurately interpret data from various source to support decisions.
•  Encourage both innovative suggestions and challenge from others to inform decision making. 
•  Find the best option by identifying positive, negatives, risks, and implications.

Delivering at Pace

• Promote a culture of following the appropriate procedures to ensure results are achieved on time whilst still enabling innovation.
• Regularly monitor your own and team’s work against milestones ensuring individual needs are considered when setting tasks.
•  Act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands to maintain performance.

Experience

• Experience of working in a security environment.

• Experience of providing Personnel Security including managing National Security Vetting demands.

• Relevant experience in the field of Security management and knowledge of cross government security initiatives.
 
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., The Security Institute)

Technical
• Show practitioner level skills in relation to personnel security including National Security Vetting requirements.

• Show working level skills in relation to protective security and threat understanding

Civil Service Code
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of you and other civil servants. These are based on the core values which are set out in legislation. As a civil servant, you are expected to carry out your role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values of: 
–    ‘integrity’ is putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests
–    ‘honesty’ is being truthful and open
–    objectivity’ is basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence
–    ‘impartiality’ is acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well governments of different political persuasions
These core values support good government and ensures the achievement of the highest possible standards in all that the Civil Service does.

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

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

• • Show practitioner level skills in relation to personnel security including National Security Vetting requirements. • Show working level skills in relation to protective security and threat understanding

• 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 27%

Main Responsibilities

The key duties of a Security Officer are as follows.

Please note that these duties can vary from site to site.

• Controlling vehicular and pedestrian access and exit to/from site
• Issue of passes using site IT systems
• Reporting of environmental issues
• Issue and receipt of keys
• Patrolling on foot and in a vehicle
• Searching of vehicles, baggage, personnel, buildings and open areas
• Escorting visitors
• Traffic management
• Checking identity on site (ad hoc)
• Writing reports on breaches of security or defects and maintaining daily logs
• Referral of complaints
• Reporting MGS infrastructure defects
• Dealing with demonstrators and intruders as directed by those holding operational control
• Safeguarding classified information and material
• Cooperating with other security providers
• Collaborating with emergency services and invoking emergency procedures
• Operating and monitoring security systems; CCTV and alarms etc
• Operating and communicating effectively over the telephone and/or radio
• Reporting safety hazards and accidents in accordance with current instructions
• Carrying out, if required, initial action at the scene of any incident
• Other tasks commensurate with the grade

Travel Requirements

Where close area working arrangements are in place staff may be required to attend other sites within their travel to work area (one hour from their home) on a detached duty basis.

Desirable Experience & Skills

A background, qualification or interest in the delivery of site security and/or customer service will be an advantage.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

We enable our people to work at the right place, with the right people, at the right time.

We believe that if we look after our people, they will be passionate about delivering great things for our customers.

We understand the importance of life outside of work and our industry leading flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance.

The MOD Discover My Benefits page lists the full set of benefits. Some of the many benefits you will receive include:

• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Free Uniform
• 25 days annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Ability to roll over up to 10 days annual leave per year
• Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period to for volunteer military or emergency service reserve commitments
• Special Paid Leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing
• Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club, Gym and / or site shops

This post does not offer any assistance with relocation allowances.
Please be advised the department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Learning & Development

• Professional and Personal Development of skills
• Access to thousands of training courses through Civil Service Learning, some free or paid by DIO
• Ability to obtain industry recognised qualifications supported by DIO

Employment Hours

48 hours (including a paid break per day) You will normally work 48 hours per week including a daily meal break (43 hours net). This will normally be 4 x 12-hour shifts or 5 x 9.6-hour shifts between the hours of 0600hrs and 2200hrs over the 7-day period, as stipulated by the shift pattern agreed at the Unit depending on site requirements. This will include being rostered in a flexible manner (termed a flexible week) within the shift roster. During the flexible week, the working days and shifts will routinely be stipulated in advance but may be changed at short notice (this should be no less than 48 hours).

DIO is passionate about ensuring that we are a top performing organisation and a great place to work. We host a diverse range of talent where everyone feels valued and supported enabling our people to thrive, bring greater creativity and innovation to achieve higher organisational performance. We are committed to be an equal opportunities employer and creating a culture where everyone can bring their whole self to work and individuality is truly appreciated.

This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our 6 staff networks covering Disability, Faith and Belief, Gender Equality, LGBTQI+, Race, Social Mobility and 3 networks dealing with employee wellbeing and support: Speak Safe Volunteers, Mental Health First Aiders and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisers.

Our staff, future and current will be guided by the 4 Cs and we encourage you to be curious and continuously strive for improvement, collaborative in an inclusive culture, ambitious and resilient and committed to Defence, empowered and able to challenge so you can play a key part in shaping the direction of our organisation.

The Challenge

Do you want to join the 2021 Government Security team of the year and be part of our Gold Standard security service?

The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) provides high quality security services at over 140 MOD sites across Great Britain. The MGS has guarded the Defence Estate for over 25 years including high profile locations such as MOD Main Building in London and His Majesty’s Naval Bases at Portsmouth, Devonport and the Clyde. We provide access control, military working dogs, control room operations and other security services. We play a vital role supporting the Defence Mission and work to protect the defence estate and personnel from crime, terrorism, espionage and sabotage threats.

The MGS is part of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and employs over 2,500 staff. MGS Officers are often the first point of contact with the MOD for employees, visitors and contractors and we pride ourselves on our professional, customer-focused culture.

All our Security Officers are required to have excellent customer service skills and must be willing to go above and beyond to support security operations across the defence estate. Due to the high profile and strategic locations of the sites we guard, it is essential our Security Officers have a strong work ethic, are able to work as part of a team, are observant to threats and are capable to challenge and de-escalate difficult situations if required. We also require our Security Officers to have good written and verbal communication skills. Our Officers must have resilience and remain positive and friendly in all weather conditions and on all occasions.

We provide our staff with a market leading salary, excellent sickness benefits, together with a defined benefit civil service pension. Free full uniform will be provided.

We are a growing organisation with opportunities for good quality staff to progress their security careers.

The MGS holds the Committed to Equality Gold Standard and we positively encourage applications from all under-represented communities and from all types of working backgrounds.

See more information about the MGS, please read the candidate pack and watch our Security Officer YouTube video https://youtu.be/nzSK9OPOoDI

The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) is a professionally qualified body of Civil Servants who provide unarmed guarding services at over 100 MOD sites across Great Britain. The MGS has guarded the Defence Estate for over 25 years including high profile locations such as MOD Main Building in London and His Majesty’s Naval Bases at Portsmouth, Devonport and the Clyde. The MGS plays a vital role supporting the Defence Mission and works closely with its security partners

The MGS is part of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and  employs over 2,500 operational and support staff. The MGS is managed by a Head Office team, dispersed strategically around the country.

MGS officers are very often the first point of contact with the MOD for employees, visitors and contractors and we pride ourselves on a customer-focused culture, working to DIO’s Values as well as our own core values of honesty, integrity, professionalism and efficiency.

We are passionate about the services we deliver and work hard to keep pace with developments in the security industry, as we seek to be the unarmed  guarding provider of choice. The MGS holds the Committed to Equality Gold Standard and we positively encourage applications from all under-represented communities.

We employ approximately 4,900 staff from a very diverse range of professions, and we work across the world; in Germany, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands, Norway, Poland, Kenya, Belize, Nepal and Oman.

We’re MI6, also known as the SIS. Our mission is to protect the security and economic wellbeing of the UK from overseas threats such as regional instability, terrorism and cyber attacks. Working across the globe and in close partnership with MI5 and GCHQ, we help the Government to counter these threats through the provision of secret intelligence. A role in SIS will see you providing vital support to this work, within a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.

The Role

As an Intelligence Officer (IO), you’ll be central to our mission. Our IOs gather secret intelligence to protect the UK and its interests overseas, prioritising matters of national security, economic wellbeing and the disruption of serious crime. It’s a fascinating and diverse role where you’ll use everyday skills, including communication, influencing and empathy, to tackle extraordinary challenges. It’s genuinely interesting and rewarding work.

IOs work across four main areas:

1. Operational Managers, who are responsible for planning operations, while identifying and managing risks
2. Targeters, who are tasked with turning information, such as data into operations alongside our partner agencies
3. Reporting Officers, who link us with Whitehall and our customers and are responsible for validating and testing the intelligence as well as briefing ministers
4. Case Officers, these are the people who build and manage relationships with agents – the people who pass us the intelligence we need

This is critical work that keeps the UK safe. You might meet a contact for a chat in a café, or you might gather intelligence online at our offices.  In fact, your work will look much like any other office role – and like any other job, you’ll usually be contactable, if your family and friends need you.

Click here to find out more about what it’s like to work as an IO by listening to some employee profiles.

You’ll begin your career by completing the three-year Intelligence Officer Training Pathway, where you’ll learn the language and methodology of intelligence and how to apply this to SIS’s Mission of protecting the UK.

The Intelligence Officer Training Pathway

This is made up of the following elements:

• 8 weeks initial classroom-based training
• You’ll be allocated a role within one of the four business areas (see above), where you’ll complete on the job learning for 18 months
• You’ll have continuous access to a mentor and you’ll benefit from a continued and robust support structure
• As you become more experienced, you’ll be given a portfolio of work to own and manage (with support)
• You’ll then complete additional training at a higher level, before moving into another placement for the remainder of the Pathway
• Once you graduate, you ‘ll be able to apply for roles in whichever area best suits your skills and interests. You may choose to specialise in one particular area, you might get the opportunity to learn a language for a role, or you might want to apply for an overseas posting. Either way, you’ll have developed the skills and experience you need to start your career as an IO.

For the remainder of your career as an IO you’ll be expected to move into a different role approximately every three years, so it’s important that you demonstrate aptitude and interest in at least two of the four areas during the recruitment process (however if you specialise in a particularly niche area, there may be an opportunity to stay within this area of work for longer than three years).

You’ll need a minimum of a 2:2 degree or higher, and if you’re an undergraduate, you’ll be expecting your final degree result within 12 months of your application date, Unfortunately, we cannot accept an application earlier than that.

As well as demonstrating a strong motivation for joining the organisation and doing the IO role, you’ll also be able to demonstrate the following key competencies:

• Problem solving and judgement – a keen problem-solver, you’ll be comfortable in your decision making but also able to bring in the expertise of others when you’re unsure.
• Personal organisation and proactivity – a good organiser, you’ll be able to multi-task, prioritising work and able to create and develop plans. With an objective approach, you’ll review progress and risks, to ensure plans use resources efficiently.
• Clear communicator and influencer – you’ll present information to others concisely and tailored to your audience. And you’ll use your communication and people skills to build strong arguments so you can confidently and credibly bring others round to your point of view.
• Able to work with others – with empathy and an ability to take account of other’s objectives, you’ll build positive relationships with people with a range of different experiences and backgrounds.
• Able to work with a broad range of customers – to understand requirements, build strong relationships and keep them informed of progress.
• Open to change – a keen learner, you’ll continually look for opportunities to develop your skills, share your learnings and embrace change.

Ultimately, the skills we’re looking for are the ones you use every day – and not just at work. Maybe your people skills come from volunteering. Your love of learning from a hobby. Maybe you can coach your friends through a tricky escape room, or you know just how to calm your kids down. Those are just the kind of people skills we need.

Desirable: An interest in languages/travel/foreign affairs is of benefit but not essential.

Along with a starting salary of £36,733 and the ability to apply for promotion whenever you feel ready to (after the three-year training course), you will receive excellent benefits including:

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service) and 10.5 public and privilege holidays
• Those who relocate to London for the role will have access to an interest free loan of £2,500 for 3 years
• Financial support for learning and development
• Significant training and development for 3 years, after which you’ll be given 10% of your time in role for ongoing personal development
• Plenty of opportunities to work overseas (although this is not mandatory)
• Financial support for accommodation and living expenses for overseas postings
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Excellent pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Subsidised gym, restaurant, and coffee bar

About the Role

The Individual Standards Coordinator (Skills Strategy) will assist with the co-ordination and effective administration of the SIA Skills Strategy including the external Security Skills Board. The post holder will be responsible and accountable for administration processes and will support the development and implementation of schemes and products designed to raise standards in the private security industry.

What you will be doing:

• Project administration– organise and co-ordinate Skills Strategy focus groups or events and support the smooth running of the events/meetings on the day.
• Development and implementation– assist in the development and implementation of skills products designed to raise individual standards such as the Level 2 Professional Security Operative apprenticeship, the Profession Map and forthcoming CPD processes.
• Establishing workstreams – assisting project meetings, monitoring workstream project data in line with GDPR guidelines ensuring members have access to information they need.
• Email management – manage Skills Strategy inboxes: Skills, ACT, and Protect UK mailboxes. Responding to stakeholder mailbox queries, escalating or/ and resolving queries in a timely manner ensuring high level of customer service
• Data management – production of accurate and reliable Skills Strategy project or product information such dashboards, PowerPoint slides or highlight reports.
• Document management– Lead on the maintenance of key policy documents, including essential policy and legal documents, that underpin Skills/Training or quality processes including the Individual Standards dashboards.

What skills are we looking for?

• Knowledge and understanding of planning and the processes involved in learning and development, education or training.
• High level of numeracy and computer literacy, including comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel to intermediate/advanced level, and SharePoint.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
• Experience of working directly with external stakeholders, partners or supplier organisations.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and calm especially when problem solving or under pressure.
• Able to collate and analyse data from a wide range of sources and produce concise, accurate reports and Power Point presentations.
• Able to review technical plans and reports and identify corrections and improvement.

It would be great if you have experience in these areas:

• Practical experience of working in or with the private security industry.
• Event management.
• (Assoc) CIPD level 3.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent.

What can you expect from us?

• A welcoming and innovative work environment.
• Continued support and development opportunities.
• Access to training for attainment of recognised qualifications.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Annual leave entitlement will be 27.5 days, with pay rising by one additional day for every two years of service up to a maximum of 32.5 days.
• A variety of discounts including Gymflex,
• Civil Service Pension Scheme – Employee contribution between 4.60% and 7.35% and Employer contribution between 26.60% and 30.30%