About the job

Job summary

• This post involves providing protective security to Ministers and contributing to the wider remit of the Departmental Security Unit. You will work closely with Ministers and the police, provide general security advice to Welsh Government officials, and develop and maintain security policies. Provide sound judgement with the ability to interpret information where issues are complex or conflicting with the ability to weigh up a number of factors to produce constructive ideas and solutions.

Grade Description - HEO

What the organisation will expect

• Ability to manage own and others work and prioritise to ensure that objectives are met to time and to standard, using own initiative and decision making, managing risks as appropriate.
• The ability to solve problems and make operational/policy decisions and/or recommendations by choosing between a number of options which may involve researching, organising and analysing facts and data
• You will be adaptable, flexible, open to, and accepting of change affecting you and your area of work and deal with that change efficiently and professionally.

What your team will expect

• Work independently on day-to-day issues which may include providing advice to more senior grades and supporting policy, digital, legislation or operational development work; whilst being the lead official to engage with a wide-range of stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Line management of individuals or a team. Management responsibilities may include supporting team members on more difficult cases, managing work allocation and prioritisation. Responsibility for performance management, coaching, mentoring and development of staff from all backgrounds to ensure they are able reach their full potential, helping to create a culture of inclusion; making sure that any development opportunities are accessible and inclusive for all. You are proactive in exploring your own developmental needs and take action when required.

What key stakeholders will expect

• Provide sound judgement with the ability to interpret information where issues are complex or conflicting with the ability to weigh up a number of factors to produce constructive ideas and solutions.
• Required to communicate information, to provide advice to senior colleagues on the effects of policy or operational changes and influence outcomes.
• Ability to grow strong professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders, effectively collaborating to share information, resources and support.

Job description

• Work with the police and external contacts for VIP events and engagements.
• Prepare risk assessments – assess Ministers’ diaries, identify areas of potential risk to Ministerial engagements and evaluate relevant threat assessments (e.g., notifications from the police about planned protests).
• Ensure that appropriate security arrangements are in place for public events attended by Ministers – this includes advance reconnaissance of venues and attending events to provide physical protective security. 
• Assist the Chief Security Officer to review Welsh Government security arrangements (e.g., inspections, security sweeps). 
• Attend security meetings with colleagues from UK Government departments and other Devolved Administrations as necessary.
• Assist colleagues in the Departmental Security Unit and contribute to the wider remit of the Division (e.g., investigations, project work, inspections, presentations, responding to staff queries).
• Prepare security briefs for Ministers traveling overseas on ministerial engagements.

Person specification

This post offers opportunities to work at the heart of the Welsh Government with stakeholders and a wide range of security experts. In addition to protective security, you will develop your capability and skillset by being involved in a wide range of physical security work. 

Benefits

• 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%
• Annual leave entitlement will be 31 days per annum with pay

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

South Wales based – daily travel supporting Ministers engagements

Ministerial engagements take place throughout Wales during the whole week ( including evenings and weekends). The amount of travel varies between once a week to several times a week and can be at short notice. Occasional travel overseas may also be required. You will receive a combination of time off in lieu or paid overtime for evening.

To Note: You will be invited to undertake 2 technical tests at the interview stage.

Technical Test 1 - Ability to make decisions under pressure.

Technical Test 2 - Ability to communicate at all levels.

The tests will be emailed to you 30 minutes before your interview. You will receive two scenarios to read through and then at interview will be given 10 minutes per scenario to present to the panel. 

It will be a virtual TEAMS based interview.

If two or more candidates score the same, the selection criteria will be based on the results for the following: 

Technical question 1

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (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

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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.