About the job

Job summary

The primary purpose of the successful candidate is to be part of a team responsible for the armed security presence of Northern Ireland Security Guard Service (NISGS) at designated MOD establishments.

The Armed NISGS officers prevent infiltration or damage against property or personnel, site security and access control. This position provides an opportunity for a highly motivated and proactive individual to develop an outstanding range of skills in order to fulfil their role.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a Civilian Security Officer / Administrative Assistant in the NI Security Guard Service, 38 (IRISH) Bde. Your responsibilities will be as described in this job advert. The reason why you are appointed for a fixed period is due reorganisational review of guarding. This post will therefore begin on your appointment and end 12 months after that date. You should be aware that when your Fixed-term Appointment at MOD comes to an end, arrangements will be made in line with the FTA policy.

If you are a permanent MoD civil servant and are found successful for an advertised Fixed-term Appointment (FTA) you should move into the post under a Temporary Transfer (for up to a maximum of 23 months). At the end of the posting you will return to your previous MoD Business area. If this posting is at a higher grade, your promotion will be temporary, and you will return to your substantive grade at the end of the Temporary Transfer. If a Temporary Transfer cannot be agreed between all parties then a transfer on an FTA contract is possible, read the FTA and Change of Work Location in the UK policy for further information.

If you are transferring to MoD from another government department (OGD) you should join the MoD on an inward loan. At the end of the loan you will return to your home (OGD) department. If a loan cannot be agreed between all parties then a transfer on an FTA contract is possible, read the FTA policy for further information.

Job description

Responsible to the CSO3 (Unit Manager) and CSO4 (Shift Supervisor) for the physical security of their respective Station.

Key Duties:

1. Control access in accordance with Policy;
2. Conduct effective patrols (on foot and by vehicles) and cover guard duties in accordance with post orders;
3. Carry out vehicle and personal searches in accordance with post orders;
4. Response to security incidents and other emergencies in accordance with Barracks Incident Plans;
5. Preserve the scene of an incident and any relevant evidence;
6. Operate CCTV systems;
7. Carry out reception duties to include accurate input to access control system and pass issue;
8. Accurately record information in Daily Occurrence Book, Personal Notebook and other associated paperwork before completion of duty;
9. Transmit and receive information by radio and telephone;
10. Effectively control secure keys, key registers and lost property;
11. Safeguard classified information and material;
12. Operate and maintain equipment in accordance with equipment care regime;
13. Completion of operational detached duties at other NISGS sites.

Person specification

The Army is looking for Civilian Security Officers (CSO) to integrate within a forward leaning organisation which provides many opportunities for progression. The role is important for the maintenance and delivery of security within the defence estate across Northern Ireland and would suit individuals who can both work within a team but have the skills necessary to lead and make effective decisions. 

No previous security experience is required as full training will be given for the range of security duties. Foundation Training will be provided by means of a six-week mandated package covering all key skills including weapon training, radio procedures, access control in respect of contractors and incident control.  Successful completion of the foundation training will allow officers to take up their appointment offer as a CSO.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £23,670, Ministry of Defence contributes £6,390 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

Candidates would be required to complete the below two Online Test before they can complete their full application form: 

• Civil Service Numerical Test
• Civil Service Verbal Test

 Applications will then sift based on Civil Service Success Profiles.  Successful applicants will then be called forward for a face to face interview.

At Sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions

  At Interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

Applicants will be offered a Conditional Appointment subject to their passing of the NISGS Foundation Course. This is a mandated Foundation Training will be provided by means of a six-week mandated package covering all key skills including weapon training, radio procedures, access control in respect of contractors and incident control.  Successful completion of the foundation training will allow officers to take up their appointment offer as a CSO. Upon successful completion applicants will be confirmed in their 12 FTA. The FTA commences at start of the training period.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

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.

The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and 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.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.