About the job

Job summary

The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do.

To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

The Government Property Agency is changing the way the Civil Service works and is at the forefront of Government's transformation agenda; reshaping the relationship civil servants have with their place of work. The Agency is central to the delivery of key Government policies including moving 22,000 Civil Service roles out of London by 2030 and tackling climate change by contributing to the Net Zero agenda. To do this we are delivering a major change programme across the UK and consolidating our portfolio in order to save £1.4 Bn over 10 years. 

Beyond the bricks and mortar, the GPA is about providing great workplaces for our people. Through programmes like Hubs, Whitehall Campus and Smart Working you will be in the vanguard of creating model working environments and promoting flexible working practices. 

This is an ambitious and exciting task, for which we need innovative people, with strong commercial acumen, who are passionate about visualising and implementing customer needs. Launched as an Executive Agency of the Cabinet Office in 2018, we’re a relatively new department and we are growing fast so we also need people who thrive in ambiguity, can adapt quickly to change and are comfortable stepping outside of their remit to drive outcomes.

Job description

To lead the holistic security function across the GPA and the central government estate, delivering continuous improvement and minimising risk.  

• You will lead the GPA security function working across the organisation,  its commercial partners and wider government. You will understand the key security, statutory, commercial and financial issues, and use this information to assess and manage the risks to our client departments and to our own internal security posture.
• You will partner and work closely with and advise senior colleagues in GPA's major projects, building services, technology,HR and other teams to ensure that security standards are maintained and that the security aspects of GPA’s major projects and property management role are enabled. A vital part of the role will be leading on security risk management and assurance to protect our people, information and assets. This includes all aspects of security including cyber and physical.
• You will work in matrix fashion with security colleagues embedded in our workplace services and capital projects teams who also manage the security capabilities provided by our strategic partners. 
• You will have a good understanding of security issues in a forming organisation bringing the expertise and leadership to mature and manage the holistic security function across a very large and complex estate.
• You will educate and communicate on security issues across government demonstrating thought leadership in security and operational resilience.  

We are aiming to recruit people from diverse backgrounds to make sure we have a wide range of skills to strengthen our security capability across government. We value the fact that our different backgrounds, cultures, genders, experiences and ways of working produce a more effective team. 

If you have a passion for security and are driven by the challenge of needing to influence and lead at both the strategic and operational levels of security, this role is for you.

This challenge is likely to be simulating and  unique in many ways. If you are keen to expand your skills and experience in the sector, we offer a range of exciting training and development opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the GPA security function, assessing security maturity, developing security strategy that fits the needs of the business and lead the delivery of a suite of security policies, culture and awareness programmes and communication strategy. Establish security governance arrangements, security assurance framework and ensure the security function has a sustainable finance model.
• Lead a small team directly and work in matrix fashion across a wider  team of experts in physical, cyber, operational and personnel security domains, working across the organisation to build unity of purpose and common culture. Build close, trusted and mutually beneficial relationships with ExCo Directors and the Board to coordinate the delivery of client outcomes whilst protecting the organisation.
• Lead on complex Personnel Security matters, including the establishment of processes to better manage Insider Threat and the implementation of a robust security communications strategy to ensure that staff know what is expected of them. 
• Advise on security issues related both to the building of new sites and proportionate controls to protect people,  assets and our buildings - and operational security in the day to day management of security incidents and issues raised across the Government Estate. This includes the development of robust incident management and business continuity arrangements. 
• Lead the organisation, strategic partners and the supply chain  in developing a security culture through policies, training, contractual and commercial obligations. This includes developing a proactive approach to supply chain assurance and personnel vetting for the organisation, strategic partners and our supply chain. 
• Build security considerations into all activities in the organisation in a proportionate and sustainable way. Provide trusted, expert, and honest advice- and where possible, create a culture within the team to find innovative solutions to enable the business to deliver, whilst mitigating security risks. Responsible for developing a business continuity strategy, crisis management plans and incident response plans for the organisation.
• Delivery of security compliance: Defining legal and regulatory compliance landscape for GPA and leading the development of assurance and compliance activity .
• Maintain a strong network across Government and continue to build strong personal relationships with the UK Intelligence community and Government Security Colleagues to ensure the ability to proudly defend and lobby, ensuring that GPA interests are represented in Cross Whitehall initiatives. Lead on key innovative security programmes such as the complex, but pioneering delivery of shared secure facilities- working across Whitehall to secure changes to policy.

Person specification

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities and wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and well-being and aim to create a sense of belonging in a workplace where everyone feels valued.

Experience & technical skills

• Significant experience of operating and influencing at a senior level and experience and leadership in building and developing trusted client relationships and with key stakeholders.
• Proven ability in leading or supporting the delivery of large-scale programmes, building security capability
• A proven record of seeking out opportunities for change and managing it effectively
• Understanding of security and risk, as well as a willingness to develop knowledge in these areas as appropriate whilst recognising future risks and strategically planning to mitigate them;
• Background in Government security 
• Engaging, advising, communicating and influencing at all levels of an organisation
• Experience in taking a strategic approach, considering the impact of your decisions in the broadest of settings;
• Security Clearance - Developed Vetting (DV) - minimum at DV on appointment 
• A senior security qualification in one of the main disciplines and/or Member or Fellowship of the Security Institute or Fellowship of an equivalent organisation

Qualifications & Accreditations

Essential criteria:

• Candidate must either hold DV clearance, or be willing to undergo DV before starting with GPA. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £75,000, Government Property Agency contributes £20,250 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, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities and wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and well-being and aim to create a sense of belonging in a workplace where everyone feels valued.

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 (RIS) to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Sift

The sift is due to take place week commencing 9th April 2024.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to include a CV and a 750 word personal statement. The personal statement should then align with the person specification.

Interview

Applicants successful at sift will be invited to interviews, which are due to take place week commencing 22nd April 2024 in the Birmingham office. This is subject to change dependent upon where most successful candidates are based. You must be willing to travel to any of the GPA locations for your interview. If you are unable to attend a face to face interview due to extenuating circumstances, we advise that you reach out to the recruitment admin team to find out if alternative means can be arranged prior to submitting your application.   

At interview, applicants will be scored against 3 behaviours - Changing & Improving, Communicating and Influencing, and Leadership.

Interview questions will be a blend of Behaviour, Experience, Strength, and Technical (core skill) questions. You will also be required to perform a presentation at interview. Details of the presentation will be confirmed at a later date.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to GPA 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

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. 

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Developed Vetting (DV) clearance level for  this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for DV is 10 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

Contact Government Recruitment Service via gparecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

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 developed vetting (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.