About the job

Job summary

The Corporate STRAPSO position is situated within the Sy team of a busy operational Headquarters, that is also a High-Level Budget, a Front-Line Command and a MOD Directorate. The demanding and operational nature of the Headquarters means that this role will require a significant level of flexibility and professionalism. The depth and breadth of this role may vary daily and could be an excellent developmental opportunity for anybody within the Security professional function.  

(STRAP is a supplementary security control framework for handling sensitive material derived from intelligence).   

Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities.  Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

 

Job description

The C1 Corporate STRAPSO acts as the sole advisor on all STRAPSO issues for the organisation which covers several locations. The corporate STRAPSO is responsible for all STRAP across the orgnanisation and as such must have practical experience in Protective and Physical Sy within a STRAP environment with a thorough knowledge and understanding of procedures and regulations.  Skills needed include interpersonal, communication, analytical and personnel management skills, preferably demonstrated through experience of team leadership.  The Corporate STRAPSO is responsible for the overall safeguarding of STRAP material, facilities and assets across the organisation and will be required to routinely travel to other establishments across the United Kingdom and to deployed Units.  The Corporate STRAPSO will also routinely liaise with the wider MOD and Government STRAPSO community as the lead Subject matter expert for the organisation.   

Responsibilities:   

1. Managing the policy compliance of units to ensure that national regulations for the maintenance of STRAP information, systems and documentation at UK and deployed locations are met.  
2. Resolving complex problems often in a limited time frame. Sound judgement is required and interpretative ability where work is governed by general guidelines, rules, and regulations to apply innovative and well though out solutions.  
3. Providing advice and guidance on STRAP matters to all STRAPSOs in the organisation. Act as point of contact regarding authority for induction for access to STRAP material.  
4. Identifying ways to improve effectiveness and output whilst achieving best value for money, and enhancing the credibility of the organisation. 
5. Notification of, and action on, STRAP security incidents in accordance with the relevant policy requirements and timelines.  
6. Monitoring the application of STRAP security guidelines and advising on any shortcomings or issues.  
7. Accreditation/ certification of new STRAP (and SAP) areas and de-certifying areas in accordance with policy.  
8. Providing STRAPSO training for STRAPSOs and Deputy STRAPSOs as required.  
9. Maintaining the master list of STRAP certified areas and be able to provide an accurate, up to date picture of the state of compliance and schedule of assurance activity across the organisation.  
10. Ensuring that all personnel, including augmentees requiring special clearances, are suitably inducted prior to deployment.  
11. Represent the organisation at the Corporate STRAPSO Working Group.  
12. As required, conduct STRAP induction/de-inductions/defensive briefs.  
13. Reviewing STRAP Policy in so far as it affects relevant joint service sectors and represent proposed changes through line management chain and relevant TLBs.  
14. Monitoring inspections of STRAP Areas within the Corporate STRAPSO Area of Responsibility (AoR) and coordinate assurance activity with inspection teams.  
15. Maintaining close liaison with and build strong professional relationships with key internal and external stakeholders across Government. 
16. Understanding MOD Risk Appetite and ensure compliance issues are managed appropriately. 
17. Providing advice and support to all projects involving STRAP, including new builds and expansions of existing STRAP boundaries. 
18. Providing a monthly update at CI/Sy working group as to Corporate STRAPSO priorities, challenges, opportunities, issues and scheduled activity. 

Person specification

Essential Criteria 

• Hold a valid DV clearance or otherwise be able to achieve and hold a DV clearance.  This requirement is mandatory and essential. 
• Meet the nationality requirement for access to STRAP material.
• Proven experience of providing effective advice on physical and protective security matters, to staff at all levels in accordance with mandated policy.
• Proven experience in applying Risk Management principles.
• Proven ability to communicate sometimes complex information, to staff at all levels.
• Ability to travel throughout the UK and where necessary overseas.
• Good written and oral communication skills and a high level of knowledge and experience in documentary, physical and IT security procedures, risk management and security investigations.
• Working knowledge of JSP 440.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and work long hours when required.
• Working knowledge of cryptographic devices, policies and procedures.

Ideally the candidates will have undertaken the following courses:  

• Joint Service STRAPSO Course.  
• ITSO Course.  
• Establishment Security Course.  
• Civilian Pre-deployment Course*.  

* There will be a requirement to complete the residential pre-deployment course at Chilwell which includes a medical and fitness assessment.  

Desirable  

• Working knowledge of JSP 440.  
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and work long hours when required.  
• Working knowledge of cryptographic devices, policies and procedures.  

 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes £11,631 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 and Experience.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. 

At Application Stage, candidates will be required to provide CV details to include: job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

At Interview Stage, the following behaviours would be assessed :

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

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 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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.