About the job

Job summary

House of Commons 

The House of Commons is a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system. 

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Staff Benefits

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including: 

• 30 days’ annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year). 
• Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%. 
• Access to training and development. 
• Flexible working. 
• Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan. 

Introduction 

The Parliamentary Security Department (PSD) is responsible for physical and personnel security across both Houses of Parliament and provides support to Members and staff when away from the Estate. Its purpose is to keep Parliament safe and open for business.

PSD sets security strategy provides expert advice and delivers an operational service. It does this in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and by working closely with the Parliamentary Estates teams, Serjeant at Arms and Black Rod’s office, Restoration & Renewal teams, the Parliamentary Digital Service, and other key stakeholders. 

Job description

Head of

The Role 

The Members’ Security Support Service is responsible for delivering a range of security services and measures to Members of both houses of Parliament and the staff that support them. 

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• the successful delivery of the security contracts for physical and technical/electronic security measures for MPs homes and offices;
• improved management of the contracts’ progress monitoring, responsiveness to Members, the delivery of security measures, and arrangements for managing the relationship and funding mechanisms with Parliament’s finance team;
• Responsible for the relationship with the Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team (PLaIT), NPSA and PSD’s risk team on Members’ physical security issues, and for the ongoing review of the set of physical security measures;
• Develop a risk informed, operational requirements-based mechanism to provide assurance that the range of security mitigations for Members is flexible, comprehensive, informed by the threats, vulnerabilities and risks applicable to each Member. 

Members’ Security Measures TeamHead of Members’ Security Measures Team

Person specification

House of Commons 

The House of Commons is a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system. 

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Staff Benefits

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including: 

• 30 days’ annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year). 
• Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%. 
• Access to training and development. 
• Flexible working. 
• Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan. 

Introduction 

The Parliamentary Security Department (PSD) is responsible for physical and personnel security across both Houses of Parliament and provides support to Members and staff when away from the Estate. Its purpose is to keep Parliament safe and open for business.

PSD sets security strategy provides expert advice and delivers an operational service. It does this in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and by working closely with the Parliamentary Estates teams, Serjeant at Arms and Black Rod’s office, Restoration & Renewal teams, the Parliamentary Digital Service, and other key stakeholders. 

The Role 

The Members’ Security Support Service is responsible for delivering a range of security services and measures to Members of both houses of Parliament and the staff that support them. 

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• the successful delivery of the security contracts for physical and technical/electronic security measures for MPs homes and offices;
• improved management of the contracts’ progress monitoring, responsiveness to Members, the delivery of security measures, and arrangements for managing the relationship and funding mechanisms with Parliament’s finance team;
• Responsible for the relationship with the Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team (PLaIT), NPSA and PSD’s risk team on Members’ physical security issues, and for the ongoing review of the set of physical security measures;
• Develop a risk informed, operational requirements-based mechanism to provide assurance that the range of security mitigations for Members is flexible, comprehensive, informed by the threats, vulnerabilities and risks applicable to each Member. 

Skills and Experience 

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• Experience of working in a security-related discipline, allied with an in-depth knowledge of physical or personal security principles and the ability to deliver risk-based and threat informed mitigations.
• Ability to lead, develop and motivate a small team, ensuring that resources are properly and effectively managed, whilst upholding the values of equality, diversity and inclusion. 
• Excellent people skills including excellent written and verbal communication with experience of influencing, persuading and advising stakeholders at all levels, such as Members of Parliament or Senior managers. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £68,900, House of Commons contributes £27 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

Next Steps and Additional Information

• Application Form - If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an application providing evidence against criteria 1-3 in the Job Description. 
• CV - based on all the criteria, please also attach your CV which will outline why you are a good fit for the role.

More information on the role and the full criteria and responsibilities can be found in the Job Description. 

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 counter-terrorist 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

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. 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.