About the job

Job summary

We’re hiring a Head of Physical Risk and Security.

You’ll need to be a visionary leader, adaptable and enthusiastic, with experience of delivering against multiple different projects. You’ll have an eye for the bigger picture, so you can understand how security risks may impact DWP’s strategic objectives.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is the biggest government department and budget, touching every citizen in the country at some stage of their lives. We’re responsible for delivering over £250 billion a year in benefits, pension and social fund payments each year.

Physical Risk and Security is part of our Enterprise Security and Risk Management team (ESRM), which supports the DWP in the safeguarding of an effective national welfare system. We support over 90,000 employees across 950 UK locations, ensuring DWP appropriately manages and assures security risks, to its information, people, premises and supply chain.

As part of one of the largest security teams in government, we deliver high quality risk analysis, assurance and expert security advice so that DWP’s systems, data, buildings and colleagues are protected against an evolving range of security threats.

Job description

Tell me more about the role

As an experienced visionary leader you will:

• provide strategic direction and organisational planning to shape and oversee the delivery of physical risk and security services alongside insight and expertise to DWP business areas
• lead and manage a large, geographically dispersed team delivering the overarching organisational vision, providing confidence that DWP is appropriately secured
• be accountable for producing, maintaining and delivering the Physical Risk and Security Operating model and associated change plan in support of the security strategy
• drive innovation and lead change positively by setting a clear direction for physical risk, aligning to business transformation and empowering team members by creating an environment to ensure change happens
• you will engage with senior stakeholders across the business, security profession and wider HMG, you will represent security at senior forums and meetings, presenting security concerns and findings with confidence and authority.

So what about the day-to-day?

You will establish and oversee the physical security risk assessment methodology, site tiering and prioritisation approaches. Ensuring services continue to meet stakeholder requirements and align to wider Departmental and HMG objectives.

You will ensure the Department maintains visibility of its local and enterprise physical security risks, that risk owners are aware and that, where appropriate, associated mitigations are in place.

You will work with DWP business areas including Estates, Health and Safety, Human Resources, Digital, Finance, Policy, Service Delivery and Change. They’re willing collaborators and value our expert input – you will need to be able to make complex security matters easy to understand.

Your work will be challenging and engaging. You’ll get to see the impact of the work you do in action, and in real time. Our team loves the work we do, and we support each other to be at our best.

You’ll need to be willing to travel to other DWP locations, with occasional overnight stays required.

Community, Learning & Opportunity

We have a supportive and collaborative team culture in ESRM. With a fantastic induction programme and year-round learning opportunities, we’ll provide you with the skills and experience you need to be confident in your role.

If you don’t have a professional security risk qualification such as CRISC - Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control or Certified Security Risk Manager then you’ll be supported to work towards relevant qualifications here. 

We welcome applications from security risk professionals who have built their skills and knowledge experientially too. We are always receptive to new ideas and ways of working, and whatever experience you bring to the table can help us improve. 

We have defined career pathways, and a leadership team that is focused upon the development of our people, so you’ll have all you need to develop a rewarding professional career with DWP.

Person specification

What skills and experience do I need to apply?

We would love to hear from you if you have some, or all of the following:

• A deep knowledge of physical security practises controls and standards and how they converge to operate effectively in an holistic risk environment
• Proven experience of interacting with Board Level governance on security topics to present, escalate and influence decision making
• Demonstrable knowledge of security threat and risk analysis, and the identification, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of security measures
• Proven experience of leading a large, diverse team to deliver outstanding services within a security environment
• Proven experience of translating security policy, legal and regulatory requirements into security services and solutions
• Proven experience of good relationship management.

Engagement Event

We are committed to supporting our applicants in this process, and we are running an online engagement session.

This session is designed for you to hear more from the Head of ESRM and some of his Leadership Team, find out a little bit more about the role on offer. We will also be providing you with some guidance on the application process to outline what we are looking for, and how you can get your application ready to submit.

There will also be some time for Q&A at the end but please be aware we will be unable to answer any specific application questions on these calls or discuss any personal applications or experiences. The event will take place from 3.30pm - 4.30pm on Monday 11 March.

HOW DO YOU BOOK A SPACE?

To book a space, please send an email to Helen.Broadhead@DWP.GOV.UK titled “Head of Physical Risk and Security info session”. The session will be held on TEAMS.

Benefits

You’ll join us in one of our brilliant hub locations: Birmingham, Blackpool, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield.

Our team loves the ability to balance their life and their work. We have flexible hours, and hybrid working. We use Flexitime, which means at those times when you might need to work longer to get the job done, you build up flexi-credit that you can use to start later or finish earlier.

In return for your skills, we offer salary range of £69,869 to £83,957 per annum, an attractive civil service pension with employer contributions of over 27%, and a generous annual leave package starting at 26 Days, rising to 31 Days overtime.

The work we do is important, and we know healthy and happy people do better work. We have a great benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Volunteering and charitable giving
• Discounts and savings on shopping, days out and more
• Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it’s even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference
• Sports and social activities
• Learning and development, including coaching, mentoring, progression opportunities and guaranteed 5-days formal learning per year.

If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Location

Applicants should apply for suitable posts where they can travel to and from their home office location daily within a reasonable time.   

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed. 

Hybrid Working

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home.  This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

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.

Your application will consist of the following:

1. A completed Personal Details application form
2. A curriculum vitae including education, professional qualifications and full employment history, giving details of key achievements, including details of the work and projects that you have been involved in
3. Personal Statement up to 750 words.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

When providing details in your CV, employment history and personal statement you should highlight your experience in line with the criteria below 

• A deep knowledge of physical security practises, controls and standards and how they converge to operate effectively in an holistic risk environment
• Proven experience of interacting with Board Level governance on security topics to present, escalate and influence decision making
• Demonstrable knowledge of security threat and risk analysis, and the identification, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of security measures
• Proven experience of leading a large, diverse team to deliver outstanding services within a security environment
• Proven experience of translating security policy, legal and regulatory requirements into security services and solutions
• Proven experience of good relationship management.

The sift panel will use the information in your CV, employment history and personal statement to assess your experience, skills and knowledge against the criteria above.

If you’re successful at sift stage you will be invited to an interview.

At interview we'll assess you against these behaviours:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving.

We will also assess you against these technical skills:

• Innovation & Business Improvement
• Risk Management.

As part of the interview you will be asked to do a short presentation on a specific topic. Visual aids are permitted. The topic will be advised closer to the time.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. 

Further Information

Find out more about Working for DWP

A reserve list may be held for a period of  6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to DWP 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 /Disclosure Scotland 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. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

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.

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

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.

Reasonable Adjustment

At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” 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.

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

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.