About the job

Job summary

This position is based nationally

Job description

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Overview 

The Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) Security and Information Group (SIG) has a broad range of responsibilities including personnel, physical and cyber security through to information management and records compliance. Our aim is to ensure the MoJ holds information in compliance with legislation; that all information is correctly stored, accessible, and shared appropriately; and our information is protected, and the risks managed. 

The MoJ Group Security Team sits within SIG and is enabling good security practices through the provision of personnel security policies, guidance, and education, by understanding personnel risks from all parts of the Ministry of Justice and providing assurance to the departmental SIRO, the Permanent Secretary, and other senior stakeholders that these risks are being effectively managed in the delivery of MoJ objectives.

We are seeking to recruit people from a diverse group of 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. Each one of us has a part to play in helping government to keep the United Kingdom secure.

Role Purpose

MOJ is recruiting a new Personnel Security and National Security Vetting Lead, are you who we are looking for? 

Over the last couple of years, MOJ has successfully implemented several changes and developments in the field of Personnel Security, but there is more to be done and we are looking for someone who can lead and deliver with professionalism, expertise, and enthusiasm. We are about to embark on work to deliver a Personnel Security Strategy, alongside a plan on how we will implement necessary changes to enable us to meet Government Standards.  

Working as part of the MOJ’s Security and Information Group (SIG) you’ll use your experience and passion to push forward MOJ’s ambitious goals in the security arena. You’ll lead a team of committed professionals to achieve clear, positive and ongoing improvements to our services, and the department-wide security culture.  You’ll make sure the team both receives and delivers value for money and take action to ensure that MOJ is prepared for and aligned to relevant government standards and security programs.

We welcome level transfers and applications for promotion. The role is part of the  Government Security Profession, and is eligible for sponsored membership to the Security Institute or other relevant professional body.

We welcome applications both from individuals with experience in Government security, and from credible and experienced professionals outside the profession. If you are looking to make a move into the Government Security Profession and have built up relevant and transferable skills, then please consider putting in an application. 

If the job sounds interesting to you and you meet most of the requirements for the role, but still are not sure whether to apply, we’d encourage you to take the chance and put yourself forward as you might be exactly who we are looking for. 

Job Description, Duties and Responsibilities – 

Reporting to the Security Adviser (SA), the postholder will lead and enable the delivery of personnel security and national security vetting services across MOJ, its Executive Agencies and Arm's Length Bodies by:

•    Overseeing MOJ’s National Security Vetting (NSV) service, ensuring that value for money is received, clearance capacity is used appropriately, and that HMG & MOJ policy is adhered to across the department. Where standards are not met or risks identified, developing clear and actionable strategies to rectify and seek improvement. 

•    Managing the operational relationship between MOJ and its NSV provider, ensuring that service expectations are met, and that the rights and requirements of the department are accounted for within their service delivery model. 

•    Preparing MOJ to exit operational servicers from its NSV provider and stand up internal operational services, as part of Cabinet Offices plans to deliver centralised vetting decision making across government.  

•    Monitoring central and cross HMG security programs, ensuring MOJ is prepared for any changes and that MOJ’s voice is heard in the development of new policies and programs.

•    Driving forward MOJs development of personnel security strategy and governance, including developing timely and relevant security policies and Personnel Security Notices (PSNs).

•    Identifying and setting the strategic and workstream objectives for Personnel Security, ensuring that delivery remains on track across the performance year, including developing and driving forward MOJ’s counter insider threat workstreams. 

•    Ownership of the Personnel Security risk register, ensuring that risks are documented, managed, and responded to in a credible and proportionate manner. 

•    Managing MOJ’s Personnel Security Sub-Committee, ensuring that stakeholders are informed and consulted on relevant security issues as appropriate, escalating to the Information Security Risk Board as appropriate. 

•    Overseeing MOJ’s approach to overseas travel, identifying gaps in service provision and driving forward improvements in policy and practice whilst ensuring compliance with cross HMG expectations and standards. 

•    Leading, motivating and managing a team of approximately 11FTE staff based across the UK, including having direct line management of approx. 3FTE, ensuring that staff have clear objectives and are working as one to deliver for MOJ. 

•    Working closely with the security governance team to monitor compliance with HMG Personnel Security standards, for example those standards monitored via the Departmental Security Health Check (DSHC), developing clear action and rectification plans where standards are not yet being fully achieved. 

•    Identifying areas of work that can benefit from increased use of automation and/or use of data to drive performance and cost savings, taking action to implement improvements and process changes as required. 

•    Supporting the wider team as part of unauthorised disclosure (leak) investigation and improvement activity.

•    Supporting the wider work of the Chief Security Officer, Security Advisor, Group Security, Security and Information Group, and the MOJ as required.

Skills & Qualifications Essential criteria

Essential skills:

•    Proven experience and expertise in risk management and risk-based decision making.
•    Proven ability in and a commitment to service development and improvement.
•    Proven and credible experience in problem solving and strategic thinking.
•    Proven and credible experience of line management and team leadership.
•    High level written, verbal and presentation skills.
•    Ability to work independently and a ‘self-starter’ approach to work and personal development.
•    Eligibility for and willingness to undergo and maintain SC clearance.

Desirable skills:

•    Previous experience in Government Personnel Security.
•    Proven experience of financial management and controls, within a burden share model. 
•    Qualifications in business, change and/or security relevant topics.
•    Eligibility for and a willingness to undergo DV clearance and/or STRAP induction if requested.

Application Process

This vacancy will be using Success Profiles to assess Behaviours. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview.

We will assess you against the following behaviours during the selection process:

•    Changing and Improving
•    Communicating and Influencing
•    Leadership
•    Working Together

Hybrid working

The flexible working arrangement of Hybrid working means the individual must be present at their base office for a minimum of 2 days every week, however this is based on business need and could be subject to change going forward. This hybrid working arrangement is not contractual and as a result staff could be asked to attend their base location more frequently.

Flexible working hours 

To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

The Security Information Group offers flexible working subject to local agreement.

This post is advertised as Permanent & Full Time. The unit is supportive of and encourages flexible working and compressed hours candidates will also be considered. 

This role can be based Nationally, with the possibility of occasional travel into London and across England and Wales.

New entrants to the Civil Service will join on the minimum of the pay range.  

Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £54,358, Ministry of Justice contributes £15,165 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.https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

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.