About the job

Job summary

DBT Security are looking to recruit an Administration Officer to support us in the delivery of a high-quality Personnel Security and National Security Vetting (NSV) service to the wider DBT estate. 

The post holder will be responsible for providing high quality administrative support to ensure the smooth running of the department, as well as supporting the effective delivery of Vetting aftercare and appeals management across the department, which are vital in ensuring the DBT Security are able to effectively manage the personnel security issues across DBT including the delivery of National Security Vetting (NSV) services.  

The role is part of the Government Security Profession (GSP) and sits within the Personnel Security specialism. GSP is one of the recognised career progressions within the Civil Service and offers a challenging and rewarding career. 

Although experience in personnel security or National Security Vetting is preferred it is not essential. 

If you do not currently work inside the Government Security Profession or the Civil Service but feel you have the transferable skills to succeed in this role, then please consider putting yourself forward. 

Job description

The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities - however this is not an exhaustive list: 

• Provide high quality administrative support to the department and relevant senior managers. 
• Ensure that the Team mailboxes are managed appropriately and that all queries are responded to in a timely manner. 
• Support the Personnel Security Advisor in delivery of National Security Vetting aftercare and appeals process’ and Insider Risk training sessions and travel briefings working towards being able to deliver sessions independently. 
• Provide secretariat function in support of any governance process or steering groups established in support of personnel security, including maintaining the personnel security actions logs and risk register. 
• Support the team in the development, and management of ongoing role mapping. 
• Support effective communications of policies, processes, and guidance to all relevant stakeholders. 
• Assume responsibility for updates Intranet pages, policies, and processes. 
• Record and manage security incidents and trends. 
• Contribute to the effective planning, delivery of other projects and administrative tasks, as necessary. 
• Continually explore and undertake personal and professional development opportunities. 

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• Experience of and a high level of competence in, administrative tasks gained through working in an office-based or other relevant environment (private/public sector).  

• Experience of stakeholder management and customer service provision.  

• An understanding of the principles of data protection and a strong commitment to confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive personal or organisational data.  

• A high level of competence with MS Office365 products, including MS Word and MS Excel. 

Desirable Criteria:

• Previous experience of Personnel Security National Security Vetting processes and policy.  

• Handling Vetting aftercare and Appeals process’. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,329, Department for Business and Trade contributes £7,378 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 and Experience.

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:  

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
• A Statement of Suitability explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria. In your Personal Statement, please explain your motivation for applying for this role and the extent to which you satisfy the essential and desirable requirements of the role. Maximum word count of 750.

It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.  

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment: 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. 

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.  

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

Candidate Support

You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.  

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.

Vetting

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.   

Further Information

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences. 
• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases. 
• 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. Any applicant who has 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. 
• Terms and Conditions are attached.  Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you. 
• Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI 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 

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk 

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.