About the job

Job summary

As an important part of the Ministry of Defence, Defence Intelligence (DI) provides intelligence analysis, specialist outputs and advice that supports decision making across government. At the heart of DI is the National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI).

The Wyton Security Squadron staffs are responsible for all aspects of security at RAF Wyton and complete a core Unit task which provides Comd NCGI and the external stakeholders with the confidence that the Wyton environment is functional, safe and secure at all times. Our aim is to be a modern, service-oriented, customer focused team that provides highly valued professional support services across the site. As part of the team you will responsible for providing accurate and timely advice and guidance on all aspects of defence security, its application and associated policy and delivering core security services. This means that from your first contact with the team to receiving the completed service we want the customer experience to be of the highest quality and to meet, if not exceed expectations. 

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

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly driven and motivated individual to join our hard working and friendly security team as the Wyton Access & Vetting Officer (WAVSO). The role is customer facing and will oversee all pass and clearance requirements for access to Wyton and other high security-controlled spaces.

You will develop and maintain an effective control of entry system and ensure relevant security policy is followed. This allows a secure and safe place for MoD personnel, contractors and visitors to conduct their duties.

Other responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Providing assurance of the delivery of effective Personnel Security across the Unit, ensuring compliance with Departmental, National, International and local regulations, standards and guidelines.
• Liaison Officer/Representative with DBS & NSV resolving any identified issues.
• Draft and review Security Policy and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Produce statistics for Command as required.
• Coordinate, initiate and monitor all vetting applications and responding to enquires.
• Conduct discrete vetting enquires and After Care Investigation reports.
• Manage the maintenance of security clearance records for all Service and Civilian personnel.
• Regular liaison with other specialist staff both internal, external and contractors at meetings and conferences – this role includes travel to off-site locations.
• Composition of Business Cases and Risk Balanced Cases as required.
• Provide Staff briefing in both informal and large formal settings.
• Act as the Security Section Information Asset Custodian.
• Maintain Security Section Data Protection procedures

You will be required at times to provide on-call rostered support.

This role has direct line management responsibilities for up to three staff and supervisory responsibilities for up to five other individuals.

In Defence Intelligence (DI) our people solve problems, create understanding and give perspective to the diverse and complex Defence threats and challenges in a rapidly changing world. Together our civilians and military personnel inform decision making in Defence, manage complex finance programmes and develop new technology.  
 
In DI we believe your unique experiences, view and understanding of the world could provide a vital perspective and contribution to our work. We recognise that great minds do not think alike and are striving to increase our diversity representation at all levels. As an equal opportunities employer we hire, train and promote people based on merit and inspire to create an inclusive workplace free of discrimination. We also offer flexible working arrangements such as flexi-time, job share and compressed hours.

All jobs advertised in DI are subject to fair and open competition.

Person specification

We are seeking an individual with excellent communication skills both written and verbal to deliver informal and formal public briefings and presentations. You will be able to prioritise your time, to meet specific time frame and targets. Excellent IT skills, including word-processing, PowerPoint, and spreadsheets. The ability to use web authoring packages or a willingness to learn.

Essential criteria:

• Excellent customer service skills. Willing to consistently meet customers' expectations. Understand the needs of the DI customer base whilst balancing the requirement against robust security rules.

Desirable criteria:

• Previous experience of working within a high security environment.
• Previous Vetting and/or security experience.
• Relevant security qualification

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,290, Ministry of Defence contributes £9,528 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, Experience and Technical skills.

Assessment at sift and interview will be based on meeting any defined skill/qualification requirements along with a Success Profile element assessment, as detailed in the job advert. The Success Profile elements to be assessed will be outlined within the job advert. The Civil Service Success Profile Framework is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles

At sift, applicants will be sifted against their experience by providing a personal statement, of no more than 500 words, including evidence of the essential and desirable criteria requested within the job advert.

When completing your personal statement, please read and understand the requirements described in the Person Specification section thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against.  

At interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles:

Behaviours:

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service 
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skill: 

• The Government Security Profession career framework - Personal Security Adviser - Practitioner Level  

Please open the following link to access the Technical Skills - Framework: Government Security Profession career framework (publishing.service.gov.uk)

We would generally expect Behaviour examples to follow the STAR structure and encourage candidates to use this throughout their application.

The sift should take place within two weeks of the job closing and candidates will be informed of the results, at all stages, via the website. Interview dates are to be confirmed.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. 

If the successful candidate does not hold the necessary clearances, they will be made a provisional job offer and asked to undergo our vetting procedures. Once the relevant clearances have been obtained a formal job offer will be made and start dates can be discussed. Should the candidate fail to obtain the relevant clearances the provisional job offer will be rescinded. It should be noted that this process can take several months.

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.