About the job Job summary The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,5000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army. As such using data to aid understanding of our workforce is vital. Within the Army TLB Information Directorate, the Cyber and Security pillar, headed up by 1 Senior Civil Servant, has a diverse and highly capable workforce. An exciting job role exists in the Personnel Security (Army) Secretariat Team. We are looking for a talented and motivated individual to join us, working to a Civil Servant line manager and managing a civilian team. The Personnel Security Secretariat is part of Army Headquarters but based in Imphal Barracks, York. It is the Armys focus for national security vetting matters and manages vetting for all Army personnel (Regular, Reserve and Cadets) wherever they are serving by helping ensure the right people are placed and retained in the right jobs with the right levels of security clearance. The Secretariats outputs have security, operational as well as personal significance and impact on the Armys overall operational capability. The Head of Personnel Security post, is responsible for all aspects of the functioning of the Secretariat, currently a team of 7, as well being the focus for vetting policy and process development internally as well as externally supporting other departments and agencies. The post is only open to sole UK nationals and will require DV/STRAP vetting in appointment. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern work spaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuing you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation. Whilst embracing hybrid working, there is an expectation you will attend the office an average of at least 3 days a week and align with other Secretariat staff. Job description This role works within the inclusive and innovative Cyber and Security team, part of the Information Directorate within Army Headquarters. The Army Headquarters provides forces to support operations around the globe and directs, develops and delivers the people, equipment, training and sustainment to ensure the Army is able to fight and win wars on land. The job holder will be responsible for the command, management, functioning and outputs of the Secretariat, operating largely autonomously on a daily basis but in direct support of Head Cyber/Security at Army Headquarters and with a close working relationship to the Armys Principal Security Advisor. A hugely interesting and influential post, offering both variety and challenge at a time of considerable change on the vetting horizon, it provides plenty of opportunity for the right candidate, in conjunction with the Secretariat team, to develop and bring forward ideas and initiatives to help ensure for continuous improvement in vetting and the associated procedures. The post holder will be intimately involved with the work of the United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) organisation (providers of vetting services), in the daily review of vetting cases, in deciding outcomes in contentious ones, in managing appeals and for policy and process development internally as well as in conjunction with the MOD and other single Services plus liaison with the range of government security authorities. The successful candidate must be comfortable engaging with wider Defence, Government, and industry on all areas of vetting. Occasional travel within the UK will be required but this will rarely demand overnight stays. If you are a strong communicator able to engage with stakeholders across the Army, wider Defence and Government, work efficiently and at pace, and maintain well organised file structures across multiple IT systems and security classifications, we need you. We are looking for a talented and motivated individual who is a team player and who can lead a team, but is equally comfortable working on their own to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of Army operated and managed systems and networks. Person specification The successful candidate will be required to: Work in support of Army to deliver outputs of the Secretariat. This is a fast paced and multi-faceted role. Develop and bring forward ideas and initiatives to help ensure continuous improvement in vetting procedures. Represent the Army on appropriate MOD Secretariat working groups. Daily review vetting cases and decide outcomes. Direct line management responsibilities of 3 Civil Servants. Lead and develop the Army Secretariats team (7 personnel). Review, update all Army vetting policy ensuring is in line with other MOD departments. Essential Criteria: Be able to demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and confidently with a broad range of people using a variety of styles (oral and written). Be able to work independently, as well as part of a wider team. Have keen attention to detail and proof-reading skills. Be confident working across the O365 suite of applications. Background in personnel management. Desirable Criteria: Background in security. Some experience of working in a defence setting, ideally within the personnel security area associated with military personnel. This is a reserved post open to UK nationals only due to the nature and classification of the information. If successful, you will be required to obtain Developed Vetting (DV) clearance to take up this post. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Leadership Making Effective Decisions Benefits Alongside your salary of 57,670, Ministry of Defence contributes 16,706 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. The post does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts. Any move to MOD 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/. The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments. MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. 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. When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected. At application you will be assessed against the following: CV with full job history Statement of suitability of no more than 750 words outlining why you feel you would be best suited for the role, any relevant experience and outlining how you meet the essential criteria described in the advert. At application you will also be assessed against the following behaviours: Leadership Making Effective Decisions At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours: Leadership Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing CV Interview dates are to be confirmed. These will be held in person. We endeavour to stick to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs. 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-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk. As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to 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. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It 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. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : David Duncan Email : david.duncan216mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk Further information Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address:, Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: infocsc.gov.uk.