Deputy Head Business Services - Security Services Group

Shrivenham, South East England, SN6 8LA

Job Summary

Security Services Group (SSG) is the MOD’s Technical Authority for electronic and physical security providing in-house expert advice, design, installation and maintenance of electronic and physical security systems across Government, prioritised towards Secret and Above Secret, and items Attractive to Criminal and Terrorist Organisations (ACTO). SSG is part of GUARDIAN and is positioned withing Standing Joint Command to support UK homeland security and resilience.

With an FTE of 325, SSG provides technical specialist ‘consultancy’ advice to projects to support the creation of design specifications through to commissioning; project management and delivery with through life maintenance; strategic and tactical compliance assurance reviews and audits across the business; an assured government use only Intruder Detection System built in-house; and security furniture services. Head of SSG is also the MOD’s Head of Specialism for Physical Security across the MOD (part of the Government Security Profession).

SSG’s Operational Delivery teams are the MOD’s specialist in-house security providers, delivering project management, design, installation and 24/7, 365 days a year maintenance of all aspects of electronic and physical security, with a global reach. SSG’s work is independently audited to ensure, ISO 9001:2015 and NSI compliance and accreditation as well as MOD’s own internal compliance regime.

The post holder is responsible for reporting to the Head SSG and providing assurance to the SSG SCS 1 Executive Committee (ExCo) on the safe and effective delivery of support to global SSG operations.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

As the SSG Business Services Deputy Head you will lead a bespoke and varied team of SMEs to deliver all business service functions to ensure SSG can efficiently and safely deliver the role of Technical Authority for Above Secret Physical and Technical Security role on behalf of the MoD.

You will be responsible for delivering SSG Strategies, Policies and Contract Management across multiple functional areas on behalf of Hd SSG. You are Hd SSG’s Advisor for all areas of responsibility and will represent SSG across a broad functional network at MOD Civ Deputy Head level. You will be required to engage widely across the Security Directorate at both AH Business Partner, Deputy Head, 1/2* level as well as brief up to Standing Joint Command (SJC) group, wider TLB and Ministerial level as and when required.

As a member of SSG Senior Leadership Team, you will be a key part of the team implementing SSG’s Vision 30 Program and for developing / improving SSG functions within your business area. You will be responsible for maintaining functional relationships across the Directorate and the wider SJC. You will provide the SSG ExCo with assurance of your business responsibilities, ensuring the ExCo is fully briefed on key risks and opportunities in the sphere of SSG Corporate Strategy.

A key challenge will be delivery support to SSG locations and staff that are geographically dispersed through the UK and overseas, providing a 24/7 response to a critical capability.

As the SSG Business Services Deputy Head you will lead a bespoke and varied team of SMEs to deliver all business service functions to ensure SSG can efficiently and safely deliver the role of Technical Authority for Above Secret Physical and Technical Security role on behalf of the MoD.

You will be responsible for delivering SSG Strategies, Policies and Contract Management across multiple functional areas on behalf of Hd SSG. You are Hd SSG’s Advisor for all areas of responsibility and will represent SSG across a broad functional network at MOD Civ Deputy Head level. You will be required to engage widely across the Security Directorate at both AH Business Partner, Deputy Head, 1/2* level as well as brief up to Standing Joint Command (SJC) group, wider TLB and Ministerial level as and when required.

As a member of SSG Senior Leadership Team, you will be a key part of the team implementing SSG’s Vision 30 Program and for developing / improving SSG functions within your business area. You will be responsible for maintaining functional relationships across the Directorate and the wider SJC. You will provide the SSG ExCo with assurance of your business responsibilities, ensuring the ExCo is fully briefed on key risks and opportunities in the sphere of SSG Corporate Strategy.

A key challenge will be delivery support to SSG locations and staff that are geographically dispersed through the UK and overseas, providing a 24/7 response to a critical capability.

Person specification

Line Management

On behalf of Hd SSG deliver visible and effective strategic leadership of up to 40 Crown Servants, across multiple Business Service Department Heads, with SC & DV, delivering across multiple functions to support a business with turnover of c£30M+ (20%).

Provide Line Management, Direction And Support To The Following

• Grade 7 – AH Business Services, comprising Communications, Apprentices, Central Support and Business Services.
• Grade 7 – AH Assurance & Governance, comprising Compliance, Health & Safety, Information and Security.
• Grade 7 – AH Commercial (currently SEO Commercial) and team
• Grade 7 – AH Business Manager (currently vacant), comprising Logistics and Learning & Development
• Grade 7 - AH Finance (day to day direction & support only)
• Deliver effective working relationships with the following:
• Grade 7 – HR BP
• Grade 7 – Finance BP
  
  

Your staff are geographically dispersed across the UK supporting both UK and overseas, 24/7 response to a critical UK Security capability.

Relationship Building

Being a visible member of the SSG senior leadership team, promoting understanding and providing development opportunities for staff across the business area.

Building strong and effective relationships with all stakeholders across the Directorate, TLB and wider Defence and industry at Business Partner (Finance and HR), Deputy Head, Head and as required Director level to ensure Defence’s IPR Owned Sovereign capability is optimised in its delivery.

Delivery of SSG Strategies

Commercial Strategy: Collaboration with Head Commercial and Head SSG to align commercial goals with overall business objectives ensuring compliance with MOD regulations.

Strategic Workforce Plans: Resource planning, acquisition and retention strategies. Coordination with Deputy Head and Head to ensure alignment with organisational needs and future growth.

Annual Business Plan: Collaboration with HMG and Dir Security to set realistic and achievable goals, matching customer demand and meeting MOD strategic targets.

Learning & Development Strategy: Engagement with Hd L&D to help tailor development initiatives to meet team needs, enhancing employee skills and knowledge through training programs.

SSG Apprentice Strategy: Collaboration with Deputy Head and Hd Apprenticeship to ensure the strategy supports long-term talent development; recruiting and training apprentices to build a skilled core future workforce.

SSG Communications Strategy (Internal & External): Coordination with Assistant Head, Deputy Head, and Head Communications to ensure consistent messaging across the organisation; managing internal communications and external public relations.

RAGS Strategies: Engagement with Deputy Head A&G to identify and mitigate risks effectively, delivering risk assessment and governance strategies in alignment with MOD’s core policies.

Supply Chain Strategy: Collaboration with Hd Logistics to ensure efficient and cost-effective supply chain management, optimising supply chain operations and logistics.

Delivery Of SSG Functions

Logistics: Managing logistics operations, including supply chain management, inventory control, and distribution to ensure efficient and cost-effective operations. Managing contracts for the supply of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE), meeting safety standards’ compliance. Management and operation of the organisation's vehicle fleet, including maintenance, usage, and safety protocols.

Assurance & Governance: Overseeing assurance, compliance and governance activities to ensure adherence to standards and regulations. Ensuring adherence to international standards for quality management (ISO 9001), occupational health and safety (ISO 4501), and security industry standards (NSI Gold).

Risk Management: Developing risk management frameworks and conducting regular business level risk assessments.

Security: Policies to protect the organisation’s assets, personnel, and information from security threats. This includes physical security measures, cybersecurity protocols, and emergency response plans.

Information: Managing the organisation’s information assets, ensuring data integrity, availability, and confidentiality. This includes information governance and data management practices.

Data Protection: Ensuring compliance with data protection regulations, to safeguard personal data, implementing data protection policies, conducting data audits, and training staff on data privacy.

Health & Safety: Policies to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all employees. This includes workplace safety protocols, health and safety training, and incident reporting procedures.

Business Continuity Plan: Developing and maintaining plans to ensure the organisation can continue operations during and after a disruption. This includes disaster recovery plans and continuity strategies.

Workforce Plans & Business Services: Developing and implementing workforce plans to meet current and future staffing needs and managing business services to support operational efficiency. Overseeing the allocation and management of organisational resources, ensuring efficient and effective use of resources to meet strategic objectives.

CASH & SAGE Support: Overseeing contracts for CASH and SAGE support, ensuring software is maintained, updated, and issues promptly addressed. Managing the technical refresh of CASH and SAGE systems; planning and executing updates or replacements to ensure that the systems remain current and effective (will continue through FY 2025)

Finance BP Liaison: Acting as the point of contact between the finance business partner and SSG, ensuring financial strategies and operations align with organisational goals.

HR BP Liaison: Coordinating with the HR business partner to manage HR-related activities, including recruitment, employee relations, and workforce planning.

Supplier & Contract Risk: Assessing and managing risks associated with suppliers and contracts to ensure reliable and compliant operations.

Business Improvement: Identifying and implementing business improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, productivity, and overall performance.

Lead a strategic review of the following functions in support of Vision 25/30:

• Logistic Support
• SSG Supply Chain
• SSG Academy
• SSG Commercial Strategy
• SSG RAGS Strategy
  
  

Essential Criteria

• Proven strategic and visible leadership skills.
• Corporate Services background, ideally within SCS 1 HQ environment.
• The ability to design, communicate and deliver business improvement and initiatives across multiple functional areas.
• Building strong and effective stakeholder relationships.
• Financial and commercial awareness.
  
  

Desirable Experience

• Experience of senior level Above Secret / STRAP user community within Defence.
• Experience of working and leadership within an Operational Delivery function at scale.
• Experience in Project/Programme Management, Financial or Commercial activities.
• Knowledge or experience of How Defence Works.
  
  

Licences

Full UK Driving Licence - maximum 6 points

Qualifications

Desirable:

Leadership qualification (Post Grad)

Chartered Manager (CMI) or equivalent

Leading Business Change qualification

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
  
  

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

Alongside your salary of £70,540, Ministry of Defence contributes £20,435 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.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

At Application

• CV including job history, full qualification details, previous skills and experience.
• Personal Statement:

• Proven strategic and visible leadership skills.
  
  

• Corporate Services background, ideally within SCS 1 HQ environment.
  
  

• The ability to design, communicate and deliver business improvement and initiatives across multiple functional areas.
  
  

• Building strong and effective stakeholder relationships.
  
  

• Financial and commercial awareness.
• Behaviours:
  
  

• Leadership
  
  

• Managing a Quality Service
  

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 Interview

• Experience – discuss your background and its relevance to the role
• Behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace
  
  

• Changing and Improving
  
  

• Working Together
  
  

• Communicating and Influencing
  

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 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.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

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.

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.

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 the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

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 : Sean English
• Email : sean.english627@mod.gov.uk
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.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: info@csc.gov.uk.