SSR Specialist High Risk and News Safety

BBC; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The BBC is seeking a Security Advisor to support production in hostile environments. This role involves conducting threat assessments, managing crises, and ensuring safety for staff and assets. Ideal candidates will have operational experience in security, strong interpersonal skills, and a willingness to obtain relevant certifications.

Benefits

26 days of annual leave

Flexible 35-hour workweek

Pension scheme

Discounts on dental and health care

Gym memberships

Qualifications

• Recent operational experience in security or risk management.
• Knowledge of intelligence assessment and security equipment.
• Military, government, or security background with overseas experience.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety of staff and assets in hostile environments.
• Conduct threat analysis and risk assessments.
• Support crisis management efforts and develop security policies.

Skills

Operational experience in hostile environments

Knowledge of security techniques

Crisis management skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Integrity and resilience

Education

NEBOSH certification

Medical qualification (FREC3/MIRA)

Security qualification (CPP, PSP)

Job description

Package Description

Band: D
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract until 30 March 2026
Location: London-based role with some flexibility, i.e., hybrid working
Salary: approximately £55,000 - £57,000 plus London Weighting Allowance of £5,319, totaling approximately £60,319 - £62,319
Any employment offer with the BBC will be conditional upon having the right to work in the UK.
We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements. Indicate your preference in the application. This is not obligatory at the application stage but can be discussed at the offer stage.
Benefits include a competitive salary, a flexible 35-hour workweek, 26 days of annual leave (with an option to buy 5 extra days), a pension scheme, and discounts on dental, health care, gym memberships, and more.

Job Purpose

The BBC SSR Group supports the production of TV, Radio, and Online content by ensuring safety and security for staff, premises, and assets, especially in hostile environments. The High Risk and News Safety team, based in London, provides specialist safety, security, and risk management advice across the BBC worldwide. This fixed-term role is based in London, working in a hybrid model, with occasional overseas deployments. The contract is until March 2026, with potential for extension.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Your main focus will be to ensure the safety of staff and assets in hostile environments, managing threats such as terrorism, war, crime, and disasters. You will support the team across various portfolios, including:

• Providing specialist support and advice for high-risk activities
• Conducting threat analysis and risk assessments
• Offering production safety advice
• Supporting crisis management efforts
• Developing security policies and guidelines

Please review the full responsibilities and requirements before applying. Note: this is NOT a close protection role.

Role Responsibilities

• Support BBC activities in hostile environments through threat analysis, safety support, and logistics
• Assist in crisis management and deputize as needed
• Manage threat warnings and provide out-of-hours support
• Develop security policies and procedures
• Travel overseas to support BBC operations and conduct security assessments
• Lead or assist investigations of incidents involving staff or assets
• Participate in training courses and procure safety equipment
• Build relationships with external agencies and represent the BBC externally

Candidate Requirements

Ideal candidates will have recent operational experience in security or risk management in hostile environments, with practical safety advice experience. They should be available promptly and possess knowledge of security techniques, intelligence assessment, and security equipment. A medical qualification (FREC3/MIRA) or security qualification (CPP, PSP, etc.) is desirable but not essential.

Essential

• Military, government, or security background with overseas experience
• Operational experience in hostile environments
• Physical fitness and flexibility for deployment
• NEBOSH certification or willingness to obtain it

Desirable

• Driving license and vehicle maintenance knowledge
• Specialist training in arms, logistics, satellite communications
• Ability to produce clear reports
• Relevant diplomas and memberships (e.g., CSMP, PSP, etc.)
• Experience working with media teams
• First aid certification (FREC3/MIRA)

Personal Attributes

• Strong interpersonal skills and teamwork
• Calmness under pressure and crisis management skills
• Integrity, resilience, and decision-making ability
• Proactive, confident, and adaptable