HQ Security Officer

NATO; Yeovil; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading security organization based in Yeovilton, UK, is seeking an experienced HQ Security Officer. This role is crucial for safeguarding organizational assets, including personnel and classified information. Responsibilities include serving as the Principal Security Advisor, overseeing security-related tasks, and ensuring compliance with NATO security policies. Candidates should possess a relevant university degree and at least two years of experience in a similar role. Join a dynamic team committed to international security and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience as a Security Officer in national military HQ or NATO.
• Experience in coordinating Personnel Security within military or NATO.
• Knowledge of NATO security policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Principal Security Advisor to Director JEWCS.
• Manage all security-related advice and priorities.
• Oversee Security Standing Orders and classification management.

Skills

Security qualifications

Communication skills

Organization

Attention to detail

Education

University Degree in criminology or related discipline

Higher Secondary education with vocational training in security

Job description

NATO SHAPE Cyberspace Operations Centre (CyOC) is currently recruiting for a proactive and experienced HQ Security Officer to join its detached branch, Joint Electromagnetic Warfare Core Staff (JEWCS), located in Yeovilton, United Kingdom. This role is key to the protection of NATO assets to include classified information, equipment and personnel. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to NATO’s mission in a diverse, fast‑paced, and truly international workplace. If you’re a security professional, organized, detail‑oriented, and ready to make an impact, we invite you to apply.

1. Post Context/Post Summary

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) provides an integrated Strategic Effects framework, employing a multi‑domain and multi‑region focus to create a 360‑degree approach, with the flexibility to enable, upon direction, a seamless transition from Baseline Activities and Current Operations (BACO) up to the Maximum Level of Effort (MLE). SHAPE supports SACEUR in fulfilling his terms of reference, as directed by the North Atlantic Council. The Cyberspace Directorate directs and coordinates all Cyberspace Operations (CO), Electromagnetic Warfare (EW), Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) activity and Communications and Information Systems (CIS) functional area activities and staff functions across ACO. The Cyberspace Operations Centre (CyOC) is NATO’s only Theatre Component for cyberspace, providing persistent, centralised and comprehensive cyberspace situational awareness, Command and Control (C2) and execution. The CyOC is within the SHAPE establishment but with different roles and responsibilities. As a branch of CyOC, JEWCS’s mission is to provide all NATO Commands and NATO Nations with Electromagnetic Warfare expertise, support and training at the tactical, operational and strategic levels for operations and exercises, and maintenance of the NATO Emitter Database (NEDB). The Electromagnetic Battle Staff (EMB) Support Branch supports NATO strategic and operational level to coordinate EW and electromagnetic operation (EMO) and associated capabilities. On order, this Branch constitutes an initial EMB in support of NATO exercise and operations. The Branch is also responsible to provide the Security staff (HQSO and CISSO) to JEWCS, which are part of the Intelligence Section.

Location: Yeovilton, United Kingdom

2. Principal Duties

1. Is the Principal Security Advisor (PSyA). Provides security related advice and the HQ security priorities to Director JEWCS. Due to JEWCS’s remote location, detached from SHAPE, also acts as Command Security Advisor (CSyA).
2. Reports to the Director of any change in the status of personnel, which may affect security. Examples are financial difficulties or personal misconduct.
3. Acts as the principal point of contact for all security violations within JEWCS.
4. Produce and maintain JEWCS’s Security Standing Orders.
5. Responsible for the application of NATO security policy requirements regarding:
   • Personnel Security.
   • Security Awareness, Training and Education.
   • Security of information.
   • Physical Security.
   • Security procedures.
6. Cooperates and supports CIS Security.
7. Maintains liaison with Host Nation and international intelligence security services.
8. Is responsible for Security classification management.
9. Chair of the JEWCS Security Committee.
10. Member of the JEWCS Information Knowledge Management Working Group.
11. Co‑ordinates JEWCS Public Relations activities. Coordinates all visits to JEWCS. Provides and manages Conference Services.

3. Special Requirements and Additional Duties

The employee may be required to perform a similar range of duties elsewhere within the organisation at the same grade without there being any change to the contract.

Such operational deployment may exceed 30 days duration up to 183 days in any period of 547 days and may be on short notice. Post requires average of 120 days of travel per year. For NATO International Civilian Staff, acceptance of an employment contract linked to this post constitutes agreement to deploy in excess of 30 days if required.

The work is normally performed in a Normal NATO office working environment.

Normal Working Conditions apply.

The risk of injury is categorised as No risk / risk might increase when deployed.

4. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

a. Professional/Experience

Minimum 2 years of experience in the following fields:

• National or NATO professional Security qualification
• Experience as a Security Officer in a national military HQ or NATO security staff appointment
• Experience of coordinating Personnel Security requirements within a national military or NATO position
• Experience with conducting Security Awareness, Training and Education in a national military or NATO position
• Experience of Security of Information, to include protecting classified information, in a national military or NATO position
• Experience with Physical Security, to include Industrial and Construction Security, in a national military or NATO position
• Broad experience in office communication and information systems

b. Education/Training

University Degree in criminology, police, public or business administration, administration of justice, criminal law, comparative general management, political theory, behavioural or social psychology or related discipline and 2 years function related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience.

In case of ambiguity the required job specific experience has priority over the standard education and training levels and experience described here.

c. Language

English – SLP 3333 – (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

5. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

a. Professional Experience

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in security related role in a NATO organization
• Extensive working knowledge NATO and/or ACO Security Policies
• Working knowledge of NATO and ACO CIS Security Policies

b. Education/Training

• Course: LOP‑LO‑2821 – NATO Joint Electronic Warfare Course
• Course: MPG‑MP‑2699 – NATO Security Course
• Course: CCC‑IM‑2678 – NATO Information Knowledge Management (IKM) Course

6. Attributes/Competencies

• Personal Attributes: The incumbent must be an articulate and persuasive individual that possesses tact and diplomacy. He/she must have a proven ability to work with no supervision and the ability to spontaneously identify issues in complex and/or technical situations. Incumbent is expected to be a proactive self‑starter. He/she is expected to possess keen perception and apply sound and flexible judgment. Incumbent must be able to deal with issues spanning a broad spectrum and treat matters with vision and confidentiality. The incumbent may be required to work outside normal office hours.
• Professional Contacts: The incumbent maintains regular contact with staffs from Nations, Industry, NATO Agencies, NATO HQ, SHAPE and its subordinate formations and senior security staff in NATO nations and International Organisations. Contacts are frequently at the OF5 level, and the incumbent is personally required to conduct briefings to collective audiences on the subject of technical topics, Security policies and regulations. In addition to this, he/she supports Security related boards/meetings with national representatives in order to support NATO exercises/missions. Overall, contacts and relations have to be established, have to be maintained and have to be worked to be beneficial to the organization while enabling and supporting the requirements of SHAPE / ACO.
• Contribution To Objectives: This post enables the timely and effective planning, implementation and maintenance of security elements of JEWCS to deliver a headquarter facility that meets the current and future security situation. In terms of ensuring the continued effective instigation of all aspects of security in JEWCS, the incumbent is central to achieving this objective. The incumbent will translate the traditional security aspects of document, physical and personnel security into the environment of the Command, this includes ensuring all aspects of Security during JEWCS exercises, which are deployment with personnel and equipment throughout NATO’s AOR.

REMARKS:

Duration of contract: The duration of post is currently envisioned only for 3 (three) years. Serving staff members will be offered a contract according to the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR). Newly recruited staff will be offered a definite duration contract of 3 (three) years.

The salary will be the basic entry‑level monthly salary defined by the NATO Grade of the post, which may be augmented by allowances based on the selected staff member’s eligibility, and which is subject to the withholding of approximately 20% for pension and medical insurance contributions.

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement, and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations.

Building integrity is a key element of NATO’s core tasks. As an employer, NATO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability in accordance with international norms and practices established for the defence and related security sector. Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.

Applicants who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment in another post of a similar nature, which might become vacant in the near future, albeit at the same or lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

We believe that all people are capable of great things. Because of this, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the criteria listed within this job description.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A NATO CIVILIAN POST AT SHAPE

Applications are to be submitted using NATO Talent Acquisition Platform (NTAP) ( https://nato.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl?lang-en ).

Applications submitted by other means (e.g. mail, e‑mail, fax, etc) are not accepted.

More information to be found on these links:

• 6 Tips for Applying to NATO
• Application Process

Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide original documentary evidence and a set of copies supporting statements in their applications. Appointment is subject to obtaining a NS security clearance and a medical certificate.

Remarks:

• a) Only nationals from the 32 NATO member states can apply for vacancies at SHAPE.
• b) Applications are automatically acknowledged within one working day after submission. In the absence of an acknowledgement please make sure the submission process is completed or re‑submit the application.
• c) Qualified redundant staff of the same grade interested in this post should inform this office, via their HR/Personnel Office by not later than vacancy’s closing date.
• d) NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial‑intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat GPT, or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.