Operational Security Advisor (OpSy) - Counter Terrorism Policing

West Midlands Police; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 57,000; Part time

Job summary

West Midlands Police is seeking an Operational Security Advisor (OpSy) within Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands CTU. Based at our offices near Birmingham International Airport, the role spans strategic direction, development and implementation of operational security across the CT PWM region.

The OpSy provides specialist covert law enforcement risk management, requiring extensive experience and qualifications.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of covert operational policing and covert tactics.
• Experience managing operational risk at a senior level.
• Knowledge of legislation, standards and force policy relevant to covert policing.
• 5+ years in a senior enforcement/security role with intelligence sources management.
• Working knowledge of IT hardware/software and data security.
• Highest integrity and ability to handle highly sensitive information.
• Excellent written and oral communication; proactive and decisive.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise workloads.
• Hold a current driving licence.
• Willingness to complete the OPSY advisor course and recertify every two years.

Responsibilities

• Advise on security, integrity and ethical conduct of covert/overt techniques and ensure standards comply with laws and policy.
• Review covert/overt methodologies to ensure standards are met across the organisation.
• Provide QA/inspection of covert/overt activity, reporting risks and improvements.
• Conduct independent risk assessments and thematic inspections of investigations and departments.
• Lead independent reviews of tradecraft and backstopping; produce timely risk reports.
• Work with the Authorising Officer to ensure proper authorisations and audits.
• Act as a central contact for compromises to covert/overt tactics.
• Coordinate risk assessments and travel documentation for foreign travel.
• Provide guidance on operational security for covert assets in legal contexts.
• Produce risk assessments for high-risk operations in the UK and overseas.
• Engage with national partners to share trends and operational risks.

Skills

Covert policing

Operational risk

Legislation & standards

Senior enforcement experience

IT security

Integrity & discretion

Communication

Work under pressure

Driver's license

OPSY course

Counter Terrorism Policing knowledge

Job description

Job Description

Closing Date: 15th October 2026, 23:59 PM

Salary: £52,194 - £57,186 (will be pro rata for part time)

Grade: 8

This role is a part time/job share permanent role, working Wednesday - Friday between 14-22hrs.

Counter Terrorism Policing is a collaboration of UK police forces working with the UK intelligence community to help protect the public and our national security by preventing, deterring and investigating terrorist activity. You will be based at our modern offices near to Birmingham International Airport. The Operational Security Advisor (OpSy) will Responsible for the strategic direction, development, and implementation of operational security across the CTP West Midlands (CTPWM) Region and in support of the wider CT network.

The OpSy will provide an independent source of specialist, covert law enforcement and risk management expertise by bringing a range of relevant skills, knowledge and experience to the role. The role requires a detailed knowledge and extensive experience around covert law enforcement, together with the management of risk at senior management team level.

Role responsibilities

• Advising on the security, integrity and ethical conduct of all covert/overt law enforcement techniques and tactics utilised, and implement and maintain consistency in the standards of security and practice in accordance with legislation, national guidelines and local policy.
• Reviewing covert/overt methodology, at all levels within the organisation, to ensure that standards and practices are met and maintained.
• Providing a Quality Assurance/Inspection & Review function in respect of covert/overt activity, operations, infrastructure, policy and procedures, promoting and maintaining the integrity of operational activity.
• Carrying out independent risk assessment/thematic inspections on covert/overt methodology within identified investigations and or departments, identifying areas of good practice or areas for development, including procedural or policy failures and the identification of training needs.
• Undertaking independent reviews and inspections with respect to tradecraft and backstopping to ensure appropriate risk assessments are being adopted by Covert functions, producing appropriate and timely reports and risk assessments.
• Working on behalf of the Authorising Officer to ensure that authorisations are quality controlled and appropriate audits are conducted.
• Providing a central point of contact for the oversight of all compromises to covert/overt tactics.
• Acting as a single point of contact for business related foreign travel and coordinate risk assessments and associated travel documentation.
• Providing oversight, advice and guidance for operational security for the use of covert assets and product within the criminal/civil legal systems.
• Producing written risk assessments for the organisation and/or senior management to assist in the process of authorising high-risk operations both within the United Kingdom and overseas.
• Engaging with partners and other professional bodies to provide CTPWM with an overview of national trends, operational risks and criminal proficiency that impact on operational security and the deployment of covert methodology.
• Liaising as required with NCTPHQ, HMIC, IPCO, the Office of Data Communications Commissioners, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, and the Criminal Cases Review Board, in respect of inspections, reviews and tribunals.
• Representing the organisation at all levels internally and externally with government agencies and law enforcement partners, both within the United Kingdom and internationally.
• Developing policies and standard operating procedures (SOP's) for the organisation, consulting with all stakeholders and understanding the fiscal implications of such policies or SOP's.

Essential Skills

• Extensive knowledge and experience of covert operational policing, including knowledge of all covert tactics available to law enforcement agencies.
• Experience in managing operational risk at a senior level.
• Knowledge and understanding of legislation, national standards and Force policy and how they apply to operational covert policing.
• At least five years working experience in a senior position within an enforcement/security environment with the ability to demonstrate knowledge and experience of the management of human and technical intelligence sources.
• Working knowledge of IT hardware and software, and be able to advise on the security of the digital data threat.
• Hold the highest standard of personal integrity and aptitude to digest complex operational plans, manage highly sensitive information within the government security classification guidelines and the operational credibility to influence key decisions at a senior level within the covert/overt law enforcement environment.
• Demonstrate effective communication both in writing and orally and the ability to exercise initiative within this specialist field.
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines, using their own initiative to prioritise workloads and progress issues.
• Must hold a current driver's license.
• Willing to and successfully complete the College of Policing (CoP) OPSY advisor licensed course and recertify this qualification every two years.

Desirable Skills

• The post holder will have a comprehensive understanding of Counter Terrorism Policing structures.

Security Clearance

This role requires British Nationality (some dual nationalities may be ineligible) and a Developed Vetting clearance.

You will need to undergo additional security clearance checks, with the offer of employment being conditional on obtaining all of the necessary security clearances.

There are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries once in post.

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion Vision: "Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities, whilst protecting them from harm"

We are a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a "Disability Confident Interview Scheme" - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

Advertisement Closing Date

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if the maximum volume of applications has been reached. Candidates with unsubmitted applications will not be informed prior to the advert closing.

Please do not attach a CV/covering letter as these will not be used during the application process.

About Us

Counter Terrorism Policing is a collaboration of UK police forces working with the UK intelligence community to help protect the public and our national security by preventing, deterring and investigating terrorist activity.

Join Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands CTU for a unique opportunity to play your part in keeping the West Midlands region safe. Every day offers a variety of exciting challenges and exceptional opportunities played out on a national and international stage.

Most of what we achieve may never see the light of day but be assured that we have the very best and brightest working around the clock in an effort to keep us all safe. These ordinary men and women do extraordinary things in an effort to thwart terrorist planning; to safeguard those who are at risk of radicalisation; to protect our critical national infrastructure, institutions and crowded places, and to pursue and bring terrorists to justice.

Our Counter Terrorism Unit aims to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are able to reach their full potential. With a range of roles available, you don't need a background in security and we are always looking for different skills and experiences to join our talented team.

Work with us and you will be joining a world-class Counter Terrorism Policing network.