Senior Personnel Security Advisor

National Physical Laboratory (NPL); Teddington; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Benefits package

Job summary

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is seeking a Senior Personnel Security Advisor to lead strategic development and day-to-day management of personnel security risks. The role requires ensuring compliance with government standards, IPSA, and implementing security measures, with a focus on intelligence-led risk mitigation.

You will oversee vetting, aftercare, and a multi-source intelligence capability while collaborating with HR and security teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in team and personal management and leadership.
• Understanding of threats and risks in government and critical national infrastructure environments.
• Familiarity with MOD e.g., JSP 440, IPSA, NPSA and HMG defence requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop operational procedures to close security gaps in line with the NPL strategy.
• Lead on all personnel security matters, including investigations and aftercare initiatives.
• Maintain knowledge of vetting and aftercare procedures, manage and develop vetting function.
• Lead personnel security assurance, risk and compliance activities with stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate across the business to develop training materials and education on security culture.
• Maintain expertise in legislation and national standards, embedding requirements into policies.
• Manage relationship with travel security provider and mitigate risks.

Skills

Leadership

Security risk assessment

Threat analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Team management

Policy compliance

Presentation skills

Tools

JSP 440

IPSA

NPSA Maturity Model

BPSS oversight

Job description

Senior Personnel Security Advisor

Put simply, we set the standards by which everything is measured. In doing so, the National Physical Laboratory is helping to combat issues on a global scale such as climate change, curing diseases and the development of cutting-edge communications technology. Our people are our greatest asset, no matter where our people are, when they are on our premises, they have the right to feel safe and secure and work in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Senior Personnel Security Advisor

Put simply, we set the standards by which everything is measured. In doing so, the National Physical Laboratory is helping to combat issues on a global scale such as climate change, curing diseases and the development of cutting-edge communications technology. Our people are our greatest asset, no matter where our people are, when they are on our premises, they have the right to feel safe and secure and work in an environmentally sustainable manner.

As a member of the Corporate Security team, you will be accountable for the strategic development and day to day management of Personnel Security risks, compliance with government standards, IPSA and implementation of security measures and development of the intelligence capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop operational procedures to address gaps in security performance in line with the NPL security strategy whilst considering the developing operating model, emerging culture and the diverse nature of the business whilst ensuring audience engagement
• Support the Head of Security by leading on all personnel security matters, including aftercare initiatives, investigations and travel risk to the business
• Maintain a working knowledge of vetting and aftercare procedures whilst managing the performance and potential of NPL’s vetting function, building a highly motivated, customer focused and performing team
• Lead personnel security assurance, risk and compliance activities, coordinating stakeholder engagement and assurance processes to drive continuous improvement, minimise risk and protect NPL's reputation
• Work collaboratively across the business to support with development of training materials and delivery of education to support with cultural enhancements.
• Maintain expertise in relevant legislation, contractual obligations and national, government and industry security standards, ensuring requirements are effectively embedded within security policies, procedures and practices
• Manage NPL's relationship with its travel security provider, maximising value, enhancing traveller safety and ensuring appropriate risk mitigation

About You

• Ability to work in small teams, in highly sensitive and specialised areas across diverse projects. Experience in team and personal management and leadership.
• Experience of cross-security domain approaches and solutions to support the current and future business plans. Capable of presenting to a wide range of internal and external audiences.
• Understanding of threats and risks in a government, mission and critical national infrastructure environment.
• Experience of MOD e.g., JSP 440 & IPSA, NPSA Personnel Security Maturity Model, HMG regulations and other departmental requirements for defence and National Security.
• A good working knowledge of Personnel Security risk assessment processes and ability to identify a proportionate set of Security controls aligned with business objectives.
• In depth assessment of creation of new capabilities, specifically around development of an internal, multi-source intelligence cell for use in provision of risk based, intelligence led solutions to business operations.
• Supporting other Security capabilities, e.g. Information and Cyber Security, in creation of training and culture material and programmes. Engaging with the HR People Team on pre-employment screening and BPSS oversight.
• To act in the role of SME, supporting the Head of Security, in all aspects of Personnel and People Security.

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.

However, to work in this role in the Corporate Security team, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance. Not holding an SC at time of offer may require the joining period to be extended.

About Us

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we hold memberships and accreditations to ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome, please see our Diversity & Inclusion page.

We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of benefits. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success.

To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.