Role:Interim Head of SafeGuarding Services
Grade and Salary: Grade 9, £58,225 - £69,488 per annum
FTE and working pattern: 1FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday – Friday
Contract: Fixed Term, 14 Months
Holiday Entitlement:33 days annual leaveplus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)
Purpose of Role
The primary roleofSafeGuardingServices is to provide an integrated frameworkto:
* support an ethos of effective risk control to protect our staff,students,and others; and which protects University property andassets.
* providecompetent advice to the University Executive in support of the development and application of a safety and security management framework which ensures that the University can meet its statutory requirements and contributes to the University’svalues.
* ensure that the University has a modernSafeGuardingprovision which meets its needs and enhances its reputation whilst supporting its strategicplans.
* reactproportionately to threats to the University’s business processes by provision of robust emergency planning and management framework which protects the University’s population and secures itsassets.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
* Ensure that the Universitycomplies withrelevant legislation in UK, UAE,Malaysiaand other legaljurisdictionsasdeemednecessary
* Continually revitaliseSafeGuardingprocessesby developing and delivering a modern and sector leadingSafeGuardingmanagement framework to encompassall ofthe University’s activities acrossallofitsCampuses.
* Responsibility for leading theSafeGuardingServices, the management team andmanagingthebudget.
* Advising the University Executive and the University Health and Safety Committees on all aspects of ourSafeGuardingPolicyand management framework
* Enhancingemergency planning and management by development of suitable processes to encompass the variances of circumstances at all University campuses
* Ensuringthe continueddevelopment of the electronic systemsthat support and protect our staff and students at all our campuses and while travelling onUniversitybusiness.
* Developing and managing electronic systems for the management ofSafeGuardingprocesses, delivery of e-learning programmes and establishment of a robust and interactive SharePoint presence on the University Intranet.
* Liaising with internal and external agencies (for example Police Scotland, NCTSO, insurers) on security matters on behalf of the University, within the UK andappropriate authoritiesin Dubai and Malaysia
* Preparing an annual report of the University’sSafeGuardingperformance for submission to theUniversityCourt
* Supporting the University’s values by delivery of an effective and efficientSafeGuardingservicewhich ensures that the University can meet its statutory requirements.
* Provision of advice and guidance toPrimary Organisational Unitsto underpin the application of the UniversitySafeGuardingManagement System within their own areas of responsibility.
* Support an ethos of risk control to protect our staff, students, and others and which protects the University community,assets,and reputation.
* Implementation of the University initiativesin relation toCounterterrorismincludingCONTEST,PREVENT and Martyn’s Law
* Represent the University on national and international strategy groups related to security, as appropriate
* Work closely with Health & Safety Services to ensureaholistic approachfor key stakeholders.
Essential & Desirable Criteria
Essential
1. Educatedtofirstdegree level or equivalent(seelinkfor details)or equivalent practical experience in the workplace
2. Demonstrable experience of managing a team
3. Demonstrable experience of managing resources, workloads and changing priorities for self and others
4. Demonstrable experience of managing change
5. Ability tooperatein a complex global environment
6. Demonstrable abilityto work within a fast-changing environment
7. Proven experience of dealing with and leading in uncertainty and ambiguity
8. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
9. Excellent Influencing Skills
10. Goodtrack recordof developing andmaintainingpositive working relationships with internal and external customers, peers,stakeholdersand others
11. Subject Matter Expert in a relevant disciplinein one of the services provided by the team/Directorate
12. Flexible and resilient
13. Collaborative and proactive
Desirable
1. Experience managing SafeGuarding in a Higher Education environment
2. Experience of developing electronic management systems
3. Working knowledge of relevant legislation in Dubai and Malaysia
4. Experience of leading a team
5. Experience of leading change
6. Project Management skills
7. Experience of operating in a complex global environment
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted up to midnight(UK time)onTuesday 31st March 2026.
Pleasesubmit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment.
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options.
Heriot-WattUniversity is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-WattUniversity values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our websitehttps://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htmand also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careershttps://disc.hw.ac.uk/.
Use our total rewards calculator:https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htmto see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
About the Team
The Governance and Legal Services Directorate supports sound, effective and accountable decision making andstewardship of the University's resources and reputation. The team aims to deliver, enhance and adapt an effective and sustainable governance framework upholding the rights and obligations of all stakeholders, including international stakeholders. Our coreobjectiveis to protect Heriot-Watt University's reputation, brand, valuesheritageand assets throughmaintainingcompliance with standards (legislation, codes of practice, etc.) to enhance value.
The Directorate reports to the Secretary of the University whois responsible forthe overall administration of the University. The Directorate is led by the Global Director of Governance and Legal Services.
The Governance and Legal Services Directoratecomprises:
* Assuranceand Legal Services
* Policy and Governance
* Information Governance
* SafeGuardingServices
* Health & Safety
About Heriot-Watt University
At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
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