Merville Barracks, Colchester, CO2 7UT Job Summary The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, with responsibility for an annual budget of over £10bn, the Army is a major part of the Ministry of Defence and one of its largest operating centres who employ around 12,000 Civil Servants located at over 300 locations supporting the 110K regular and reserve soldiers across the Army. This Civil Service workforce is diverse, with many different functions and professions ranging from police officers, security guards, trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. HQ Colchester Garrison, comprising Regular Army, Civil Servants and Army Reservists, is responsible to HQ Centre for enabling the delivery of the Firm Base support to the Army. The Firm Base is the Army infrastructure that supports the Lived Experience of our Service Personnel and their families who live there, enabling the Army to live, work and deliver. The HQ delivers Real Life Support to Units within Colchester Garrison. It is also responsible for engagement with the civilian community, employers and assists HQ Centre as the lead for UK Resilience in times of need. Under Firm Base Transformation HQ Colchester Garrison will develop to be a Joint Military Command (JMC) Centre Hub delivering regional support services and assuming the Head of Establishment function from deployable Army units. This is an exciting time in HQ Colchester Garrison, as we evolve and continue to deliver firm base outputs to our units, military personnel, and their families. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. This position is required to be onsite full-time. This role is currently being reviewed under Firm Base Transformation, which will create an effective, affordable organisation to deliver Firm Base outputs. Job Description The Establishment Security Officer is responsible for managing all areas of Security for a Ministry of Defence (MOD) site, the home of 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, the UK’s Global Rapid Response Force. You will provide objective and evidential assessment of credible threats and risks to help define our organisations risk appetite and support the selection of proportional risk mitigation measures that optimise our established Physical Security Measures, while researching and advising on the implementation of innovative technologies in accordance with relevant MOD and Army policy. The Establishment Security Officer leads a team of two and you will ensure the correct security posture across offices, sites and facilities, and maintain operational preparedness for security incidents. You will be involved in assisting with Business Continuity and risk management and be asked to provide informed opinions on security risk, as well as assisting with maintenance of site resilience. The role will require you to provide a spectrum of Security support, guidance, advice and assurance across a large Military Garrison estate. Key Responsibilities: Serve as the Site Security Officer, maintaining compliance with MOD protective security policy and procedures. Conduct regular risk assessments, audits, and security briefings to ensure effective threat mitigation. Manage site access control systems, local vetting procedures, pass issuance, and visitor management. Act as liaison with Defence Security, Counter-Intelligence units, police forces, and other agencies. Coordinate security incidence response, investigations, and reporting, which may include terrorism, crime, cyber, natural disaster and health/medical incidents. Provide security advice and training to staff and embedded contractors. Lead the development and implementation of the Establishment Security Plan. Responsible for security in a PFI (Private Finance Initiative) environment, working and liaising with contractors on site. Chair the Operational Security Group (OSG) Monthly meeting, producing agenda, tracker and Record of Decisions. You will advise on the carriage of arms, ammunition and explosives in accordance with policy. Authority Line Manager for two Sodexo office support staff. Please note: This list is not exhaustive. You will be required to complete the following mandatory training within 6 months of appointment: Defence Establishment Security Officer (DESyO) Personnel Vetting Records Officer (PVRO) If you are looking for an opportunity to grow your knowledge, develop your understanding, whilst working in an inclusive organisation, then this is the role for you. The Establishment Security Officer is responsible for managing all areas of Security for a Ministry of Defence (MOD) site, the home of 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, the UK’s Global Rapid Response Force. You will provide objective and evidential assessment of credible threats and risks to help define our organisations risk appetite and support the selection of proportional risk mitigation measures that optimise our established Physical Security Measures, while researching and advising on the implementation of innovative technologies in accordance with relevant MOD and Army policy. The Establishment Security Officer leads a team of two and you will ensure the correct security posture across offices, sites and facilities, and maintain operational preparedness for security incidents. You will be involved in assisting with Business Continuity and risk management and be asked to provide informed opinions on security risk, as well as assisting with maintenance of site resilience. The role will require you to provide a spectrum of Security support, guidance, advice and assurance across a large Military Garrison estate. Key Responsibilities: Serve as the Site Security Officer, maintaining compliance with MOD protective security policy and procedures. Conduct regular risk assessments, audits, and security briefings to ensure effective threat mitigation. Manage site access control systems, local vetting procedures, pass issuance, and visitor management. Act as liaison with Defence Security, Counter-Intelligence units, police forces, and other agencies. Coordinate security incidence response, investigations, and reporting, which may include terrorism, crime, cyber, natural disaster and health/medical incidents. Provide security advice and training to staff and embedded contractors. Lead the development and implementation of the Establishment Security Plan. Responsible for security in a PFI (Private Finance Initiative) environment, working and liaising with contractors on site. Chair the Operational Security Group (OSG) Monthly meeting, producing agenda, tracker and Record of Decisions. You will advise on the carriage of arms, ammunition and explosives in accordance with policy. Authority Line Manager for two Sodexo office support staff. Please note: This list is not exhaustive. You will be required to complete the following mandatory training within 6 months of appointment: Defence Establishment Security Officer (DESyO) Personnel Vetting Records Officer (PVRO) If you are looking for an opportunity to grow your knowledge, develop your understanding, whilst working in an inclusive organisation, then this is the role for you. Person specification This role would suit an individual with confidence, who can exercise good judgement, knowledge, and evidence, providing accurate, timely and practical advice and direction whilst sharing knowledge and experience. You will learn new skills whilst working at pace, as the HQ establishes itself in its new role. Essential Skills Required: A motivated individual, who is an effective communicator, organised and can work well both autonomously and in a team. Interpersonal/communication skills in order to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to engender trust, cooperation and buy in. Ability to deliver effective written and verbal briefs up to senior level. Ability to communicate technical security standards to other technical teams and mediate in any conflicts between security policy and technical implementations. Leadership and management skills, with the ability to mentor, motivate and drive the performance of the Security team remit and outputs. The capacity and capability to apply good judgement and respond to complex, dynamic situations. A high degree of resilience and personal credibility, and confidentiality. Together with enthusiasm and commitment to deliver. Experience of managing and delivering projects within taut time frames, budgetary limitations and the ability to undertake effective audits of security. Desirable Skills: Experience in a security and business continuity role. Experience of managing response to major incidents and crisis including terrorism, crime, cyber, natural disaster and health/medical incidents. Have current knowledge of developments in security practices or capabilities and are competent at evaluating the strength and weaknesses of security systems and technologies. Provide the customer with clear advice on security risk exposure across the business area and advise practical cost-effective mitigation measures. Provide managers with assistance in establishing the primary and secondary causes of security incidents within their areas of responsibility. Ability to discuss the scope of the assurance review, inspection or audit with the recipient manager and provide persuasive oral briefing of outcomes on completion. Experience of working in an energetic and ambitious environment. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Changing and Improving Communicating and Influencing Leadership Making Effective Decisions Working Together We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Changing and Improving Communicating and Influencing Alongside your salary of £36,530, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,582 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance. Other Benefits For Army Civil Servants Include: 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service Highly competitive pension scheme Personal and professional development of skills Alternative working patterns for many roles Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Enhanced parental and adoption leave 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities Learning and Development On-site parking is available Access to on-site Gymnasium Access to Pay as You Dine facilities We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role. A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career. The post does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts. Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments. MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Candidates will be required to provide a Personal Statement. (500 words) At application stage you will be assessed against your personal statement and the following: Changing & Improving Communicating & Influencing Where a large number of applications are received, an initial sift will be conducted based on the evidence you provide in support of the lead behaviour - Communicating & Influencing. You Personal Statement and behaviour - Changing & Improving will only be reviewed if you are successful at this initial sift. At interview stage you will be assessed against the following behaviours: Leadership Making Effective Decisions Working Together Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed and will be held in person. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs. Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk. As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment. The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact : Name : Jayne Ashby Email : Jayne.Ashby532@mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.uk Further information Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.