Description 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 leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) Purpose of Role The primary role of SafeGuarding Services is to provide an integrated framework to: support an ethos of effective risk control to protect our staff, students, and others; and which protects University property and assets. provide competent 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’s values. ensure that the University has a modern SafeGuarding provision which meets its needs and enhances its reputation whilst supporting its strategic plans. react proportionately 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 its assets. Key Duties & Responsibilities Ensure that the University complies with relevant legislation in UK, UAE, Malaysia and other legal jurisdictions as deemed necessary Continually revitalise SafeGuarding processes by developing and delivering a modern and sector leading SafeGuarding management framework to encompass all of the University’s activities across all of its Campuses. Responsibility for leading the SafeGuarding Services, the management team and managing the budget. Advising the University Executive and the University Health and Safety Committees on all aspects of our SafeGuarding Policy and management framework Enhancing emergency planning and management by development of suitable processes to encompass the variances of circumstances at all University campuses Ensuring the continued development of the electronic systems that support and protect our staff and students at all our campuses and while travelling on University business. Developing and managing electronic systems for the management of SafeGuarding processes, 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 and appropriate authorities in Dubai and Malaysia Preparing an annual report of the University’s SafeGuarding performance for submission to the University Court Supporting the University’s values by delivery of an effective and efficient SafeGuarding service which ensures that the University can meet its statutory requirements. Provision of advice and guidance to Primary Organisational Units to underpin the application of the University SafeGuarding Management 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 initiatives in relation to Counterterrorism including CONTEST, 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 ensure a holistic approach for key stakeholders. Essential & Desirable Criteria Essential Educated to first degree level or equivalent (see link for details) or equivalent practical experience in the workplace Demonstrable experience of managing a team Demonstrable experience of managing resources, workloads and changing priorities for self and others Demonstrable experience of managing change Ability to operate in a complex global environment Demonstrable ability to work within a fast-changing environment Proven experience of dealing with and leading in uncertainty and ambiguity Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Excellent Influencing Skills Good track record of developing and maintaining positive working relationships with internal and external customers, peers, stakeholders and others Subject Matter Expert in a relevant discipline in one of the services provided by the team/Directorate Flexible and resilient Collaborative and proactive Desirable Experience managing SafeGuarding in a Higher Education environment Experience of developing electronic management systems Working knowledge of relevant legislation in Dubai and Malaysia Experience of leading a team Experience of leading change Project Management skills Experience of operating in a complex global environment How to Apply Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Tuesday 31 st March 2026. Please submit 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-Watt University 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-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/. Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to 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 and stewardship 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 core objective is to protect Heriot-Watt University's reputation, brand, values heritage and assets through maintaining compliance with standards (legislation, codes of practice, etc.) to enhance value. The Directorate reports to the Secretary of the University who is responsible for the overall administration of the University. The Directorate is led by the Global Director of Governance and Legal Services. The Governance and Legal Services Directorate comprises: Assurance and Legal Services Policy and Governance Information Governance SafeGuarding Services 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.