Navy Command SM-Dir Security Strategy Manager

Navy Command Headquarters (NCHQ) is the nerve centre of the Naval Service. It supports operations around the globe and provides the ships, people, aircraft and equipment to deliver the UK’s Defence policy. Civil Servants and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and exciting jobs in different subject areas. 

In Navy Command, our civil servants work alongside their military colleagues in jobs that matter; jobs which often have a direct impact on the quality of the operational capabilities we deliver.

Roles can offer great job satisfaction and there are many opportunities to develop and progress both within the Ministry of Defence and across the wider Civil Service.

The Submarine Directorate in Navy Command is responsible for all submarine in service capability and availability, including oversight of the Submarine Flotilla and Clyde and Devonport Naval Bases.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

The Security Strategy Manager for the Submarine Directorate will operate across the Directorate to identify and respond to opportunities to improve physical, information (including cyber) and personnel security. This is a strategic post which relies on building strong relationships with security specialists across the Directorate (e.g Deputy Heads of Clyde & Devonport Naval Bases, Naval Bases Security Advisor, Project Security Officers), with Navy Command (Principal Security Adviser team), the Defence Nuclear Organisation (enterprise security team) and other organisations within the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

The post-holder will have primary responsibility for producing and maintaining the security risk assessment and control strategy for the Submarine Directorate. In collaboration with key stakeholders, they will also be responsible for reviewing the Directorate operating model for security and making recommendations for improvements.

In coordination with key security posts within the Directorate, the post holder will support the Director Submarines in discharging his responsibilities to provide personal oversight at 2* level for security and resilience compliance and best practice, and the identification, reporting and mitigation of risk. This includes:

• Maintaining a positive culture for the security of all personnel, information and materiel – including visibly championing security across the Directorate.
• Implementing Navy Command’s (NC) Security and Resilience Strategy within the Directorate.
• Assessing and collating Directorate risks and reporting on a quarterly basis.
• Identifying, monitoring and addressing any shortcomings in meeting relevant statutory requirements in both MOD and NC specific security policy, managing the response within the appropriate NC risk appetite.
• Assuring the Second Sea Lord, as Command Security Officer, that relevant statutory requirements are being met and security policy is being managed effectively and efficiently throughout the Directorate.
• Ensuring Directorate personnel are ready to mitigate changes to the level and nature of security threat(s).
• Ensuring all Directorate projects have a Project Security Officer (PSyO) nominated and hold the Directorate PSyO register.

The post holder will also prepare input and briefing to support Director Submarines Chief of Staff (or other appointed individual) engagement at the Navy Command Security and Resilience Board (NCSRB) – an executive board responsible to the Navy Board for the protection of NC assets: people, information and equipment.

The post-holder will need to ensure that they remain up to date with security related developments, regulations (including nuclear security regulations) and best practice both within the department and externally.

The post will be based in Portsmouth NCHQ or London Main Building, with the expectation of regular travel between sites and occasional travel to other Defence locations including HMNB Clyde and Devonport.

The successful post-holder will:

• Develop and maintain a Directorate focused security risk & resilience assessment and control strategy, in support of Navy Command and Defence Nuclear Enterprise Risk Frameworks.

• Own the operating model for the security functions in the Directorate – in collaboration with key stakeholders, review and update to improve outcomes and align with policy updates and best practice.

• Undertake thematic assessment of security breaches and near misses and pursue opportunities to improve practice in the Directorate. Lead or support breach investigations, as required.

• Gather and maintain data on Directorate key security risk and resilience measures (e.g. including reporting and investigation of security incidents, security clearances of personnel, accredited ICT, rates of annual security awareness training, suitably qualified personnel in security posts).

• Provide briefing to the Director Submarines on security related issues – both routine and time critical. Provide briefing to the 2* Submarine Directorate Board. Provide briefing and support to the Chief of Staff (or other nominated individual) representing the Director Submarines at Navy Command Security and Resilience Board meetings.

• Act as Directorate SPOC for the Principal Security Advisers office, coordinating staffing for risks raised by the Directorate and responding to requests for information from wider NCHQ and the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

• Act as liaison for Project Security Officers for major Directorate Projects, in line with JSP440, liaising with Programme Directors and Programme Managers.

• Attend the Enterprise Security Working Group and Op R Risk and Security Working Group.

• Promote security resilience in the Directorate, including updates to MoD/ Navy security guidance and practice.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Risk understanding and mitigation (Practitioner)
• Legal and regulatory environment and compliance (Practitioner)
• Investigative Interviewing (Practitioner)

• 25 days annual leave per annum, increasing by 1 leave day per full year of employment to a maximum of 30 days leave
• 8 days public holiday entitlement plus 1 privilege day 
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

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.  

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Job contact :

• Name : Lorna Shore
• Email : lorna.shore101@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk