Physical Security Manager

Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.

Digital, Data, Technology and Security (DDTS) is the trusted team for digital across the entire Defra Group.

We have around 1000 colleagues across DDTS and our ambition is to make it easier and faster than ever for people to interact with Defra. If you are ready to drive innovation and push boundaries, we want to hear from you. Join us and together we will create a great place for living, and a green and healthy future for all.

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The Defra Group Security function within Digital, Data Technology and Security (DDTS) is looking for a Physical Security Manager. Defras responsibilities are broad. We manage high-level risks including flooding, air quality, animal and plant diseases, and CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) incidents, and our estate is equally diverse.

In this role you will play a vital role in helping the Defra group create safe, secure spaces for our staff and assets, leading on tier 2 operational delivery of physical security matters for the Defra group.

Working with the Head of Physical Security and colleagues across Defra group to ensure appropriate policy and procedures for the discipline are in place. You will act as a point of contact for the business facilitating operational implementation and assuring compliance with government security standards to provide a safe and secure work environment for colleagues.

The Physical Security Manager ensures that security controls are risk-informed, proportionate, and effective. You will work closely with our estates stakeholders, business units and Arms Length Bodies to ensure security risks are identified, assessed and addressed.

Please note this post requires Security Check (SC) clearance. To gain (SC) clearance all applicants are required to have been a UK resident for a minimum of 5 years. If this requirement is not met, the individual will not be able to progress their application further.

Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with business units, workplace services, estates, and our industry partners to ensure security measures are practical and do not hinder business operations.
• Conduct physical security risk assessments and give guidance on implementing necessary controls.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with government and relevant best practise security standards and legislation.
• Review and advise on security mitigations developed by external contractors to assure Defra group risk owners to achieve the required security effect.
• Produce effective physical security survey and assurance reports as part of supporting risk informed decision making that reduces vulnerabilities across the Defra estate.
• Line management of 2 geographically remote HEO Officers.

Skills and Experience:

• Comprehensive understanding and practical capability to interpret, assess, and apply government physical security, National Technical Standards, and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) measures across a functionally complex estate to manage a range of risks.
• Demonstrated experience of conducting Threat Vulnerability Risk Assessments (TVRA) on built assets from a broad range of hostile actors and operational contexts. The ability to apply a risk-informed adversarial mindset.
• Experience of leading the response to time critical incidents and working with Ministerial Private Offices, and other senior officials across government.
• Competent communications skills with the ability to engage effectively in writing, verbally, and through presentations, including developed emotional intelligence skills to communicate sensitive messages with tact and diplomacy.
• Knowledge of how to develop and deploy effective risk mitigation measures, and set out the performance characteristics of physical security systems (e.g., CCTV, access control, intrusion detection) that are tailored to the specific threats and vulnerabilities identified during physical security surveys.
• Membership of the Security Institute or equivalent experience, and willingness to complete the SFJ Level 3 Award in Counter Terrorism, Protective Security and Preparedness qualification.
• 3 years experience in a similar people leadership position.

The Civil Service marks each element of the selection process on a merit basis. You can visit the gov.uk website for further information on the Civil Service rating scale.