Description
The Head of Physical and Personnel Security is the senior specialist lead for physical and personnel security within DVSA, responsible for leading the development, implementation and assurance of protective security arrangements across physical security, personnel security, vetting and related resilience capabilities.
Operating across DVSA and with wider government security partners, the role provides expert advice to senior leaders and relevant governance forums, supporting a proportionate, risk-based protective security model that enables DVSA to protect its people, assets, information and services in a complex and evolving threat environment.
The post holder will translate central government policy and Government Security Profession expectations into effective organisational practice, support assurance against relevant government standards, and contribute to a strong, professional and security-minded culture across DVSA.
Responsibilities:
- Act as deputy to the Head of Cyber Security on protective security matters, representing DVSA at senior governance forums and providing expert advice to Executive Team members and Directors on significant security risks and incidents.
- Act as DVSA’s senior specialist lead for physical and personnel security, leading the development and implementation of protective security strategy and controls across physical security, personnel security, vetting and resilience capabilities.
- Lead DVSA’s personnel security and vetting capability, ensuring effective end-to-end processes, proportionate decision making and alignment with organisational risk appetite.
- Manage effective working relationships with DfT, UKSV, Cabinet Office, Government Security Function and other departments to support policy implementation, operational improvement and professional practice.
- Provide expert leadership for physical security, incident management and resilience, ensuring arrangements are threat-informed, risk-based and proportionate to DVSA’s operating environment.
- Oversee development and implementation of resilience and recovery arrangements.
- Drive continuous improvement and foster a security-minded culture across DVSA.
- Provide strong, visible and expert leadership across physical and personnel security disciplines, acting as the senior specialist point of authority within the role’s defined remit.
Requirements:
- Leading integrated protective security arrangements across physical security, personnel security, vetting and resilience; setting direction, developing others, influencing senior stakeholders, supporting change and embedding a professional, security-minded culture.
- Identifying, assessing, treating, monitoring and reporting protective security risks, escalating risks where appetite or tolerance is exceeded, and using assurance activity to test control effectiveness.
- Experience interpreting threat, vulnerability and risk information and translating it into practical security priorities, mitigations and advice for senior leaders, operational teams and governance forums.
Benefits:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.