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High Classification Services Officer

  • Public sector
  • London
  • 22/04/2025
  • £37,480.00 - £40,170.00 /yearly
  • Permanent
Job expired!

Job Overview

Location

London

Job Type

Permanent

Salary

£37,480 - £40,170 yearly

Date Posted:

22/04/2025

Expiration date:

06/05/2025

Additional Detail

Job ID

24994

Work Location

Office-based

Job Description

Location: Please be aware that due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate must be contractually based in London office and cannot be based in any other Defra location.
 
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (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.
 
Government security is undergoing a step change, and now is an exciting time to get involved. The security profession has an increasingly important role to play in a more digital world - the vision is to create an energetic, forward-thinking and technically proficient profession for government that leads the way in balancing security risks with the delivery of cost-effective, high-quality services. If you share our vision, and 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.
 
Defra's specialist security function is expanding the ability for its staff to work more securely and conduct business overseas whilst protecting themselves and departmental information.  

Overview

We are currently recruiting for a Security STRAP & Rosa to support senior management in delivering a robust security function capable of protecting Defra from a wide range of threats.

In Defra you will be a subject matter expert, playing a key security role at the heart of the department.  The role will focus on two key security areas: the provision of Secret level working capability within Defra and the provision of Top Secret and above capability.  You will be the lead point of contact for Defra business units and individuals seeking advice and solutions in relation to a wide range of secure communication risks and issues.

You will be responsible to Defra's Security Adviser, through the High Classification Services Lead for the running, management and delivery of all Top Secret and above facilities, including ensuring the application process for access is smooth, including liaison with the Protective Security Centre STRAP team and Service Operations Centre (SOC).  

In this post you will be responsible for ensuring that the process for applying for ROSA accounts, phones and laptops is smooth and easily understood by Defra staff who need it. This includes working with the finance team to facilitate cross-charging and working with the Cabinet Office team to articulate Defra's requirements and funding position.

The role will work across boundaries to influence and build strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholder groups that include functions, management units, Arm's Length Bodies, Government Security Clusters (GSeC), Technical Authorities and the Intelligence Agencies and representatives.

Please note that this post requires candidates to hold valid Security Check (SC) clearance. If this requirement is not met, the individual will not be able to progress their application further.

Additionally, the successful candidate must be prepared to go through the Developed Vetting (DV) process to remain in the role and successfully pass a STRAP application process.  

Responsibilities

  • Problem solving in a complex environment, across multiple stakeholders requiring significant judgement and the highest briefing standards, both written and face to face. As well as be able to manage time and priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to diplomatically engage with very senior members of the organisation to ensure that security rules are followed.
  • Ability to take a cross-government approach, considering the impact of your decisions in the broadest of settings.
  • Ability to form excellent relationships within Defra and with the wider security community including teams, the UK Intelligence Community and National Technical Authorities.
  • Managing a diverse workload, and, with managerial support, able to prioritise effectively.
  • Performing effectively to deadlines, maintaining focus in challenging situations and adapting to find solutions that meet the needs of stakeholders.
  • Comprehensive understanding of the current and new STRAP manual; the standard that all Departments that access STRAP material are bound by. The role holder must be able to interpret and apply the standard to all applications and requests for access to information and STRAP enclaves.
  • Strong planning and organisational skills to develop and implement security policies, procedures, contingency plans and support high-level meetings/briefings.

Skills and Experience

  • Experience of maintaining or building highly secure environments.
  • Knowledge of holistic security principles and experience of working in high security environment.
  • Project Management. 
  • Ability to solve complex problems in high-pressure environments, collaborating with multiple stakeholders while exercising sound judgment and maintaining hight standards of communication. 
  • Experienced in managing time and prioritising tasks to meet tight deadlines and deliver results in fast-paced environments in protecting highly classified material.
        

Selection process

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.

Ensure you have tailored your CV and your Personal Statement to the 'responsibilities' and 'skills and experience' section of the job advert by providing examples on how you are suitable for the role.  You may find the STAR method helpful when writing your personal statement.

For further information on STAR, you can check out our hints and tips document.

Application

As part of the application process, you will be assessed on your experience and will be asked to complete:

  • A CV.
  • A 500-word Personal Statement: Referring to the 'skills and experience' sections of the job advert, please demonstrate how you are suitable for the role by providing relevant examples.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

Sift will begin shortly after the advert closes.

Should there be a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted using your Personal Statement.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment or interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Interview

If successful at sift stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the Behaviours listed below. 

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.

Interview dates are to be confirmed. Please note that these may be subject to change.

Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

For further information on Success Profiles, please use the links below and watch our videos on Defra Jobs.

Behaviours 

Experience

Qualifications

SC clearance

Behaviours

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

  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Managing a Quality Service

Alongside your salary of £37,480, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £10,857 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
  • 25 days' leave (rising to 30 days over 5 years) plus bank holidays.
  • Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%.
  • A day off per year for the King's birthday.
  • Access to a range of retail discounts (these include supermarket, tech, gym, holiday, phone and more).
  • Flexible working options such as condensed hours, part-time and flexi time.
  • 3 paid volunteering days per year.
  • Funding for professional membership of a recognised professional body.
  • Learning and development tailored to your role and budget for training or qualifications.
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
  • Cycle to work scheme.
  • Health cash plan to help you manage health costs for a reduced monthly fee.
  • Access to the Employee Assistance Programme open 24 hours, 7 days a week, that provides support to you during any times of stress or difficulty.
  • Free access to Headspace for well-being.
  • Season ticket loan for public transport.

Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)

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 and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

For further information on the selection process for this role, please refer to the person specification section of the job advert.

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Location 

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).

Where the location is 'National' the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra's location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Please be aware that due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate must be contractually based in London office and cannot be based in any other Defra location. 

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

NSV

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

  • Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
  • Complete the 'Assistance required' section in the 'Additional requirements' page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

Internal fraud database check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the internal fraud database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to DEFRA 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

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 developed vetting (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.

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

Recruitment team

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected]

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here

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