
High Classification Services Officer
- Public sector
- London
- 22/04/2025
- £37,480.00 - £40,170.00 /yearly
- Permanent
Location
Job Type
Salary
Date Posted:
Expiration date:
Job ID
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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.
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.
As part of the application process, you will be assessed on your experience and will be asked to complete:
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.
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
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.
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:
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.This job is broadly open to the following groups:
Microsoft PowerPoint - Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 2854kB)
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