May 27, 2021

Senior Operations Security Adviser

Location: London
Closing date 9 Jun 2021

We are seeking to recruit for a Senior Operational Security Adviser (SOSA) providing security advise and deployment support and support across FCDO AND SU. The role involves taking full responsibility for all aspects of the delivery of internationally-focused security advice on behalf of HSOT working with both internal and external stakeholders and managing a team of security advisers. Under the remit of providing comprehensive security advice to OCSM, applicants should expect to provide general security advice (including political-civilian-military advice) on areas where HSOT and OCSM have deployed personnel, as well as support the Security Team and wider HSOT and OCSM with analysis of ongoing and emerging conflicts.

This is a London based role, with the expectation of being able to deploy approximately/on an average every two months.

Key Responsibilities
Providing advice on risks and security arrangements, including political/civil and military advice for all HSOT and all OCSM consultants and staff overseas deployments
Lead HSOT’s operational security team, ensuring they remain appropriately trained, qualified, vetted and educated for their roles.
Maintain a high-quality contracted security advisory service to relevant parts of FCDO.
Produce and supervise the production of risk assessments and draft submissions that can be used to inform both risk owners and deploying staff of the risks and mitigations associated with deployments to medium and high-threat, locations
Ensure the delivery of concise and accurate verbal and written briefs to senior Civil Service and Palladium risk owners, including the drafting of security update notes and submissions.
Keep OCSM updated on security issues and trends affecting its deployments, to include a weekly duty-of-care briefing and weekly all-staff briefing
Providing pre and post deployment briefings to deployees where appropriate
Provide out of hours security advice and support to the Senior Leadership Team and deployee headcounts post-incident. Also, be prepared to work out of hours to support short-notice deployments.
Act as On-Call Security Advisor one weekend in four
Assure Hostile Environment Safety Training
Support the achievement of business development opportunities.

Requirements
Extensive experience of operating in hostile environments overseas
In-depth understanding of international security issues and current affairs and previous experience of providing security and safety advice for deployed personnel and infrastructure against a spectrum of threats.
Experience in producing written risk assessments under time pressure that reflect the realities faced by deployed staff.
High quality written and verbal communication skills; unambiguous and succinct when dealing with complex ideas.
Proven ability to synthesize information from multiple sources to provide effective security advice and assessments.
Ability to work to tight deadlines.
Able to anticipate operational safety requirements based on imperfect information and indicators – happy to embrace uncertainty and work with ambiguity.
Able to lead a small team working in a pressured environment with competing priorities; work both independently and as a team member.
Experience of project management would be advantageous
A working knowledge of relevant Health and Safety legislation would be an advantage.
Experience in the preparation and delivery of security & safety training, so enabling HEST assurance
Experience of client management and the provision of a contracted service is desirable.
Please note that applicants must already hold current UK government Security Check (SC) security clearance, and must be prepared to undergo clearance to Developed Vetting (DV) level. Current DV clearance would be an advantage but is not essential.

We actively encourage applicants looking for diverse working patterns to apply.

How to apply
Please apply by sending your CV to xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.com

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