Senior Specialist Security Advisor – Enhanced Hazard Materials (EHM)

Job summary

We are seeking a Security Advisor to provide specialist security assurance for the management and control of regulated chemical, biological and other sensitive materials. Working across the organisation, you will ensure compliance with internal controls and regulatory requirements that support our licence to operate.

The role involves engaging with senior stakeholders, regulators and external partners to deliver a consistent, proportionate approach to security assurance, while providing expert advice on the security of controlled drugs and other designated materials. You will play a key role in governance and assurance activities, helping to safeguard critical assets, maintain regulatory compliance and support the organisation's operational objectives.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Job description

In this role, you will be responsible for providing specialist security assurance for sensitive and regulated materials, ensuring that they are managed securely and in accordance with relevant policies, regulatory requirements and internal controls. You will lead the delivery of security assurance activities across the organisation, helping to maintain compliance and support the organisation's licence to operate.

Working across a range of business areas, you will plan and conduct security audits and assurance reviews covering all aspects of the lifecycle of controlled materials. This will include assessing controls relating to acquisition, storage, access management, transportation, risk management, incident handling and disposal, while identifying opportunities for improvement and supporting the implementation of best practice.

You will work closely with senior leaders, operational teams, regulators and external partners to provide expert advice on security requirements and emerging risks. The role will involve monitoring and reporting on security risks, supporting governance activities and ensuring that appropriate security measures are in place to protect critical assets, infrastructure and facilities.

For more information on the job responsibilities, please see the job profile attached below.

Person specification

We are looking for a security professional with a degree in Chemistry, Biological Sciences, or a related discipline, together with experience gained in a security, assurance, compliance or technical role within the defence, security or industrial sectors.

You will have a strong understanding of security risk management within regulated or high-consequence environments and be able to demonstrate experience of influencing stakeholders across organisational boundaries to achieve effective security outcomes. You should be confident interpreting legislation and policy and translating requirements into practical processes and assurance activities.

More for information on the essential criteria for the job, please see the job profile attached below.

Important Information:

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats.

For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require Developed Vetting and you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Individuals within DSTL who hold dual nationality and currently hold the required clearance level may apply. If found suitable for the role further security discussions will need to take place before a formal offer can be made.

Qualifications

Chemistry/Biological sciences degree or equivalent

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Experience in a security or related technical role across the Defence, security or Industry employment spectrum.
• Knowledge of UK and International legislation relating to EHM

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £62,261, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £18,037 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme. Option to join Vivup Benefits Payment scheme

• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours, job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.