DIO - Ministry of Defence Guard Service - Area Operations Manager - Whitehall

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Join the Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) to protect Defence from threats such as crime, terrorism, espionage, and sabotage by providing the highest quality of security services through professionalism, excellence, and trust.
We are looking for a Security Area Operations Manager to join our Gold Standard Security Service and play a crucial role to the business requiring resilience, alertness, and organisational skills. Due to the nature of the role and its high-profile locations, it is essential that our Security Operations Manager has a strong work ethic, great teamwork, customer service, communication, and management skills. We are looking for individuals who are willing to go above and beyond to support and manage security operations across the Defence estate. If you can demonstrate this from past or current experiences, we want to hear from you and see this detailed in your CV.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week., 2. Vigilance and Preparedness – Keep careful watch for risks and incidents. Be ready to act.
3. Professionalism – Know the job thoroughly. Seek continuous improvement. Maintain high standards.
4. Helpfulness - Always be ready to assist people. Leave a lasting positive impression.
5. Teamwork – Working with colleagues who are collaborative, respectful, open and trustworthy, who are passionate about excellence and protecting Defence.
There are plenty of opportunities for development, access to funded professional qualifications and specialist training. We are a growing organisation with opportunities to progress your security careers and if you align with our Values, we’d love to hear from you!
For more information about MGS, please take a look at Defence Infrastructure Organisations Youtube Page using the links below:
How the Defence Infrastructure Organisation Supports Defence - https://youtu.be/pqbLRsS9SeM
Working for the Ministry of Defence Guard Service - https://youtu.be/UrLfy2MZXpg

Person specification
1. Personnel
+ Ensure that all managers are given development guidance and opportunities and where necessary ensure performance and behavioural issues are dealt with promptly.
+ Maintain an appropriate level of visibility within the AOR and implement good communication regimes.
+ Act as a Decision maker and Investigating manager in cases of serious misconduct.
+ Deal promptly with complaints.
+ Act as the delegated authority for the use of Overtime within AOR.
+ Handle HR casework as a matter of priority, for example, acting as Decision Manager (DM) in grievance and serious misconduct cases, promote and engage in informal resolution of harassment and bullying cases in accordance with JSP 763, provide counsel to OMs on misconduct issues. Act as Investigation Manager if required.
+ After the Line Manager (LM) has consulted with the appropriate medical and HR authorities, personally endorse any Reasonable Adjustments for personnel whose disability falls within the Equality Act where there is a potential impact on delivery of normal business. The line manager remains responsible for initiating reasonable adjustments for staff and should use the Reasonable Adjustments Team to inform the decision.
+ Review all recruitment requests and be accountable for recruitment recommendations. Where appropriate, ensure the Business Case includes a rationale for retaining any shift working posts.
+ Line Manage and develop OMs and other D Grade staff, where appropriate.
1. Business Reporting
+ On an annual basis, review and authorise units Joint Business Agreements (JBAs) within AOR.
+ Ensure Rosters within their AOR are reviewed annually and recommend any new rosters/shift patterns prior to submission to C1 Ops for approval.
+ Ensure Business Continuity (BC) with AOR is effective by conducting one exercise per year across their AOR and provide an overview of BC measures and activity to Head Office as and when requested.
+ Ensure the BRM Information Asset Register reflects holdings within the AOM area and that information assets are properly handled and protected.
+ Ensure that MOD and MGS policy is implemented and maintained in accordance with MGS business with AOR.
+ Put in place measures by directing effective rostering that ensure that all MGS officers are given the opportunity to receive appropriate training and development to meet both organisational and where possible, individual needs as highlighted in the officer's Performance Appraisal Report (PAR).
+ Understand, develop and implement the health and safety responsibilities of the post through the application of best practice, and compliance with the DIO Safety, Health and Environmental Management System (SHEMS) under the overarching governance of the Secretary of State for Defences’ Health, Safety and Environmental Protection (HS&EP) Policy Statement.
1. Finance
+ Responsible to the Regional Manager (RM) for ensuring a cost effective and efficient unarmed guarding service is provided throughout the designated Area.
+ Ensure that proper and economical use is made of the Department's resources by implementing and conducting an effective system of audit and assurance including the accuracy of performance and output returns.
+ Conduct monthly Transactional Pay Audits and provide Assurance within AOR. Assurances to include Mandatory Training, Attendance and Performance and Recognition.
1. Leadership, Communication and Engagement
+ Act as Subject Matter Expert for a defined AOR as agreed with their BRM.
+ Act as first Point of Contact (POC) for the site customer.
+ Accountable for operational effectiveness at the unit
+ Ensure service delivery to customers is maintained at agreed levels and provide regular assurance to BRMs by communicating with Operational Managers (OMs) and reviewing the information entered on the MGS Performance and Operational Reporting Tool (PORT) and operational output returns.
+ Provide the focal point for interaction with customers within their AOR.
+ Manage their time effectively to ensure a reasonable balance between work and work-related travel.
+ Conduct Site visits ensuring effective communication with staff at all levels offering open forums and opportunities for staff engagement.
+ Ensure effective Employee Relations within AOR by supporting OMs and briefing BRMs in writing and orally prior to Joint Consultative Committees (JCCs) and Safety, Health and Environment Protection (SHEP) meetings. Work closely with the recognised Trades Unions, involving and consulting with them as appropriate.
+ Ensure OMs encourage and develop innovation, initiative and creative thinking by MGS officers across the AOR and that continuous improvement is embedded. Consider and respond personally to workforce proposals/ideas on change or Best Practice whether accepted or not, and take an active role in their implementation, where appropriate.
+ Ensure effective mechanisms for communications and feedback are in place within their AOR including the dissemination of relevant information up and down the line management chain including the use of the OASIS model
+ Close and effective liaison with all other agencies engaged in the general security effort and regularly brief BRMs both in writing and orally, as required.

Licences
Full UK Driving licence

Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Leadership
+ Changing and Improving
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Making Effective Decisions
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
+ Leadership
+ Changing and Improving
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Making Effective Decisions, When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.
Experience:
+ CV including Job History and Previous Skills, Personal Statement
Behaviours
Leadership
Changing and Improving
Delivering at Pace
At interview you will be assessed against the following:
Behaviours:
Leadership
Changing and Improving
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Application sifting is scheduled to take place on week commencing [Date 23/09/2024
Interviews are due to take place via Microsoft Teams and will be conducted week commencing Date:30/09/2024
We want to offer opportunities to all who are successful at interview for our roles, but this isn’t always possible, so we do hold candidates on an active reserve list for 12 months. It is also possible that we may offer similar lower graded role/s to reserve candidates or, if no reserves are appointed, candidates that meet the lower grade criteria in merit order.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.
The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
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.

The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) provides high quality security services at over 170 MOD sites across the United Kingdom. The MGS has guarded the Defence Estate for over 30 years including high profile locations such as MOD Main Building in London, Whitehall and His Majesty’s Naval Bases at Portsmouth, Devonport, and the Clyde. We provide access control, military working dogs, control room operations and other security services. We play a vital role supporting the Defence Mission and work to protect the Defence estate and personnel from crime, terrorism, espionage, and sabotage threats.
The MGS has over 2,700 employees and is part of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). MGS Security Officers are often the first point of contact for employees, visitors and contractors on sites and we pride ourselves on our professional, customer-focused culture. Behind our operational workforce is a range of head office roles which support our security professionals to develop and execute the organisations strategy, managing its budget and resources, leading, and developing our staff, maintaining relationships with stakeholders, monitoring and evaluating our performance and identifying new opportunities.
All are working towards our Vision to be recognised as an outstanding provider of security services and our five Values underpinning this Vision include

Alongside your salary of £35,290, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,223 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
We enable our people to work at the right place, with the right people, at the right time. We believe that if we look after our people, they will be passionate about delivering great things for our customers.
The MOD Discover My Benefits page lists the full set of benefits. Some of the many benefits you will receive include:
Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
+ A generous annual leave allowance.
+ Ability to roll over up to 10 days annual leave per year.
+ Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period to for volunteer military or emergency service reserve commitments.
+ Special Paid Leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year.
+ Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
+ Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing.
+ Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club, Gym and Cafeterias and Shops.
+ Blue Light and Defence Discount Cards
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.