Ministry of Defence Head Office Security Team - Corporate STRAPSO

Corporate STRAPSO's across Defence play a vital role in the safeguarding and protection of STRAP material. All large (Top Level Budget (TLB) holders) appoint a Corporate STRAPSO to oversee, manage and assure all STRAP related activity and accreditation in the business area.
They also act as the principal intermediary between local security professionals such as unit and establishment STRAPSO's and Principal Security Advisors and the STRAP Administration Authorities.
The primary task of the Head Office Corporate STRAPSO is to maintain the security and integrity of STRAP material and provide assurance to Principal Security Advisor, Head of Establishment, and MOD & UKIC accreditors that robust security measures are effective at protecting such material. They will also be responsible for investigating any reported security breaches and incidents concerning STRAP material and take all such counter measures to mitigate any impact.
Another key role of the appointment will be to provide specialist security advice to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Defence contractors on specific STRAP standards on any infrastructure projects taking place in Main Building/Head Office.
This post has a liability to be on call and the successful appointee will take their place on the on call roster. On call allowance at the prevailing rate is claimable.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week., Policy, Advice & Guidance
Providing advice and guidance on STRAP matters to the Head Office community. Act as point of contact regarding authority for induction/de-induction for access to STRAP material.
Maintaining currency in reviewing relevant policy and ensuring its implementation within Head Office including relevant Defence Security, Cabinet Office policy and associated leaflets.
Provide advice and support to all new and ongoing infrastructure projects involving higher classification areas, advising to achieve certification / accreditation. This includes new builds and expansions of existing STRAP Certified Area boundaries.
Review Head Office STRAP policy and ensure it is compliant with the latest STRAP Admin & Cabinet Office STRAP policy.
Operational
Monitoring the application of STRAP security guidelines through audit and advising on any shortcomings or risk mitigations.
Acting as the Head Office representative at relevant STRAP meetings and Working Groups.
Maintaining close liaison with and building strong professional relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including unit STRAPSOs, Head Office Principal Security Advisor and Cabinet Office.
Review Staff Nationality Waiver applications referred by unit STRAPSOs and refer to STRAP Admin when necessary.
Accreditation, Certification and Assurance
Accreditation/certification of new STRAP (and other higher classification) areas and de-certifying areas in accordance with policy.
Maintenance of the Master Copy of Certified Areas and be able to provide an accurate, up to date picture of the state of compliance and schedule of assurance activity across the site.
Conduct and monitor inspections of STRAP Certified Areas within Head Office and coordinate assurance activity with inspection teams, auditors and/or accreditors.
Provide updates and management information to Head Office Principal Security Advisor, Senior Stakeholders and STRAP Authorities, including priorities, challenges, opportunities, risks and scheduled activity.
Management and assurance of the delivery of STRAP information, systems and documentation for personnel based at MOD Main Building in accordance with national regulations.
Investigation
Oversee the investigation of security incidents concerning STRAP material within Head Office in accordance with the relevant policy requirements and timelines. Liaison with Head Office security team, Principal Security Advisor and STRAP authorities as appropriate, We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
+ Delivering at Pace, An initial sift using the personal statement will be undertaken focusing on the ESSENTIAL criteria only. Only those who meet the ESSENTIAL criteria will progress to the next stage. A further sift will be conducted on applicants' CV and personal statement (no more than 750 words). Applicants will be scored on their CV and personal statement and 1 x behaviour of Delivering at Pace. Care should be taken to ensure that the personal statement clearly evidences or demonstrates how they meet the Essential & Desirable criteria in the person specification. Candidates should use the STAR method when providing their examples; Situation, Task, Actions & Result.
Stage 2 - Interview
Applicants successful at the sift stage will be invited for interview where they will be tested on 4 behaviours under the Civil Service Success Profiles.
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating & Influencing
Seeing the Bigger Picture
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.
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.
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:
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.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and pro-active individual to fill the role of Head Office Corporate STRAPSO. This is an exciting and high-profile role which will work across the entirety of Main Building and its multitude of Defence business units.
Given the nature of the role the ideal candidate should have a background in or practical knowledge of working as a unit/local or establishment STRAPSO in MOD or another Government Department.
The candidate MUST have knowledge of the physical security aspects when constructing or adapting STRAP certified area's.
Note. Applicants should be aware that this role requires Developed Vetting and being successfully read on STRAP
Essential
A minimum of 12 months working knowledge or experience as a unit/local or establishment level or Corporate STRAPSO in the MOD, in any Government Department or in the Defence Industry.
Knowledge, experience or awareness of the physical construction standards when building or adapting STRAP certified area's i.e. CPNI/NPSA approved or accredited products.
Desirable
Good communication skills, having the ability to tailor communication style to the needs of the intended audience.
Practical application of policies. The ability to interpret policies and advise on risk as appropriate.
Please apply only if you meet and can evidence the ESSENTIAL criteria., Minimum of 12 months experience of being a member of any Government Departments or Defence Organisations Corporate STRAPSO

Alongside your salary of £43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes £11,631 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ 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%
+ On site gym
+ On site restaurant
+ On site creche
+ Cycle to Work scheme
The post does not offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non Standard move applicants will be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility.
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.