Personnel Security and National Security Vetting Advisor

Salary

Applicants from outside of the Civil Service should be aware that starting salaries will normally be at the band minimum and you should not expect to receive a higher salary.

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Job grade

Higher Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Location:

London, Darlington, Newport, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, Jarrow

Type of role

• Line Management

• Administration

• Decision Making

• Process Driven

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time, Compressed hours

Number of jobs available

2

Background

Security Information Directorate (SID) is part of the Service Transformation Group (STG). STG oversees the building of a strategic vision for modernising and digitising our legacy systems, generating a coordinated plan across the MoJ and its agencies for transformation, and tracking delivery of this transformation.

Security and information management are fundamental building blocks of enabling the department to deliver. We have highly skilled experts working collaboratively with the department, Government Security Group and other partners to enable the whole of the MoJ to function securely, lawfully and transparently.

We identify, manage, and mitigate MoJ’s security, data protection and information risks, and provide assurance against those risks. We’re also home to the Counter Fraud Centre of Expertise. Part of our mission is to up-skill the department so that security becomes second nature to our people and partners.

Security and Counter Fraud work as part of the Security Information Directorate to keep the MoJ and its people safe and secure. We cover:

• Group Security (including Personnel and Physical Security)

• Security Governance and Portfolio

• Counter Fraud Centre of Expertise

• The Office of the Chief Security Officer

• Security Profession

About the job

Are you a people person who thrives on bringing teams together and finds satisfaction in orchestrating multiple moving parts? Do you have a passion for delivering an efficient and integral service? If so, we have an incredibly rewarding opportunity for you.

MoJ Group Security is looking to expand our National Security Vetting team by recruiting x2 Vetting Team Advisors to support the offboarding of National Security Vetting (NSV) service from Protective Security Centre (PSC/Home Office) and returning it back ‘in house’ to the MoJ.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in establishing a new National Security Vetting (NSV) team within the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). You will support the Senior NSV Manager in designing and implementing a robust vetting service for the MoJ and its agencies. Your responsibilities will include developing processes, workflows, guidance documents, and policies; engaging with stakeholders; and delivering training across all aspects of the NSV process. You will also support the recruitment, onboarding, and training of Executive Officers (EOs) and Administrative Officers (AOs), ensuring the team is fully prepared for the service launch in March 2026.

Once we have off-boarded from PSC you will be leading a team to provide a quality NSV service to the whole of MoJ. Ensuring efficient, customer focused delivery which minimises risks and supports people within NSV roles.

This is an ‘admin heavy’ role with two prominent workstreams. You will be responsible for running and maintaining one of two work streams Vetting Operations or Vetting Aftercare:

Vetting Operations is responsible for the end-to-end process of NSV applications from sponsoring and issuing links, transferring clearances in and out of the MoJ and granting clearances for all cases in line with the MoJ’s risk appetite and tolerance.

Aftercare is the term used for the ongoing management of effective personnel security. Its purpose is to investigate, monitor, risk assess and risk manage anything of security concern.

Both work steams will include interviewing applicants on sensitive subjects such as financial/medical and lifestyle.

The successful candidate will be matched to roles based on their experience and skill set to which you are most suitable too, however you will be expected to be cross-skilled in all NSV workstreams and understand all areas of the business.

Roles and responsibilities:

Line Management and Leadership

• Direct line management 2x EO’s and counter signatory for at least 2/3x AO’s

• Leading and empowering a team to become subject matter experts to deliver a quality service and ensure all SLAs are met

New workstreams and processes

• Standing up the new NSV team, creating processes and polices, data transferring and cleansing, recruit and train new EO’s and AO’s in all aspects of the NSV workstreams

• Engage with stakeholders ensuring they are informed and updated ensuring all processes are agreed and implemented

• Establish and maintain the Vetting Operations for all new/renewal, transfers/shares of National Security clearances

• Establish and maintain the Aftercare process for all National Security clearances where aftercare has been applied.

Vetting Operations /Aftercare processes

• Assess and triage potential National Security Vetting refusals and adverse cases from UKSV, evaluating them against the vetting framework and MoJ risk tolerance.

• Review low-risk/non-adverse DV cases and complex aftercare cases, making clearance decisions and recommending further action where necessary.

• Act as a point of escalation for complex or sensitive vetting enquiries.

• Support Vetting Coordinators in risk assessment of aftercare cases, and application of appropriate measures.

• Assist in decision-making for adverse vetting outcomes and ongoing clearance maintenance.

• Conduct interviews with applicants or clearance holders to explore personal or sensitive issues impacting national security clearance.

• Develop and maintain vetting-related policies and procedures to ensure alignment with current standards and risk appetite.

This list is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Essential skills/experience

• Proven experience in leading teams or projects to achieve shared goals.

• Highly organised with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work on time.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and support team members while contributing to collective objectives.

• Skilled in administrative tasks and experienced in fast-paced, process-driven environments.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including handling sensitive conversations professionally.

• Proficient in MS Office365, especially Word and Excel, with a track record of delivering high-volume services efficiently.

Desirable skills/experience

• Knowledge of personnel security, including National Security Vetting and pre-employment screening processes.

• Strong understanding of data protection principles, with a commitment to confidentiality and discretion.

• Experience in conducting difficult conversations or interviews.

• Proven ability to lead teams through change and empower others effectively.

• Skilled in decision-making within defined frameworks, such as Cabinet Office guidelines.

• Confident in managing shared mailboxes and handling high volumes of correspondence efficiently.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving

• Making Effective Decisions

• Delivering at Pace

• Leadership

Benefits

Option to join the Civil Service pension scheme. For further details, click here http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/pensions 

Generous annual leave provision of 25 days which increases to 30 days after five years’ service plus an additional day in recognition of the King’s Birthday and the option to buy or sell up to five days’ leave per year. Different terms may apply if you are already a Civil Servant.

Discretionary performance-related bonus scheme.

Interest-free season travel ticket, bicycle loan and cycle to work scheme.

Access to the Rental Deposit Salary Advance Scheme which assists employees in meeting the costs of deposits for privately rented homes.

Opportunities for learning and development.

Flexible working arrangements and family-friendly policies.

Voucher for eye care and discounted spectacles.

Access to a range of discounts through membership of the Civil Service Sports and Social Club, CSSC Sports and Leisure. http://www.cssc.co.uk/

Maternity and paternity leave provision over and above the statutory entitlements.

Access to My CPS Rewards Gateway. My CPS Rewards offers staff a range of rewards and savings including:

• Discounts with high street retailers

• Savings on grocery shopping at a range of supermarkets

• Special salary sacrifice and recognition schemes

• Reloadable gift cards and e-cards

• Instant vouchers

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and strengths.

Application stage

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide. 

• A statement of suitability of no more than 750 words that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria.

• A supporting CV outlining your job history and qualifications

• 250-word evidential examples in the STAR format to show how you meet the behaviours required for the role

A sift based on the lead behaviour, Changing and Improving, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Interview stage

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview where they will be asked a selection of behavioural and strength-based questions.

Security

Successful candidates must achieve SC clearance before they are appointed.

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.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals

• nationals of the Republic of Ireland

• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)

• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and strengths.