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General Information

Salary
£34,140 - £37,105
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
Bedford, Brighton and Hove, Buckingham, Eastbourne, Maidstone, Reading
Region
South East
Closing Date
01-Aug-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
7955

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Job role: Regional Safety and Security Officer (RSSO)

Grade: HEO 

We are running two separate RSSO recruitment campaigns at the same time for different regions, however you can only apply on one campaign. Your application that is submitted first will be taken as the region you wish to apply for and any subsequent applications that you make will not be progressed.

The successful candidate can be based at any HMCTS site in the South East (with the exception of London sites). As part of your role, you will be expected to work at sites across your region, with occasional travel to other locations in the country.

The building sites listed in the advertisement are not exhaustive, you will have the opportunity to discuss and agree your preferred base location within your region with your line manager at onboarding stage. 

About us 

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Our roles support our service users and colleagues, where people and businesses access potentially life-changing justice.  We’re looking for individuals who are committed to public service and want to make a difference in people’s lives in delivering justice. If you’re interested in developing a career with a real purpose, please apply.

About the role

The Regional Safety and Security Officer (RSSO) sits within the National Support Unit (NSU), reporting to the Safety and Security Lead. You will be responsible for advising and assisting the Incident and Safety Lead and Delivery Directors on Security, Health and Safety and Fire Safety matters to ensure that Operations complies with HMCTS operational and legislative requirements.

You will provide real-time advice, support and guidance to Senior Operational Managers and their staff to enable compliance with HMCTS’ security and safety policies and requirements.

You will be expected to work flexibly across geographical areas.   

Your role as the RSSO encompasses several key aspects (but not limited to):

  • Advise and support Delivery Directors and Senior Operational Managers on Health and Safety, security, and fire safety matters, identifying risks and issues faced and ensuring compliance with operational and legislative requirements.
  • Advise, support and where appropriate undertake incident and accident investigations of significant events producing lessons learned and ensure future incidents are mitigated against.
  • Conduct Fire Risk Assessments, checking compliance with operational and legislative requirements.
  • Conduct Health and Safety and Security inspections and audits, checking compliance with operational and legislative requirements.
  • Advise and assist Senior Operational Managers and their staff on security and safety risk assessments and share best practice across the region and wider Operations.
  • Act as the first “specialist” point of contact on the region for all security and safety matters with managers, staff, judicial office holders and justice partners/stakeholders.
  • Deliver/facilitate training on security and safety matters, including Fire and Incident Control Training. 

Please refer to the attached role profile for a comprehensive overview of the role.

Who are we looking for? (Person Specification)

The ideal candidate for this position should demonstrate:

Essential

  • Experience or basic knowledge of Health and Safety, Fire Safety and Security policies, strategies, and systems.
  • Proven ability to conduct thorough investigations and audits, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong organisational skills, with the ability to operate through ambiguity to plan ahead, proactively identifying and solving problems to improve performance and manage risks.
  • Experience in operational delivery, managing safety and security incidents at both local or/and regional levels. 
  • Interpersonal, consultative, and negotiating skills including the ability to successfully persuade and influence senior stakeholders.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly and concisely convey complex information to diverse audiences. 

Desirable

The successful candidates will be required to complete the following training as part of the role and achieve and maintain their technical competence in:

  • Specialist Health and Safety qualification, as a minimum NEBOSH General Certificate, and attain membership of relevant professional institute(s) - Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Technical, Graduate or Chartered), Security Institute (member), ‘Institution of Fire Engineers’ (IFE) Institute of Fire Safety Managers’ (IFSM).  
  • Knowledge and understanding of British Standards on Fire Safety (in particular BS 9999 and BS 9997) and the Fire Safety Order 2005
  • PAS79 Fire Risk Assessor training/accreditation
  • National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) protective security training
  • Further details

The successful candidates must obtain Security Check (SC) Clearance.  

Due to the nature of the role, a minimum of 30 hours over 5 days would be considered to meet the needs of the business.

Application Process 

To apply for this role, please submit a statement of suitability of no more than 500 words setting out evidence and examples of how you meet the person specification of the role.  Please also give evidence of no more than 250 words of the behaviour (Level 3) “Making Effective Decisions”. Please ensure you cover both ‘what’ you do but also ‘how’ you do it. (i.e., the effective skills, knowledge & experience needed to undertake the role)

In the event of a high number of applications, the panel may perform a pre-liminary sift on the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions.

Interview

If successful at sift you will be invited to a Civil Service Success Profiles interview which will include assessment of the following behaviours (Level 3).

  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace

Strengths will also be assessed however these are not shared in advance. 

About our benefits 

We reward our people for their hard work and commitment. We have a number of family friendly and flexible working polices that will help you achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition, we offer a range of employee benefits which include generous annual leave, a highly competitive contributory pension scheme, childcare benefits, season ticket and bicycle loans. 

Proud to Serve. Proud to keep justice going.


Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours 

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits 

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension 

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training 

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks 

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Eligibility

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.

Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 7955

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 7955


Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions, 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.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Making Effective Decisions
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Please submit a statement of suitability of no more than 500 words setting out evidence and examples of how you meet the person specification of the role. Please ensure you cover both ‘what’ you do but also ‘how’ you do it. (i.e., the effective skills, knowledge & experience needed to undertake the role)
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews expected on or around 1st September 2025, subject to change
Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)