Post Security Manager at Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Roles and Responsibilities:

• The below roles and responsibilities are general guidelines. The role is not limited to the detail below and the responsibilities are subject to change from time to time with prior consultation if circumstances, structures, work pressures or priorities alter, or if absences need covering. This role is separate to that of the Security Operations Manager however there is some overlapping work and you will also be required to understand the SOM role in order to cover these during times of absence from the office.
• Provide thorough security briefings for new diplomatic staff spouses/partners, in country staff members and official visitors in line with agreed timetables. In addition to certify CBS vetting documents on induction and assist with vetting clearances. Ensure staff and official visitors are adequately trained and have attended the required security training. The ROSM leads on the UKB briefings and content however there may be times when she is not available.
• Managing and organising tasks required in the security department to support the overall objectives of the security department including report gathering, information analysis, responding to incidents, access control measures or supporting officers in official visits and events, managing contractors, tracking progress and good record keeping.
• To manage office and property security upgrades and repairs in line with procurement policy and to check security works before sign off. To meet security contacts and build up strong connections to gather relevant security reports and information. To gather regular and relevant crime reports for areas where our UKB staff and families live or where all staff travel to in order to help keep staff apprised of the crime situation. To meet the G4S and other contract managers for KPI meetings and other updates and oversee extra guarding or security requirements as needed.
• Arrange and carry out various incident drills in line with FCDO protocols that will generally involve guarding contractors and the health and safety teams. This includes briefing of staff in an appropriate manner as advised by the ROSM.
• Assist in preparing for all events and VIP level official visits to South Africa (and at times supporting the Jo’burg and Cape Town team) - and work together with the visits officer and other staff ensure all security protocols are in place to ensure the safety and security of the visit.
• To support the budget and finance duties and work with the other security managers in raising acquisitions, receipting and invoicing security works and ensuring ROSM is updated and spreadsheets are kept updated on the security budget forecast and spend.
• Assisting the ROSM in reporting and recording incidents and any breaches of security informing the ROSM/PSO at the earliest opportunity and ensure incident reporting to London is completed and escalated in a timely manner. To assist the ROSM in security vetting procedures for CBS staff. Helping to maintain post security regulation documents and updating vetting information on the IT systems.
• Conducting property assessments and security equipment checks at residences, offices, marker hotels and complete the required reports. Ensuring anything faulty is addressed in a priority manner ensuring British High Commission high standards are met, and in compliance with Security/ Safety requirements. Organising contractors, related to property security works of for urgent repairs.  Assessing security standards at properties and completing accurate write ups and recommendations - Keeping the ROSM updated.
• Managing security related requests from staff and UKB diplomatic community whether on properties, incidents or access control, ensuring that issues are addressed in line with agreed standards and deadlines, and communicating with staff and residential occupants where required.
• Security administration duties, including weekly updates with the ROSM and attending meetings with other teams, internal record-keeping on security items, compiling and maintaining asset registers, assisting with the mission’s travel risk assessments.  Management of property information and inventories, including on the British High Commission’s IT systems.  These tasks include some remote working for the British High Commission’s offices.
• Assist the PSM in managing and supervise the team of contract guards at properties and offices to deliver consistently strong performance against a set of operating instructions. Check SOPs are in place and regularly reviewed. Ensure KPI meetings are carried out and that all supporting evident is given to the ROSM in preparation for senior level meetings.
• In conjunction with the ROSM, liaise with the South African Police Diplomatic Protection Branch and with the security staff at other friendly Missions, ensuring that relevant information is reported.
• Deliver professionally other tasks and new work as delegated by the ROSM and or Post Security Officer on an ad hoc basis, often outside the above areas, in order to support the work of the British High Commission in South Africa.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 

• Has managed a variety of security situations, working to keep people safe.
• Enjoys being part of a very busy team but can work independently with little supervision and able to help cover for the head of department and others in their absence.
• Has strong administrative and IT skills including Excel. Has experience managing a budget with good project management skills.
• Is a strong communicator and a people-person, who takes pride in good service and enjoys working in a busy team.
• Has some crisis or emergency management experience or formal security qualifications and
• Has evidence of working at pace and managing multiple projects at the same time.
• Fluent in English, exceptional written and verbal English