ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SAFETY & SECURITY Candidate Information Pack
ABOUT SOAS
SOAS is a remarkable institution.With our vast repository of knowledge and expertise on our specialist regions, we are particularly well-placed to inform and shape current thinking about the economic, political, cultural, security and religious challenges of our world. Our programmes are taught by respected academics engaged in fieldwork and research which influences government policies and the lives of individuals across the globe. SOAS scholars engage with the pressing issues confronting humankind today: democracy, development, economy, finance, language, public and corporate policy, human rights, migration, identity, legal systems, poverty, religion, and social change. SOAS is home to some of the world’s leading experts and researchers in these regions who are regularly interviewed by the international media including the BBC, ITN, Reuters and CNN. They act as advisors, commentators and consultants to government departments and non- governmental organisations, as well as the private sector and multinational companies. Through its research excellence, the School has gained a global reputation as a leading institution for the study of these regions, a reputation which is reflected in its diverse staff and student community.
The library is one of just five National Research Libraries in the country and houses the world’s largest concentration of scholarly works on Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Amongst its 1.5 million items, the library has many treasures including a 9th century Tibetan prayer book, priceless Japanese scrolls and original colonial maps of Africa drawn in the 19th century. Approximately 5,200 students from 133 countries study at undergraduate and postgraduate level, 40 per cent of whom are from outside the UK. 4,000 students around the world study through distance learning programmes. We have a well-established and active alumni community in more than 180 countries who are involved in hosting events around the world each year. The many high-profile alumni include world leaders, human rights lawyers, politicians, diplomats, journalists, museum curators, philosophers, and writers, many of whom have helped bring about change to improve the world in which we live. As an institution set up 100 years ago with a clear colonial mission, SOAS has been leading work, towards decolonising education, by reviewing its curricula and tackling the awarding gap for BAME students. Further information about SOAS can be obtained from our website at www.soas.ac.uk .
• Ranked in the World Top 50 for Arts and Hu- manities (QS World Rankings by Subject 2020) . Unrivalled range of non-European languages • All SOAS languages may be studied without prior knowledge. • Ranked eighth in the UK for Modern Languages (QS 2020) . Intimate and ambitious • 87% of students found staff good at explaining things and their course intellectually stimulating (National Student Survey 2020) . • SOAS Law graduates rank second highest for graduate pay in the UK, ahead of Cambridge and Oxford ( Chambers Student 2019) .
The world’s leading institution for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East • World-class research and teaching expertise, equipping people for a global economy and multicultural society. Specialist and interdisciplinary strengths • 200+ undergraduate degree combinations; 200+ postgraduate programmes (taught and distance learning) with a distinctive regional focus and global relevance. • First in UK and fifth in the world for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” (THE Impact Rankings 2020) . • SOAS rose by seven places to 37th in the Com- plete University Guide 2021 .
First class facilities • One of only five National Research Libraries in the UK; 1.5 million volumes, periodicals and au- dio-visual materials in 400 languages, focusing on Asia, Africa and the Middle East. • 90% of students think that Library resources have supported their learning well (National Student Survey 2019) . The world meets SOAS • 5,200 students from 133 countries on campus. • 4,000 students around the world on distance learning programmes. • 39,000 active alumni worldwide.
JOB DESCRIPTION Job title
Assistant Director of Safety and Security
Department Reporting to
Estates Directorate Director of Estates
Hours Grade Salary
35
Grade 9
£59,916 – £68,819 per annum (plus excellent benefits) SHEQ Manager, Security Manager and Fire Safety Manager
Direct reports
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE The Estates Directorate is responsible for the delivery of the Estate Strategy, which covers the areas of major construction and refurbishment projects; facilities operation, space management, and energy management. The Directorate aims to ensure that the quality, functionality and operation of the estate and its associated infrastructure meet the needs of its users and support the activities of SOAS. The Assistant Director Safety and Security is a professional specialist, with a high-level of expertise and is ultimately accountable for the provision of security policies, codes of practice and implementation of a strategy through the delivery of various initiatives across SOAS. Reporting to Director of Estates, the post holder will be the principal advisor on physical security matters. They will establish an appropriate security culture, improving the education of all and ensuring staff, students and visitors are safe. The key purpose of the role is to carry out duties to ensure service level agreements are met. The role holder will lead the Security profession and be accountable for the implementation of all security- related policies, procedures and controls and lead and will provide assurance that risks are being mitigated and controls are effective. The roleholder will hold meetings with their direct managersand attend the team meetings with the security team when possible. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Physical Security and Risk Management, Analysis and Reporting • Provide assurance and guidance to the Executive and Operational Directors with security guidance on threats, vulnerabilities, and controls. • Hold overall accountability for the security and Health and Safety risk register, inclusive of wider issues such as international/national terrorism and/or political unrest issues. • Ensure effective delivery of Security Incident
• Identification and preparation of strategic long- term investment programmes to inform onward estate investment planning and a customer focused approach to estates management and projects. Finance and Resource Management Manage the Security budget to ensure: • Appropriate financial controls are in place • The allocated budget is sufficient to deliver the outputs, outcomes, and benefits. • Appropriate contingencies are identified at the outset. • Value for money is achieved, including benefits realisation • Ensure the most efficient and cost-effective models for the delivery of services, meeting statutory and regularly compliance and high levels of customer experience. Service Provision & Stakeholder Engagement • Ensure stakeholders and customer needs are clearly defined and that a cohesive plan is in place to manage expectations. • Ensure stakeholder and customer feedback and quality processes are in place. • Act as a point of escalation to address and unblock any obstacles. Leadership & People Management • Provide strategic leadership to senior members of the Security team in delivering advice, guidance, direction, and assurance in all security activities. • Through a clear set of values and behaviours which are aligned to the School. Create a set of relationships and behaviours to engender a culture of respect, respect, dignity, and mutual responsibility. • To hold meetings with the SHEQ, Fire Safety ans Security Managers individually and collectively. • Carry out one to one and SDR meetings. General • Carry out responsibilities with due regard to the School’s Respect at SOAS statement and adhere to and promote the School’s Equality, Diversity,
Management, as a lead member of the Emergency Management Team.
and Inclusion policies. • Ensure effective upward and downward communication to ensure effective translation of required information. • Represent the School on relevant committees and contribute to the work of regional networks and national professional bodies (e.g., AUDE, Security personnel) to build relationships and share information which will assist in the implementation of best practice. • Ensure adherence to health and safety policies and procedures. • Undertake project management at School wide level, as directed, employing appropriate techniques to carry out work and ensuring that projects are delivered on time and within budget. Oral and written communication: Communicate effectively to convey information to facilitate others’ understanding. This includes both oral and written form and will include: • Communicating complex or technical information, including explaining implications of decisions for SOAS. • Drafting policies and procedures. • Providing advice and guidance to managers (including Executive managers), colleagues, students, and external stakeholders. • Receiving, understanding, and conveying complex conceptual ideas or information which may be highly detailed, technical, or specialist, such as when serious incidents occur, strategy development and complex investigations. Teamwork and Motivation: The role holder will be required to work with a broad range of stakeholders across the organisation, members of the senior management and leadership teams, and with colleagues within the Estates. They will: • Monitor progress, and identify, mitigate, and resolve risks, issues, and conflicting priorities. • Through clear objectives and regular reviews, empower staff to achieve excellence and support their continuous improvement. • Form and communicate a clear vision of what
• Ensure Business Continuity plans are in place, with appropriate training, guidance, and controls. Ensure a culture of continuous assessment, making decisions and recommendations to reduce risk to SOAS. • Develop an Assurance Framework to monitor control effectiveness. • Ensure that all practices and policies are fully compliant with relative regulatory and statutory requirements, inclusive of Health and Safety policy. • Provide assurance to the Director of Estates that SOAS’ security risks have been appropriately mitigated and threats controlled. • Ensure appropriate health and safety and security arrangements for student accommodation services, inclusive of any safeguarding arrangements. • Responsible for ensuring health and safety is adhered to so far as is reasonably practicable, ensuring a safe working environment for all employees. Complete and monitor risk assessments to meet the needs of the department. • Initiate, define and develop policy and planning systems consistent with the department strategy and monitor progress to ensure plans are delivered in accordance with operational and long-term strategic objectives. • Review, monitor and evaluate existing service provision, keeping abreast of feedback and broader developments in the external environment, to ensure appropriate developments and innovative solutions are proposed to maintain or enhance the quality and effectiveness of the service provided taking account of legislative changes. Continuous Improvement • Champion and implement a proven continuous improvement methodology across the department, bringing in learning and best practice from other organisations from within the Higher Education sector and other relevant sectors.
is to be achieved overall by a team; to create a sense of unity and common purpose. Liaison and Networking: The role holder will also need to be able to work with key internal and external stakeholders which may be represented by third party suppliers or individuals and teams outside the SOAS community. The will: • Manage stakeholder expectations • Build and establish contacts and networks with key stakeholders, internal and external staff, suppliers, contractors, and industry specialists to influence opinion, delivery, and reputation of services. • Along with Assistant Directors, lead the interrelationship between different teams and their impact on the overall aims of the department, breaking down barriers and adopting positive and productive working relationships. Service Delivery: The post holder will be responsible for leading a specialist safety and security, ensuring that they deliver to a high and professional standard, and ensure compliance with all governance, policies, and procedures. They will: • Monitor and audit performance with internal or external contacts, ensuring SOAS are compliant with set standards and performance levels. • Ensure the highest levels of service delivery to staff, students, and visitors. • Foster a positive, confident, and enthusiastic working environment with excellent communication and staff engagement that makes staff feel valued. Decision-Making Processes and Outcomes: The role holder will act as a gatekeeper and advisor to ensure effective service delivery with strategic objectives at the forefront, and to provide assurance that financial and non-financial resources are solely committed to delivery of this work. They will: • Advise the Director when decisions need to be made on any matters relating to Health and Safety, Fire Safety and Security. • Will delegate any issues related to Health and Safety to SHEQ manager • Ensure a smooth running management of fire safety on campus • Provide informed, timely and accurate advice to the Senior Management Team and Director on all major aspects of Safety and Security. • Inform strategic decision-making by producing briefs and plans for the development of the University’s estate and facilities. Planning and Organising Resources: The role holder is responsible for the delivery of facilities services at the School and ensuring it is
achieving optimum service through all contractual arrangements. They will: • Take responsibility for operational planning and organisation of larger projects. Collating work carried out by the management teams of the service in contribution to wider projects. • Allocate work that is associated to projects carried out in the areas of functions un • Set performance standards and establish monitoring procedures to keep track of progress across the areas of work the role holder manages. • Audit and monitor compliance and ensure that the appropriate risk assessments are in place with action plans to address/minimise risk where applicable. Initiative and Problem Solving: The role holder will be required to support and mentor colleagues across the organisation, advising them how best to progress or resolve issues. They will: • Coach and mentor team members so that they perform to their best ability. • Manage complex problems which impact across the School including large scale, high value new builds and refurbishments. • Apply broad and deep knowledge and experience to provide advice and guidance to others or address significant problems or unresolved issues, some of which will be multidisciplinary or cross-School in nature. Analysis, Research and Continuous Improvement: The role holder is required to identify and review information/data needs for appropriate projects managed to ensure efficiency, legality and security are maintained. They will: • Recognise and interpret trends or patterns in data and identify or source additional information to inform continuous improvement. • Set priorities and standards for the improvement of the estate as part of the • Adapt the service accordingly to ensure the appropriateness and quality of service (content, time, accuracy, level of information, cost). • Commission, monitor, and assure the regular assessment of personnel, technical, and physical security controls • Develop a suite of security strategies, policies, procedures, and standards. Work Environment (inclusive of sensory and physical demands) The role holder will have the responsibility for making judgments about inherent risks and/or hazards and the impact these may have on the safety of other people:
• Understand variability in the working environment and its potential impact on the work process or health and safety and act accordingly. • Manage the level of risk by constant monitoring and evaluation of risk and take appropriate action where necessary. • To ensure compliance with Health and Safety legislation and regulations all work undertaken by staff within the department or external contractors. • Provide the appropriate advice, information, and guidance to ensure others can understand, assess, and manage health, safety, and environment risk. Pastoral Care and Welfare: The role holder will be required to have the capacity to deal with difficult situations relating to confidential matters according to institutional policy and procedures and to recognise when to involve others. They will: • Provide support for team members to build and maintain a co-operative, motivated and high performing team. • Show sensitivity to those who need help or who are showing signs of distress. • Initiate appropriate action by involving relevant people Team Development: The role holder is required to train or guide others on specific tasks, issues or activities concerning compliance with quality standards and health, safety, and environment regulations. They will: • Give advice, guidance, and feedback to others. • Define the performance standards required and identify appropriate developmental activity to achieve desired levels of performance. • Promote a culture of innovation and creativity, bringing together diverse staff to achieve a unity of purpose and ambition in strategic delivery. Teaching and Learning Support: To provide specialist guidance and support to members of the wider leadership community across the school relating to Health & Safety and Fire Safety. Knowledge and Experience: The role holder is required to be recognised as an authority in their field or specialism within the School or amongst external peers, based on demonstrated experience. They will: • Shape and influence developments through contribution to area of expertise. • Engage in Continuous Professional Development activities to keep their knowledge base and skills up to date and to develop themselves further.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Experience and Knowledge • Experience of managing and developing a significant team or number of teams. • Strong interpersonal skills including motivational negotiating, influencing and relationship building • Experience of operating at, working with, and influencing senior management. • Experience of managing and controlling budgets/ resources/funding and an understanding of financial management procedures. • Experience of developing innovative solutions and contributing to strategic planning • Experience working withing security and/or safety management services at a senior level. • Well-developed knowledge of systems/services for own area and across functions and how they relate to each other • Well-developed understanding of regulations and legislation and the implications of non- compliance on other staff • Experience, specialist knowledge and understanding of the Higher Education environment • Demonstrable ability to translate user requirements into effective solutions • Experience of preparing and writing executive/ board level reports and presentation • plications of non-compliance on other staff. • Experience managing high-quality customer services. • Delivering process and service improvement across a range of operational areas. Skills and Abilities • A high level of initiative to act without requiring direction, demonstrates resilience, confidence,
and self-belief when under pressure • Ability to network and build relationships, demonstrating self-awareness which includes awareness of impact on others • Highly developed written and verbal communication skills. • Ability to deliver highly sensitive or highly contentious information, including where skilful interpersonal skills need to be used to overcome barriers to acceptance • Ability to engage effectively with customers and possess a natural aptitude in assisting people. • Ability to confidently make conclusions, judgements and recommendations based on highly complex information, potentially in emotive circumstances. Be able to listen and accurately capture critical information, role model for openness and inclusion • Ability to absorb and understand complex information and can conveys straightforward information in a clear and accurate manner to different audiences. • Ability to assess risks, anticipate difficulties and successfully resolve them. • A demonstration and commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusivity in service. Skills and Abilities Essential: • Qualified in either CRISC, CISM or CSMP. Desirable: • A relevant first degree or equivalent • NEBOSH Health and Safety Management qualification (or equivalent) • Demonstrable evidence of continued professional and personal learning development
HOW TO APPLY
For a confidential discussion and to learn more about the role and opportunity, please contact our appointed recruitment partner Rob Cullum of The Management Recruitment Group. Rob Cullum E: rob.cullum@mrgglobal.com Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV and supporting cover letter. Applications should be sent to rob.cullum@mrgglobal.com
Closing date for applications is: Sunday 17th March 2024
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