Stop Terrorism, Recruitment Microsite

Thank you for your interest in the post of Community Adviser in the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism.

OSCT is an exciting and dynamic organisation, set up last year to oversee the delivery of the Government's counter terrorism strategy CONTEST.

Terrorism and violent extremism present one of the key threats to public safety in this country. Part of our response is to take the security measures needed to keep people safe, but that alone is not enough.

We need to work in partnership with communities to challenge and expose the ideology that encourages indiscriminate violence. We need to work together to stop people getting drawn into terrorism. We need to expose and isolate the apologists for violence.

This post offers the successful candidate the opportunity to ensure that communities are genuinely involved in the development and delivery of a counter terrorism effort which works and is seen to work for the benefit of all communities.

It is your opportunity to make a real difference. I hope you take it.


Rt Hon Tony McNulty MP

Home Office Minister of State for Security, Counter-terrorism, Crime and Policing

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About us

Introduction to OSCT

The Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) was established in 2007 in the Home Office, in order to bring more cohesion and greater strategic capability to our fight against terrorism. OSCT celebrated its first anniversary in July 2008.

OSCT's primary responsibilities are to:

• Support the Home Secretary and other Ministers in developing, directing and implementing counter-terrorist strategy (CONTEST) across Government.
  
  
• Deliver aspects of the counter-terrorism strategy directly e.g. legislation, policing, borders, protective security policy.
  
  
• Facilitate oversight of Security Service / police counter-terrorist operations in the UK and manage CT related crises.

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Job Description

The Office for Security and Counter Terrorism: Community Advisor

Reports to: Head of Prevent Unit

Grade: Civil Service Grade 6

Context

The Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) was established in March 2007, as part of the machinery of government changes, to bring more cohesion and greater strategic capacity across government to work against terrorism. OSCT is responsible for the programme management of the UK counter terrorism strategy known as CONTEST. This has four main components:

• PREVENT: Preventing terrorist attack through tackling radicalisation and the factors which contribute to it.
  
  
• PURSUE: Disrupting terrorists and their operations both in the UK and overseas.
  
  
• PROTECT: Reducing the vulnerability of the UK and UK interests overseas to terrorist attack.
  
  
• PREPARE: Ensuring that the UK is as prepared as it can be for dealing with the consequences of a terrorist attack.

• This is a newly created post to oversee the OSCT engagement with communities.
  
  
• Given the greatest terrorist threat to the UK is currently posed by those who seek to justify their actions through a misrepresentation of Islam and that those they seek to radicalize are primarily in Muslim communities, this post will require a particular focus engaging with those communities.
  
  
• There is a requirement that the post holder will need to be security cleared to Developed Vetting (DV) level and any offer made will be conditional on that criteria being fulfilled.

• To further develop an understanding of communities and how they are reacting in real time, providing feedback and contacts to enable OSCT to ascertain true community reaction.
  
  
• To ensure the positive public perception of counter terrorism activities within our communities and ensure the work of the organisation is clearly and accurately explained to the community in a cogent and understandable format.

• Contribute to communicating CONTEST as widely as possible and explaining its key components. Notably (but not only) in connection with the Prevent agenda;
  
  
• To provide positive interaction and engagement with the community on a regular basis; building confidence and trust;
  
  
• Work in and develop sustainable partnerships with other relevant stakeholders, partners and the community with particular focus on organisations representing Muslim communities in the UK and overseas at a range of levels, to ensure that information and intelligence is shared on a regular basis;
  
  
• Contribute and advise on strategy and policy development, based on community feedback;
  
  
• Work inclusively rather than exclusively across a range of sectors;
  
  
• Brief and advise high level stakeholders in a range of government agencies.

• Ensure OSCT connects effectively with communities, and in particular Muslim communities, through an ongoing process engagement
  
  
• involve communities in the development of our CT policy and specifically the delivery of projects that achieve the aim of stopping people becoming terrorists (to include identifying, contacting and encouraging involvement of a wide range of community partners)
  
  
• Understand the impact of our CT policies and the way they are viewed and discussed in communities.
  
  
• Develop a capacity to either advise or obtain advice on faith related issues of our CT work;
  
  
• To act as a point of expertise on effective community engagement within OSCT to develop the capacity of others to undertake this work and
  
  
• To co-ordinate OSCT's approach to community engagement with that of other Government Departments.

• Department for Communities and Local Government
  
  
• Research, Information and Communications Unit (Home Office)
  
  
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  
  
• Local Authorities
  
  
• Community groups and organisations
  
  
• Counter terrorist agencies and organisations

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Person Specification

You should demonstrate and provide evidence of the criteria listed under part one within your written application.

These will be further explored at the preliminary interview stage, along with the criteria listed under part two:

Part One

• A proven track record of positive community engagement and experience of creating and sustaining innovative successful partnerships with a diverse range of organizations.
  
  
• Evidence of credibility and gravitas with Muslim communities and having worked positively with them, in particular with traditionally harder to reach groups such as young people.
  
  
• Ideally possessing developed language skills in English, Urdu and / or Arabic.
  
  
• Evidence of insight and credibility in working with religious groups and communities and in particular in the teachings of Islam.
  
  
• A track record of creating systems and process to share good practice and disseminate knowledge with a range of internal and external stakeholders
  
  
• Evidence of the establishment of a credible network of community organizations at local, regional and national level
  
  
• Ideally a demonstrable appreciation of the work of OSCT and the Prevention agenda, addressing contemporary threats.
  
  
• Evidence of using reputational/ambassadorial ability particularly in the context of engaging local communities, government and other sectors.

• Respected for a reputation and track record of delivering and getting things done
  
  
• A highly persuasive communicator; personal and professional demeanour/credibility that will command the immediate confidence of a range of stakeholders
  
  
• Convincing in terms of a capacity to translate broad objectives into effective practical steps
  
  
• Leads by example; inclusive rather than exclusive; prepared to share expertise, know how and skills
  
  
• Commitment to the OSCT's priorities and values
  
  
• Highly innovative; thinks outside traditional boundaries and ways of doing things; anticipatory – encouraging a forward-looking inquisitive approach that maximises opportunities before they are lost and that shrinks risk in good time
  
  
• High degree of probity and integrity; committed to the activities and actions of the OSCT.
  
  
• Strong People Management skills
  
  
• A sound understanding of financial management principles
  
  
• Strong Programme and Project management skills
  
  
• Able to think strategically and solve problems
  
  
• The ability to use analysis and evidence

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Terms and Conditions

This post is permanent and pensionable.

Salary

The salary range for this post is £54,989 - £69,444. Starting salary will depend on your qualifications and on the quality of relevant experience you offer. Progression up the pay scale will depend on performance which is assessed annually. Abatement of salary may apply if you are in receipt of a public service pension. In addition, civil servants who have been granted early retirement (under the terms of Compulsory Early Retirement, Compulsory Early Severance, Flexible Early Retirement or Flexible Early Severance) will be required to repay all or part of their lump sum compensation payments if their re-employment commences during the period represented by the compensation payment.

This post currently attracts a London Location Allowance of £3020 per annum.

Hours

You will normally be required to work a 5 day week of 36 hours excluding meal breaks.

Annual Leave

Your annual leave allowance will be 25 days and 30 days after 10 years service. In addition, all staff receive 8 days bank and public holidays and 2½ privilege days to be taken at fixed times of the year.

Probation

You will be on probation for a period of up to 6 months unless you are already an established civil servant who has satisfactorily completed a probationary period.

Pension

Pension schemes are available and more information will be provided to successful candidates. For further information on these schemes please refer to the following website www.civilservice-pensions.gov.uk

Age of Retirement

The retirement age for the Home Office is 65 with immediate payment of benefits under their relevant pension choice. Staff can request to stay on beyond 65 subject to the same performance management, attendance and disciplinary requirements that are applicable to all staff irrespective of age and subject to the business needs of the Department.

Nationality

These posts are open to UK Nationals, i.e., British citizens, British subjects under Part IV of the British Nationality Act 1981 having the right of abode in the UK, and British Dependent Territories citizens acquiring their citizenship from connection with Gibraltar.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Disabled Persons

The Home Office operates a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled people (as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995) who meet the minimum criteria for this appointment as published in these Notes. If you wish to apply for consideration under this scheme, please complete the enclosed form and return it with your application form. In addition, if you require any special arrangements at our selection centre, please give details in a covering letter to enable us to make the appropriate arrangements, if necessary.

www.civilservice-pensions.gov.uk

Employment of ex-offenders in the Home Office

Policy Statement

This statement applies to the central Home Office and the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA).

General Principles

• The principle responsibilities of the Home Office are to protect the public and to secure our borders. We work with the police and security agencies to ensure we do all we can to achieve these objectives.
  
  
• These responsibilities mean that we set very high standards for our staff. Honesty and integrity are essential and form part of the core values of the Civil Service.
  
  
• We will always carefully check the suitability of new employees for employment at the Home Office and are not tolerant of dishonest behaviour. We do not condone criminal activity in any way.
  
  
• However, within these constraints, we recognise the contribution that ex-offenders can make to a workforce. Our aim is to ensure that potentially suitable candidates for employment are not automatically ruled out from employment with the Home Office. As such, having a criminal record will not automatically bar an individual from working with us. This will depend on the:
  
  
  • nature of the position;
    
    
  • the circumstances, seriousness and background of the offence(s);
    
    
  • whether or not the conviction is "spent" ("Spent" convictions need to be declared when applying for security clearance);
    
    
  • the applicant's openness shown in declaring the conviction.

• We carry out our own pre-employment checks and security clearances which includes checks about an applicant's character and integrity.
  
  
• You should, in normal circumstances, bring a current, valid travel document (e.g. Passport) with you to your interview. EEA citizens are entitled to produce a National Identity Card or a Passport and should bring a residence card if they have one. Your interviewer will use the travel document to verify your identity and a photocopy of your document(s) will be taken to assist with other checks. If you are unable to provide a current, valid travel document the Department will, in exceptional circumstances, consider your representations. If these are accepted you will be subject to additional checks, based on other documentation. Non- EEA, Swiss, or Turkish Nationals will have to demonstrate that they have no time limit or restrictions on their stay. If you are successful at interview you might be required to produce your identity documents again before being offered a position.
  
  
• We exercise vigilance and rigour in the recruitment of staff who will be working in sensitive areas of Departmental business or with vulnerable groups. For example, where a position involves regularly caring for, supervising, training or being in sole charge of children under the age of 18 or vulnerable adults we will seek enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau.
  
  
• All applicants are obliged to complete a Security Questionnaire or Criminal Convictions Declaration Form when applying for a position within the Home Office. The type of form to be completed depends on the level of clearance required for the post. In order for security clearance to be considered, certain pre employment enquiries for example, relating to identity, immigration, some financial and recent background checks will need to be undertaken. The relevant security form can be sent under separate, confidential cover, to authorised individuals and will normally only be seen by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment and vetting process
  
  
• We ensure that all those who are involved in the security vetting process have been suitably trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of offences. We will consider issues such as the post for which the individual is applying, the nature and seriousness of the offence, the length of time since the offence was committed and the relevance of the conviction but each case will be considered individually on its merits.
  
  
• Information about convictions or criminal activities provided as part of the recruitment process will be treated in confidence. A criminal record will not necessarily prevent an individual from gaining security clearance.
  
  
• The HO will maintain the confidentiality of any disclosures made and in asking for disclosures we trust the applicant to be honest about their background. Any failure to disclose relevant circumstances or information is likely to be regarded as evidence of unreliability and will be taken into account in assessing suitability for employment and security clearance.
  
  
• Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment or termination of a contract where employment has already started and then information subsequently comes to light.

• Employ a workforce that reflects, at all levels, the diversity of society as a whole;
  
  
• Treat all our staff and customers with dignity and respect;
  
  
• Develop all our staff to realise their full potential;
  
  
• Ensure that our recruitment, selection, appraisal, training and career progression processes are fair, objective and free from bias or stereotyping; and
  
  
• Take positive action to secure equality of opportunity.

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Timetable

• Closing date - Monday 13th October
  
  
• Long list meeting - Monday 27th October
  
  
• Preliminary interviews (Rockpools) - Friday 31st October, Monday 3rd November, Tuesday 4th November
  
  
• Short list meeting - Friday 14th November
  
  
• Assessments and informal meets - w/c 17th November
  
  
• Final Panel - w/c 1st December

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How to Apply

To apply for this post, please complete the online application form below and ensure you provide the following:

• a supporting statement, explaining how you believe your skills and experience match the requirements of the role, directly addressing the criteria in Part One of the person specification,
  
  
• a short introductory statement demonstrating your motivation for this role,
  
  
• a comprehensive CV including details of your achievements in each role, and including details of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. Please let us know whether you would be happy for us to contact them as part of the process. Referees will not, of course, be contacted without your prior consent

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