Security Adviser

Our world‑leading Time & Frequency department seeks an experienced and practicing Security Advisor with prior experience in physical, procedural, and personnel security implementation.

You will be joining our team at an exciting time— we maintain the UK’s National Time Scale, UTC (NPL), and are currently developing a new resilient Time Scale facility that will underpin our digital infrastructure. This will address the risks associated with our dependency on global navigation satellite systems (such as GPS) that are vulnerable to both natural and intentional interference.

As Security Advisor
, you’ll enjoy working alongside prominent scientists, engineers and security professionals to support the implementation of security mitigations and controls across the physical, procedural, and personnel security domains.

• Assist in conducting (or conduct in solitude) security risk assessments, protective security audits, and physical security requirements.
• Support the development and maintenance of security policies, procedures, and standards.
• Conduct or support security investigations, including root cause analysis where required.
• Assist in developing security screening and vetting processes in line with UK legislative requirements.
• Contribute to security awareness training and internal communications campaigns.
• Support third‑party risk management and the assured supply chain by reviewing supplier security documentation.
• Provide pragmatic and appropriate guidance across the Organisation on security requirements, procedures, processes, and legislation.
• Assist in effecting a security culture change, utilising clear and robust security policies and processes to ensure NPL clearly manages all security aspects.
• Assist in developing strategic plans to address gaps in security performance considering new threats and developing capabilities for new technologies.
• Stay informed on emerging security threats and trends to support proactive defence strategies.

• Substantial experience in physical and procedural security (or related discipline); such as risk management, protective security, technical or process management with a willingness to develop into a security role.
• Previous experience in working with the Government Security Classification Policy (GSCP) and implementation of control measures commensurate with classification.
• Previous experience of implementing the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) principles of protective security.
• National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) Foundation Course qualification (desired).
• Knowledge of security requirements and experience with Government Functional Standard GovS:007 Security.
• Experience working in a regulated environment (such as utilities, government department, national infrastructure, etc.).
• Understanding of the cyber threat landscape and the interplay between cyber and physical security controls.
• The ability to communicate clearly and concisely, translating technical security issues into business terms; includes drafting reports for wide ranging audiences.
• Membership of professional security bodies (such as The Security Institute (SyI) or Association of Security Consultants (ASC)).

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process.

To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. However, to work in this role in the Time & Frequency department, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance.

Please note:

Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert; therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.