Protective Security Specialist - Martyn's Law

Job summary

The SIA is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office, set up in 2004 to regulate certain activities in the private security industry. Currently, we employ nearly 400 members of staff. We are operationally independent of government.

We are now preparing to take on new responsibilities as the regulator of Martyn’s Law - named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people who tragically died on 22 May 2017 in the terrorist attack on Manchester Arena. Martyn’s Law, introduced by the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is intended to improve protective security and preparedness at premises and events across the UK.

The new Act will require premises in scope to be prepared to keep people safe in the event of an attack. Certain larger premises and events will also need to take steps to reduce their vulnerability to acts of terrorism.

Martyn’s Law is primarily a civil, regulatory regime. We will regulate supportively and proportionately but robustly. The SIA will have new guidance, investigatory and inspection functions and a range of new powers and sanctions. Our new Martyn’s Law functions will sit alongside and complement our existing responsibility for regulating the private security industry.

Job description

Use your expertise to help shape a new era of public protection.

This is a unique opportunity to apply your protective security expertise where it can make a real difference to public safety. As a Protective Security Specialist within the Martyn’s Law Regulator’s Inspections and Enforcement function, you will play a key role in supporting the implementation of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn’s Law) across the UK.

As a lead subject matter expert, you will provide authoritative specialist advice to inspection and assessment teams undertaking Terrorism Protection investigations. You’ll help ensure regulatory decisions are proportionate, consistent, evidence-based and informed by current protective security standards, emerging threats and best practice .

You’ll provide expert advice on complex and high-risk cases, assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of protective security measures, and identify both areas of regulatory concern and examples of good practice. You’ll also contribute to thematic reviews, investigations, inspection frameworks, technical quality assurance, guidance and staff training.

The role offers significant opportunity to influence how the regulator develops its protective security capability. You’ll advise senior leaders on emerging security developments, mentor inspectors and assessors, and help strengthen organisational understanding of protective security risk.

Building strong partnerships will be central to your success. You’ll work with NaCTSO, NPSA, policing and counter terrorism agencies, local authorities, regulators, government departments and sector security leads , representing the regulator at external forums, briefings and conferences.

We’re looking for someone with significant protective security experience , ideally including counter terrorism and/or security risk management, and a proven ability to provide specialist advice within operational, inspection, audit or regulatory environments. You’ll have strong knowledge of physical, personnel and operational security, protective security risk management, counter terrorism measures, and security governance and assurance.

A recognised protective security qualification is required, or equivalent professional experience.

If you’re a credible expert with sound judgement, strategic thinking and the confidence to influence senior stakeholders, this is an opportunity to put your expertise at the heart of protecting the public and shaping the future of Martyn’s Law regulation.

Person specification

Essential

• Significant experience in protective security
• Experience providing specialist advice to operational, inspection, audit or regulatory teams.
• Experience of interpreting security requirements and applying them in complex environments.
• Experience of producing technical guidance on protective security measures.
• Experience of engaging with senior stakeholders and external partners as a subject matter expert .
• Detailed knowledge of:
• Physical, personnel and operational security
• Protective security risk management
• Counter terrorism protective security measures
• Security governance and assurance
• Authoritative guidance produced by government departments and protective security partners.
• Excellent analytical and judgment skills.
• Ability to challenge constructively and support robust decision making.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills , able to build effective and enduring relationships at senior levels with a range of stakeholders and partners and act with credibility at senior levels internally and externally.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with experience delivering work effectively within time pressured or high demand environments.
• Demonstrate excellent understanding of operational risk and prioritisation.

Desirable

• Significant experience in counter terrorism and/or security risk management.
• Qualified in Counter Terrorism Security Management to LCGI Level 4 or GCGI level 6 or equivalent.
• Experience of manging the coordination of work across teams and contributing to the delivery of shared objectives within a collaborative environment.
• A flexible attitude to working hours with the ability to adapt to changing demands.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £49,251, Security Industry Authority contributes

£14,268 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• A welcoming and innovative work environment.
• Continued support and development opportunities.
• Access to training for attainment of recognised qualifications.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Annual leave entitlement will be 27.5 days, rising by one additional day for every two years of service up to a maximum of 32.5 days.
• A variety of discounts including Gymflex.
• Civil Service Pension Scheme – employee contribution between 4.60% and 7.35% and employer contribution between 26.60% and 30.30%.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

The SIA does not use Success Profiles - please disregard any information below in relation to this.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and 500-word personal statement. Further details around guidance for this is listed on the application form. If you fail to submit all aspects of the application before the deadline of 23:55 on 30th September, your application will be withdrawn.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to outline why you believe you would be an ideal candidate for this role. Please highlight your relevant skills, experience and achievements that align with the essential job requirements.

To help us assess your suitability for the role, please complete the CV incorporated into the application form by providing as much information as possible about your previous work experience and achievements.

Should we receive a large number of applications, they will be sifted on personal statement only.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Interview details will be provided to successful candidates prior to their interview taking place.

Sift and Interview Process:

Sift will take place from 1st October.

Interviews will be held from 14th October.

Interviews will be held on MS Teams.

Further Information

A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for a maximum of 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Visa sponsorship

We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.

If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.

You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.

For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via sia.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
• Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Criminal Record Check

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct.

If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk

National Security vetting

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website .

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new windo