Head of Operational Support - Ch Supt - Counter Terrorism Policing HQ
16947
About Counter Terrorism Policing
Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) is a collaboration of UK police forces who work closely with the UK intelligence community to counter terrorism and other threats to national security.
The UK faces an enduring terrorist threat, which has become more diverse and increasingly challenging to discover and interdict. The UK also faces increasing hostile activity from some foreign states, manifested through a range of different threat types. CTP plays a unique role in keeping the public safe from such threats and in creating a hard operating environment for those who seek to harm the UK, UK interests and the public.
CTP helps to protect the public and our national security by preventing, deterring and investigating activity from terrorists and hostile acts by foreign states. Uniquely, the police service, and in particular the Counter Terrorism Policing network, contributes to all four Pillars of the government’s National Counter Terrorism strategy - CONTEST.
CTP comprises of over 10,500 officers and staff and has an annual budget of around £1 billion. The counter-terrorism network stretches across England & Wales and sees specialist officers and staff working with the Security Services (UKIC) and other partners.
CTP comprises five Counter Terrorism Units (CTUs) and four Counter Terrorism Intelligence Units (CTIUs) based at different sites across England & Wales, which bring together intelligence, operations and investigation functions, engaging with a range of partners to prevent terrorist activity. These units are nationally aligned assets, which are regionally based to meet the current threat and have been implemented and resourced by ‘lead’ police forces. The network includes a wide range of investigative, forensic, intelligence and financial specialists. At the centre of the network sits the national Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters (CTPHQ) and the national Counter Terrorism Operations Centre (CTOC).
Purpose
CT Policing Headquarters is made up of a number of capabilities that have a national and international responsibility to the Counter Terrorism Network. The role holder will have responsibility for development and delivery of CTP Operational Support capabilities.
This role will be hosted by the MPS as a posting for 2 years extendable to 5 years subject to annual reviews. The post will report into the Deputy Senior National Co-ordinator (Deputy SNC) for Counter Terrorism Policing. The post will primarily be based at CTOC alongside UKIC and CTP colleagues; with an understanding that the role holder may occasionally work from other CTP locations when operationally necessary or expedient.
Key Elements
- Leadership and coordination as the Head of Operations, providing oversight and supporting operational intelligence and investigative activities of the CT(I)Us across the national CT network.
- Leading national coordination and delivery as capability lead for Tasking and Coordination, Humint and Surveillance Capabilities, reporting progress to the chair of the CTP Prevent and Pursue Board.
- Represent CTP at strategic meetings with Government and key operational partners.
- Performing the role as Joint chair of the Local Resource Planning Meeting HQ, The HQ Training Board, Leading on Health and Safety workplace inspections, Member of HQ People Board, Member of HQ Wellbeing Board and Member of HQ Rewards and Recognition Panel.
- Undertake on-call duties as part of the national CTP Senior on call cadre; supporting SNC or D/SNC during Critical CT Incident including responsibility for mobilisation of the National Network.
- Leading operational planning for significant events that require co-ordinated CT effort.
- Perform the role of SRO or Project Executive for CTPHQ transformation programmes and project work.
- Work in collaboration with the Offices of the National Coordinators ‘Prevent’ and ‘Protect and Prepare’ under the leadership of the Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
This role requires significant leadership experience in serious crime and/or counter terrorism, with the ability to support complex, fast time and high risk operations. It is a dynamic role that combines operational oversight with strategic delivery.
This role requires an understanding of the national and international police landscape including an understanding of how police engage and interact with other agencies, partners and stakeholders. The role holder therefore requires a good knowledge of the National CT Network Structures and a thorough understanding of key national security policing stakeholders domestically and abroad.
Effective verbal and written communication is essential as is the ability to negotiate and influence within a challenging, executive and highly political environment. Being skilled in these competencies is necessary to enable the role holder to engage with and influence the various individuals, units, department and agencies that are represented within the CT policing arena.
The role holder will need experience of strategic decision making and the factors that affect such decisions. They must have an awareness of political issues and their relevance to policing.
Specialist Requirements
- Knowledge and understanding of the UK Counter Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST) and the wider Government response to terrorism and other national security threats both nationally and internationally
- Significant relationship and partnership skills
- Background in Policing Counter Terrorism or Serious Organised Crime (including covert policing).
- Developed Vetting level (you will be required to undergo DV vetting for this role)
Desirable Requirements
- Experience of working nationally and/or internationally
- Experience in change or project management and delivery
Person Specification
Applications are invited from substantive Chief Superintendents and suitably qualified Superintendents whose Chief Constable supports them for substantive promotion or temporary promotion.
Additional Details
This is a posting for a minimum period of two years extendable to a maximum of five years, reviewable annually.
Please note - all postings are subject to WDU approval.
Hours of Work
The provisions of the Police Regulations will apply. Full time weekly hours are usually 40 (inclusive of lunch breaks).
Vetting and STRAP
This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Developed Vetting (DV) level before taking up the post.
Additionally, this material is of particular sensitivity to the UK and its distribution must be restricted to UK nationals. In approved circumstances dual nationals (of which one element is British) may also be granted access. However, in the event that potential conflicts of interest cannot be managed the post holder will not be able to see the intelligence material and will not be able to perform their duties. For the purpose of safeguarding national security and in line with Cabinet Office Policy, supported by Section 82(2) to (4) of the Police Reform Act (2002), applicants who do not hold or acquire Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) or Developed Vetting (DV) clearance and meet the nationality requirements cannot be offered the post.
All appointments are subject to the post holder satisfying the highest levels of security clearance at the time of appointment and for the duration of the posting. Failure to achieve such clearance or removal of such clearance will result in the posting being rescinded. This does not affect your statutory right.
Confidentiality Agreement
Applicants should also be aware of the need to sign a confidentiality agreement on taking up the post.
Business Interests
There is a requirement to declare any business interest or secondary employment and/or the business interest of their spouse, civil partner or relative who lives with them. This is to ensure the business interest or secondary employment is compatible with the nature of the national counter terrorism role that they will be performing.
Rest Days
CTPHQ has an expectation that officers will arrive into post with no more than 5 outstanding rest days as a maximum.
Our Employee Commitments
Counter Terrorism Policing aims to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere and culture and an environment where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are able to reach their full potential. Where any group or individual can be and feel respected, supported and valued to fully participate and contribute to our mission of “Working to keep people safe from Terrorism”.
Inclusion, diversity and equality is at the front and center of our approach to make the composition of Counter Terrorism Policing more representative of the communities we serve. As Counter Terrorism is rooted in Local Policing, to tackle today’s complex policing challenges, applications from across all communities are therefore essential and encouraged. Counter Terrorism Policing as a network is committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations’.
Counter Terrorism Policing is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working arrangements, and including part time working or job share. In addition, this role has been reviewed following learning from work during the Covid pandemic and may be done in an agile manner. In the first instance, please contact the vacancy holder to discuss how such arrangements could be accommodated (where applicable).
Further information
We will respect the privacy of any initial approach or expression of interest in this role, whether formal or informal. If you have any queries on any aspect of the role, need additional information or wish to have an informal confidential discussion, please contact either DSNC Richard Smith (Richared.Smith2@met.police.uk) DCS Mike Lupton (Michael.Lupton@met.police.uk).
Please provide your dates to avoid for the next 2 months; these should be listed at the bottom of your application.
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Disability Confident Statement
The Met is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from ethnic minority groups and females.
As a Disability Confident employer, the Met has committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. If you consider yourself to have access, workplace or reasonable adjustment requirements that need to be accommodated, we ask that you include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence and will not affect any recruitment decisions.
Read our full disability confidence statement.
This opportunity is closed to applications.