People Fire Safety Strategy Lead

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
Corporate and Delivery Directorate works closely with the Home Office’s policy and operational commands to enable us together to deliver the department’s priorities. The directorate is comprised of different teams and professional functions, including Commercial, Finance, People, Portfolio and Project Delivery, Security, Estates and Information and Digital, Data and Technology.
The People Fire Safety Strategy Lead is a high-profile brand-new role that will sit inside the People Safety Team (PST). The successful candidate will lead a team of 13 fire safety professionals and be a key driver in building a best practice fire safety management system across the Home Office. Given the size, complexity and high profile work of the Department, the Fire Safety Strategy Lead will need to work and collaboratively with our stakeholders and be innovative and forward-leaning.
If you are a strong leader and Fire Safety Professional who is committed to developing a strong people fire safety and fire asset management and work with colleagues across the Department to deliver our new Health and Safety Strategy to ensure we meet our legal obligations as an employer under UK fire legislation and keep our staff and customers safe we would love to hear from you., The Home Office People Safety Team (PST) is a centre of excellence sitting within the Home Office Property Services (HOPS) inside Corporate and Delivery Directorate that is accountable for People Safety in terms of policy, audit and training.
The Department’s aspiration is to build a stronger organisation with a safety-first approach that prioritises a safety culture of excellence and a management system. To help us deliver this we are developing our new Health and Safety Strategy 2025-27 “Thinking Safe, Working Safe and Home Safe Every Day”.
As a technical subject matter expert on fire safety management, you will have the ability to monitor and assess proposed new/amended fire legislation and codes of practice for relevance to Home Office’s estate and service delivery.
You will deputise for the Head of Unit, at senior boards, forums and committees when the Head of People Safety is absent and act as joint Silver Command, along with the People Health and Safety Strategy Lead, to ensure safe and effective evacuations 24/7, 365 days a year. As part of the Gold/ Silver/ Bronze Command and Control structure you will have delegated authority to partially or fully close buildings in accordance with UK Fire legislation. This will require some out of hours and on call working. To help you fulfil this you will be trained on managing critical incident, and HO scenario crisis/incident management.
You will be a strong leader with a proven record of engaging others, building and maintaining successful and productive working relationships with stakeholders and delivery partners, including customers and trade unions, you will also be able to organise and manage own workload, be self-motivated and confident.
You will be someone who is a strong communicator who works collaboratively with stakeholders and the Head of People Safety is always appropriately briefed to represent the Department at a number of key boards and Committees, including The Executive Committee, the People Committee and The Audit and Risk Committee (ARAC), on a quarterly rhythm.
What you will be doing day to day:
+ You will lead a team of 13 fire safety professionals, including direct and indirect reports, to focus on building their capability to deliver the Department’s vision and strategy.
+ You will support and drive the strategic function via Health and Safety Transformation for the set up and management of the overarching ‘Fire Safety Management System’ including governance, reporting, systems, and controls to ensure fire safety risks. You will drive new fire systems by collaborating and working in partnership with our data partners and stakeholders on the digitalisation transformation programme.
+ You will be accountable for ensuring fire safety initiatives are included within the Communications and Engagement Plan. You will act as the fire lead auditor and lead on inspection visits and audit programmes, and ensuring accepted recommendations are adopted.
+ You will support the Head of People Safety on the day to day running of the unit and lead the team to deliver the day-to-day functions of the team ensuring the team rollouts out and manages Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for people fire safety across core buildings and share best practice with wider Department.
+ You will hold responsibilities relating to fire safety and the Reporting Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) as appointed and in line with duty holder and responsibilities matrices.
Working pattern
Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis. However, compressed hours is available.
Travel
Travel will be required weekly and will include overnight stays frequently., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Leadership
+ Changing and Improving
+ Delivering at Pace, For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
2. Sift – week commencing 18th November 2024.
The sift will be held on the Personal Statement and CV.
The CV will be scored for all candidates. Those candidates who achieve the minimum pass score for the CV will progress to a further sift where the personal statement will be scored. These candidates will receive a sift score for both elements. Candidates who fail to meet the minimum pass score for the CV will not have their personal statement and will only receive a sift score for the CV.
3. Interview – week commencing 9th December 2024.
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be:
+ Behaviours (as listed in the job advert) and experience-based questions.
In addition, candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation that will be delivered at interview. The presentation will be assessed against 'Experience' on the 'Success Profiles' and will be assessed against the 'Essential Criteria' as listed in the job advertisement. The presentation question/scenario will be disclosed closer to the interviews., You can select up to three locations in order of preference. Please ensure that these are locations you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at one of your preferred location(s) and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.
Reserve lists will be held for each location. Candidates will be appointed in merit order by location.
Standards
All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Additional Security checks
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
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.
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. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
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 HOrecruitment.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.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a 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 window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

+ An experienced, confident and credible leader who is able to drive high levels of performance in a team that is delivering complex multifaceted change workstreams in a fast-paced environment alongside significant BAU workload delivery.
+ By the point you are appointed to the role, you will have already obtained either MIFireE or MIFSM membership with relevant supporting fire safety management qualifications at Level 4 or equivalent in fire safety.
+ A strong communicator, you will be able to communicate effectively at all levels of the Department and be influential, demonstrate grip and command the respect of stakeholders and seniors.
+ You will be adept at developing and implementing standards, optimising processes, and driving continuous improvement while maintaining a focus on customer service excellence and legal compliance.
Desirable criteria
+ You will be able to demonstrate strong commercial acumen, with proven experience of working with commercial colleagues and engaging and managing suppliers and complex service contracts.

Memberships
MIFM or MIFireE

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
+ In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
+ 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
+ Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
+ Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.