Manager, Security Vetting

Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Director, Internal Affairs, the Manager, Security Vetting will be responsible for: 

• Oversee all aspects of implementing the JCA’s security vetting policy. 
• Manage a small team of security vetting officers charged with carrying out security vetting for all agency staff, including temporary staff. 
• Provide advice to the CEO, Senior Director of Internal Affairs, and HRM on implementing security vetting policy.
• Liaise with the Ministry of National Security to ensure compliance with GOJ security vetting policies and standards and the Revenue Protection Division on the security vetting of high-risk categories of staff. 
• Ensure proper adjudication of closed and completed investigations.

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee the agency personnel's security vetting policy, standards, and maintenance procedures.
• Provide advice and guidance on implementing security vetting policy to the Senior Director, Internal Affairs, CEO and HRM as required.
• Oversee the security vetting of recruitment candidate, all staff, including temporary staff accessing JCA facilities and resources.
• Devise and maintain a rolling programme of vetting for all staff in the JCA based on a three to five-year review cycle and make provision for carrying out vetting spot-checks on the team outside of this cycle, either randomly or for cause by:
  • Overseeing the conduct of security vetting by staff within the Unit.
  • Managing more sensitive vetting cases per the JCA’s rolling programme of vetting staff every five years.
  • Ensuring and carrying out vetting spot checks on staff outside of the review cycle, either as part of a random sample or for change of circumstances or cause.
  • Ensuring the conduct of spot-checks on individuals to monitor compliance with vetting policies within the organisation.
  • Ensuring the maintenance of a record/database that captures the security vetting details and status of all central JCA staff and the date for review; and,
  • Reviewing recommendations to grant, deny, vary or withdraw clearances before referral to HRM for a decision.
  • Conducting and overseeing the conduct of interviews to determine the suitability and providing written recommendations regarding clearance to HRM.
• Provide quality assurance on personnel security vetting carried out by Branch staff and ensure that all security vetting clearances are processed according to Agency and GOJ standards and policies.
• Collaborate with the Director, Physical Security & Surveillance Monitoring Services to:
  • Raise awareness of protective security issues among staff, including their security responsibilities about vetting status.
  • Develop and deliver training in security vetting as part of broader protective security awareness-raising efforts as required.
• Liaise with the Ministry of National Security to ensure that the JCA’s personnel security vetting policy, standards, and procedures align with GOJ policies and standards.
• Ensure collaboration and support with national security agencies on security vetting policy, standards, and procedures to ensure compliance with governmental guidelines and standards.
• Monitor security clearance processes to ensure compliance with Agency and GOJ standards and policies.
• Secure appropriate training programmes for security vetting personnel.

Human Resource/Management Responsibilities

• Monitor and evaluate direct reports' performances, prepare performance appraisals, and recommend and indicate corrective actions to improve performance and attain established personal and organisational goals.
• Undertake human resource management-related functions, including staff selection, training, and discipline according to the Agency’s policies and procedures, and convening staff meetings to discuss issues and matters/challenges impacting the branch's performance and determine appropriate solutions.
• Participate in recruiting staff for the Branch and recommend transfer, promotions, terminations, and leave according to established human resource policies and procedures.
• Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, monitoring, and coaching.
• Ensure the welfare and development needs of skills in the Branch are identified and addressed.

Management/Administrative Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day guidance and manage the Branch’s activities and operations.
• Ensure that all required processes, systems, and controls are in place within the Section to enable the effective and efficient achievement of its objectives and ensure the effective and efficient use of resources.
• Ensure that appropriate physical resources are available to undertake duties efficiently and effectively.
  • Ensure the timely delivery of the Branch’s responsibilities to the JCA’s annual corporate planning and budgeting process.
  • Ensure that appropriate communication and knowledge management systems are in place within the Branch and with other internal or external Divisions/Branches to facilitate the accurate and timely sharing of relevant information.
• Ensure that the branch's work is adequately documented.
• Establish and maintain a culture that fosters teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Sections and organisations’ goals.
• Prepare reports and project documents as required.   
• Develop, monitor, and coordinate budget preparation and monitoring and sign off on related requisitions for the Branch.

Customer Service Responsibilities

• Maintain customer service principles, standards, and measurements.
• Identify and incorporate the interests and needs of customers in business process design. 

Other Responsibilities

• Performs all other duties and functions as may be required occasionally.
• May be required to provide witness statements, attend court proceedings, and give evidence.
• Enforce Health & Safety Policies & Procedures and mitigate and minimise workplace hazards.

Required Competencies

Core

• Excellent leadership, team building, and staff management and development skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including interacting with many people and organisations.
• Excellent evidence-gathering, file and case-management skills.
• Excellent research, interviewing and investigative skills, with keen attention to detail.
• Strong planning and organisational skills
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills
• Ability to work on initiative within a fast-paced team environment.
• Ability to analyse and interpret information for decision-making.
• Ability to think strategically and solve complex problems.
• Ability to establish rapport with various people of various types and situations.
• Ability to display high ethics, confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity.

Technical

• Expert knowledge of Customs laws and related statutes and regulations for port/airport operations and import/export of goods (including those related to health, immigration, quarantine, drugs, firearms and agricultural products)
• Comprehensive knowledge of acts and regulations relating to maritime and commercial air and shipping practices.
• Sound knowledge of evidence requirements and investigation techniques
• Sound knowledge of specialist investigation skills, including forensic accounting and computer analysis.
• Sound knowledge of security vetting and protective security issues
• Sound understanding of personnel security risk factors and vulnerabilities relating to national security and law enforcement.
• Sound knowledge of computer systems and applications, including the capacity to use ICT-based analytical tools.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• First degree in Public Administration, Social Sciences, or equivalent qualification.
• Six (6) years experience in security clearance assessment-related area, preferably with three (3) years of managerial experience
• Supervisory Management training/experience required
• Experience in the public sector, military, policing, or intelligence work.
• Experience in applying the Customs Act and related legislation would be advantageous.

Special Conditions Associated with The Job

• Work will be conducted in an office with standard equipment and specialised software. 
• The environment is fast-paced, with ongoing interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines, resulting in high degrees of pressure on occasions.
• May be required to travel locally and overseas to attend conferences, seminars and meetings.
• A fair degree of travelling (>40%) periodically is required to investigate and review operational activities. 
• May be required to work long hours (>50 hours weekly) over protracted periods.
• May be exposed to threats and hazardous substances based on locations visited occasionally to investigate operational breaches.