Senior Advisor, Recruitment and Vetting Development

Salary: £50,477 to £56,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: SC

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship.

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

While the Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for overall policy on aviation security, the CAA provides advice and assistance to both Government and the aviation industry on the development and delivery of that policy, primarily through regulation, and oversees its effective implementation in the UK.   This post sits within the CAA’s Aviation Security Regulation Division and will help to run the team which focuses on managing security risks associated with the hundreds of thousands of personnel working in the UK aviation sector. The team provides expert advice and analysis in support of regulatory functions and policy development in this area, as well as delivering the security vetting of personnel in industry. Activities include assessing policy and regulatory options, reviewing the effectiveness of existing regulatory measures, providing tools to monitor and enhance industry’s performance, and implementing developments in security vetting.

The Senior Advisor will support, and act as deputy to, the Head of Personnel Security in providing advice, analysis and appraisal in relation to relevant areas of the UK’s National Aviation Security Programme (NASP), with particular focus on regulatory measures relating to personnel security and the mitigation of insider vulnerability through recruitment standards and the use of UK National Security Vetting. The Senior Advisor will lead on managing specific projects, drawing on the resources across the Vetting team to develop regulatory measures for personnel security, update the standards and practises for industry recruitment and embed human factors in the recruitment and vetting process required of industry.

Core Accountabilities

The role includes both business-as-usual work and specific projects.

Business As Usual

• Identifying potential vulnerabilities informed by a good understanding of the current the threat and risk picture;
• Reviewing current aviation security regulations and identifying gaps, issues or opportunities for improvement;
• Engaging with senior stakeholders in industry, typically at Security Manager level, and developing constructive relationships and detailed knowledge in order to understand operational impacts and nuances to help ensure that measures are proportionate, effective, and sustainable;
• Providing advice on security vetting matters in support of policy development;
• Completing risk and impact assessments to ensure full understanding of the effectiveness and consequences of potential interventions;
• Carrying out analysis and producing written reports with clear and justifiable options and recommendations;
• Producing instructions for lawyers as a basis for drafting new or amended regulations;
• Providing advice on the implementation and oversight of regulation, including support and guidance on interpretation, both to industry and to auditor colleagues in the Compliance team.
• Developing and managing a project-based approach using matrix working.

Projects

• Overhaul of compliance monitoring for recruitment and vetting.
• Review of aviation industry functions.
• Extension of recruitment and vetting requirements to new functions.
• Ensuring relevant human factors aspects are embedded in regulatory requirements with appropriate advice and guidance provided to industry.

About You

The successful applicant will need to be able to demonstrate the following:

• A proven record as a well-organised, reliable and proactive self-starter, able to manage a programme of work and the timely delivery of specified outcomes effectively and to a high standard;
• Interpersonal and other skills necessary to build effective working relationships with stakeholders and to work well within a team;
• Effective and authoritative communication skills, both written and oral;
• A proven ability to assimilate, interpret and assess complex information, and use this to develop and articulate evidence-based policy options and advice.

Recent experience in one or more of the following areas is essential:

• Personnel recruitment principles and practices;
• National Security Vetting principles and practices;
• Human factors principles and practices.

Whilst not essential, recent experience in one of more of the following areas is also desirable:

• Data protection principles and practices;
• Security issues, risk management and / or counter terrorism principles, ideally in an aviation context;
• Government and / or CAA policy-making and regulatory processes.

The successful applicant will need to hold or be willing and able to obtain, security vetting to SC level (note that this requires uninterrupted residency in the UK for a minimum of 5 years). This may extend to a need for DV subject to specific workload requirements.

The post is based at CAA’s London office at Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf. However, the Aviation Security Directorate operates to hybrid working principles which can permit regular working from home or other offices where this aligns with the needs of the role and of the wider team, and consistent with wider CAA policies. Flexible working patterns such as reduced or compressed hours will also be considered. IT equipment will be provided.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Sunday 15th June 2025

Interview Date: W/C Monday 23rd or 30th June 2025

Please note the hiring manager has asked for a cover letter to be provided with every application. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.