Decisions Officer

Job Introduction

**Role Name**:Decisions Officer - License Reviewer

**Contract**: 1xPermanent and 1xFixed Term **Location**: Office

**Security Clearance**:CTC **Region**: London

**Salary**:£24,950 **Grade**: H

**Department**: Licensing and Service Delivery - Licence Review Team

**About Us**

The SIA is the organisation responsible for the regulation of private security. It is an independent, arm’s length body (ALB) of the Home Office, reporting to the Home Secretary, under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s purpose protecting the public through effective regulation of the private security industry and working with partners to raise standards across the sector. Its regulatory remit covers the whole of the United Kingdom.

The SIA has two main duties: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities within the private security industry and the management of a voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme, which measures private security suppliers against independently assessed criteria.

SIA licensing covers security operatives who are in guarding, door supervision, close protection, cash and valuables in transit, and public space surveillance using CCTV, vehicle immobilisation (in Northern Ireland) and key holding. Licensing ensures that private security operatives are fit and proper persons who are properly trained and qualified to do their job.

Our core purpose is protecting the public through effective regulation of the private security industry and working with partners to rise standards across the sector.

**About the Role**

**Responsibilities**
- To achieve team and individual performance targets through the delivery of performance and key performance indicators
- Prioritise and manage own workloads and meet targets and deadlines.
- Using the most appropriate form of communication, respond to applicant queries in a prompt and professional manner, providing additional specialist advice when required. Draft high quality licence review letters, demonstrating appropriate consideration of any mitigation provided by the applicant / licence holder and which can be successfully defended at appeal in court
- Make judgments on when case referrals to Compliance and Inspections or Criminal Investigations may be appropriate. Ensure all documentation is correctly logged and information held is accurate, taking remedial action if incorrect.
- To obtain and accurately record evidence to support all decisions that may be appealed at court or to a civil standard and present material, including reports and evidence and where appropriate and liaise with the SIA’s legal advisors and senior managers to support cases being progressed to a conclusion.
- Support Specialists and Managers with non-conviction information, including the use of Intel information, in the processing of suspensions and revocations
- Liaise with Managed Service Provider, criminal records checking agencies and appropriate partner agencies in order to resolve licensing issues
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested from time to time, within the job-holder’s capabilities. Providing cover for other operational teams and departments.
- To operate consistently within the SIA’s internal policies and procedures
- Ensure procedures and practices comply with the Private Security Industry Act 2001, SIA Policies, the Data Protection Act, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, Criminal Procedure and Investigatory Powers Act, the Freedom of Information Act, the Human Rights Act and all relevant legislation
- To undertake relevant training and self-development in order to become multi-skilled in the processing of individual licensing.

**Essential and Desirable Criteria**

**Essential**:

- Experience of casework or similar type of function involving the need for impartial decision making.
- Proven knowledge of understanding the policies and procedures in relation to the decision-making process for businesses, individuals and company approval.
- Capable of prioritising workflows in order to meet targets and achieve result
- Demonstrable ability to act under own initiative and constantly strive to deliver excellence in work
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, and a capacity to work with a wide range of people, as well as excellent team working skills
- An understanding of, or experience in, a regulatory body or public sector processes.

**Desirable**:

- Experience of attending court as a witness or representative for either a private or public sector body.
- An understanding of, or experience in, a regulatory body or public sector processes

**Person Specification**
- Proactive and flexible
- Ability to prioritise and use initiative
- Negotiation and communication skills at all levels
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Approachable and a team player.

**Benefits**
- A welcoming and innovative work environment
- Continued support and