Principal Review and Insights Advisor - Martyn's LawJobsGoPublic
Job summary
The SIA is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office, set up in 2004 to regulate certain activities in the private security industry. Currently, we employ nearly 400 members of staff. We are operationally independent of government.
We are now preparing to take on new responsibilities as the regulator of Martyn’s Law - named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people who tragically died on 22 May 2017 in the terrorist attack on Manchester Arena. Martyn’s Law, introduced by the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is intended to improve protective security and preparedness at premises and events across the UK.
The new Act will require premises in scope to be prepared to keep people safe in the event of an attack. Certain larger premises and events will also need to take steps to reduce their vulnerability to acts of terrorism.
Martyn’s Law is primarily a civil, regulatory regime. We will regulate supportively and proportionately but robustly. The SIA will have new guidance, investigatory and inspection functions and a range of new powers and sanctions. Our new Martyn’s Law functions will sit alongside and complement our existing responsibility for regulating the private security industry.
Job description
Help shape how Martyn’s Law works in practice and make a lasting contribution to public protection.
This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in the development and continuous improvement of the regulatory approach to Martyn’s Law. As Principal Review and Insights Advisor, you will lead the review and insight activity that helps ensure regulatory guidance is evidence-led, effective and delivers meaningful outcomes across the regulated sector.
Working within the Martyn’s Law Regulator (MLR) Guidance and Review function, you will turn evidence into action. You will draw together learning from inspections, desk-based assessments, stakeholder intelligence, research, the public and wider regulatory activity to identify emerging risks, trends and opportunities for improvement. You will then translate those insights into practical recommendations and high-quality guidance that helps premises and event organisers understand their responsibilities.
This is a role for someone who enjoys tackling complex questions and using sound judgement to reach clear conclusions. You will have significant autonomy to determine the right review and evaluation approaches for novel issues, while working closely with the Head of Guidance and Review and colleagues across the organisation.
Your analysis will have real influence. You will prepare reports, briefings and strategic recommendations for senior leaders, including the MLR Deputy Director and Head of Guidance and Review, helping to shape national guidance, regulatory priorities and interventions. You will also engage confidently with a wide range of stakeholders, from Home Office officials and counter-terrorism partners to local authorities, regulators, professional bodies and representatives of the premises and events sectors.
We are looking for an experienced review, evaluation, assurance or performance improvement professional who can combine strong analytical thinking with excellent communication and influencing skills. You will be comfortable interpreting complex quantitative and qualitative evidence, identifying what really matters, and communicating it clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Experience of working in a regulatory, protective security or counter-terrorism environment would be advantageous, as would knowledge of evaluation methodologies, performance frameworks or guidance assurance.
Above all, you will bring curiosity, sound judgement, collaboration and a commitment to using evidence to drive better outcomes.
Join us and help turn insight into action — improving compliance with Martyn’s Law and contributing to the protection of people across the country.
Person specification
Essential
Substantial experience of leading complex review, evaluation, assurance, or performance improvement activities with organisation-wide, sector level or public impact.
Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including the ability to interpret large and complex datasets and draw clear, evidence-based conclusions that can be communicated to a non-technical audience.
Experience of designing and delivering effective evaluation activities that translate research or learnings into practical recommendations, improvements and guidance materials.
Ability to exercise independent judgement in novel or ambiguous situations to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of guidance or regulatory and operational processes.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including a strong record of developing strategic options and recommendations for decision makers and influencing their adoption through clear evidence, constructive challenge and sound judgement.
Strong stakeholder engagement and ability to build productive relationships across organisations.
Ability to identify emerging risks, issues, and trends, and recommend appropriate solutions.
Experience of producing high-quality reports, briefings, and recommendations to inform senior decision making.
Desirable
Experience working within a regulatory environment or knowledge of protective security, or relevant counter terrorism related fields (protect and/or prepare).
Knowledge of evaluation methodologies, performance frameworks, and impact assessment approaches.
Experience of auditing, reviewing, or assuring policy or guidance products.
Understanding of how guidance influences compliance and stakeholder behaviours.
Experience of working in a fast-changing environment and managing conflicting priorities.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £58,501, Security Industry Authority contributes £16,947 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
A welcoming and innovative work environment.
Continued support and development opportunities.
Access to training for attainment of recognised qualifications.
Flexible working arrangements.
Annual leave entitlement will be 27.5 days, rising by one additional day for every two years of service up to a maximum of 32.5 days.
A variety of discounts including Gymflex.
Civil Service Pension Scheme – employee contribution between 4.60% and 7.35% and employer contribution between 26.60% and 30.30%.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
The SIA does not use Success Profiles - please disregard any information below in relation to this.
After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Judgement Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.
Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 28th September 2026. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
Online Test
Our online test supplier will be performing scheduled maintenance between midday to 1pm on 13th September 2026, ET (US Eastern) 7 am - 8 am. and 4pm to midnight on 27th September 2026, ET (US Eastern) 11am - 7pm. You will be unable to access tests during this period.
If you are in the middle of a test when the maintenance begins, your progress will be paused. You will be able to resume your test from where you left off via your application centre once the downtime has ended. Please note that you will not be able to launch any new tests while the system is offline.
You will be directed to the Talogy - True Talent – Scheduled Maintenance Window Webpage for online tests during an outage.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and 500-word personal statement.
Further details around guidance for this is listed on the application form.
If you fail to submit all aspects of the application before the deadline of 23:55 on 28th September, your application will be withdrawn.
Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to outline why you believe you would be an ideal candidate for this role. Please highlight your relevant skills, experience and achievements that align with the essential job requirements.
To help us assess your suitability for the role, please complete the CV incorporated into the application form by providing as much information as possible about your previous work experience and achievements.
Should we receive a large number of applications, they will be sifted on personal statement only.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interview details will be provided to successful candidates prior to their interview taking place.
Sift and Interview Process:
Sift will take place from 29th September.
Interviews will be held during the week commencing 19th October.
Interviews will be held in person at our London office. You will be required to prepare and deliver a presentation at interview stage.
Further Information
A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for a maximum of 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
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.
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 [email protected] 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.
Criminal Record Check
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. 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 [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
National Security vetting
Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Name : SIA Recruitment Team
Email : [email protected]
Recruitment team
Email : [email protected]
Further information
Complaints should be submitted to [email protected] . If, after investigation by the SIA, the complainant remains dissatisfied, they may bring their complaint to the Civil Service Commission.
Attachments
MLR Principal Review & Insights Advisor JD Opens in new window (pdf, 197kB)MLR Candidate Briefing Pack v2 Opens in new window (pdf, 2485kB)2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)