POSITION DESCRIPTION

Transcription

1 NZSOC Operations Officer POSITION DESCRIPTION Unit/Branch, Directorate: Location: New Zealand Security Operations Centre, Intelligence Directorate Wellington Salary range: G $68,316 - $102,474 Purpose of position: New Zealand Security Operations Centre (NZSOC) Operations Officers provide GCSB and selected government agencies with timely, relevant and structured operational over-watch and support regarding situations, events or crises that may threaten New Zealand's national security and interests or impact upon New Zealanders. NZSOC Operations Officers also ensure GCSB mission continuity by providing a continuous 24/7 focal point for national security operations. As a sole charge position, Operations Officers act alone, possess authority, and must exercise discretion, initiative and judgement to identify solutions and achieve the desired results. NZSOC Operations Officers are recognised and trusted, as professionals by their customers, both internal and external. The New Zealand Security Operations Centre (NZSOC) is acknowledged as the centre of excellence for operational continuity, especially outside of normal business hours. Our mission at the GCSB is to protect and enhance New Zealand s security and wellbeing. Our values are Respect, Commitment, Integrity and Courage Intelligence Directorate purpose: The core activities of the Intelligence Directorate are the planning and conduct of GCSB intelligence collection, processing, production, and distribution in accordance with agreed Government policy and requirements, and the overall coordination of New Zealand operational intelligence assets to meet national requirements. The Directorate is also responsible for providing support to military operations, support to other agencies under section 13 of the Intelligence and Security Act and the operation of a 24x7 intelligence watch and warn service for the NZ Government.

2 Key accountabilities Operational Continuity Act as GCSB's (and wider NZ Government) eyes, ears and point of contact, particularly outside of normal business hours when nobody else is working (after-hours / weekends/holidays): Ensure operational continuity for GCSB is maintained, especially during critical events; Apply business processes to ensure the delivery of critical tasks to GCSB and the wider NZ Government, in times of emergency or disaster; Provide out of hours coverage, and perform a back-up role during workday hours for public facing communications channels. Often this involves dealing with vexatious individuals; Monitor the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) communications channels after hours and as a back-up during weekdays, along with information conduits for cyber incidents referencing or potentially having an impact on New Zealanders/New Zealand interests; Ensure staff and management are advised in a timely fashion of any requests for information received by NZSOC. Ensure the Director-General GCSB remains abreast of emerging security threats and trends; Provide a focal point for the coordination and synchronisation of GCSB s response to a disruption or unexpected event or crisis. This includes the immediate triaging of an event or crisis and triggering the necessary responses required, until relieved by a GCSB Manager or an Event Leader is designated; Participate in the development and maintenance of NZSOC reference material (e.g. standard operating procedures, guides, contact lists, task lists), to ensure they remain current and easily assist Operations Officers to react to a situation or event; Operations Officers must be punctual and actively share and collaborate with their colleagues in a manner that builds trust, and ensures issues the NZSOC is facing are well understood between shifts; Complete all mandatory compliance training with no lapses in currency. Deliverables/Outcomes NZSOC Operations Officers are recognised for their high levels of organisational credibility, professionally representing GCSB in order to obtain and convey critical information; Operations Officers act in a prompt and decisive manner in response to any event. GCSB's mission continuity is maintained without compromise; Operations Officers react quickly and ensure any major event impacting the ability of GCSB to remain functional is reported. Operations Officers take clearly defined actions in an emergency that ensures operational continuity where possible, without compromising personal safety. Key decision makers are advised in a timely and structured manner such that they know what is happening and are able to positively react; Key GCSB staff and management are advised in a timely fashion of any incoming requirements, requests or outages from GCSB customers; Pertinent actions and activities undertaken during a shift are fully recorded in accordance with contemporaneous record keeping practices, including notification of significant or unusual events, together with actions taken and/or responses from affected parties; Operations Officers proactively contribute to the ongoing efficiency of NZSOC operations by identifying processes and practices that are not adding value to the customer or NZSOC and suggesting alternatives; Reference material is continuously updated on receipt of changes, new information becoming available and/or tasks levied against NZSOC; Shift handovers to the on-coming Operations Officer are conducted to a high standard to ensure that there is no loss of mission continuity; Operations Officers act in accordance with the relevant policies, NZSOC SOPs and ensure compliance standards regarding

3 Operational Over-watch Deliver timely warning to key personnel in order to provide a decision space that seeks to avoid or mitigate the impact of impending threats to New Zealand's interests or New Zealanders: Constantly monitoring all-source information and conduits, enabling a holistic picture to be formed on events of significance; Ensure that comprehensive and readily accessible documentation is maintained of customer requirements and points of contact for all over-watch operations; Maintain close and continuous collaboration with partner agencies to enhance NZSOC situational awareness and to leverage additional support, particularly during rapidly unfolding events and crises; Maintain an awareness of NZ government deployments either planned or surge responses, especially to high-risk countries. access to, handling, use, protection and dissemination of intelligence are strictly adhered to; After-hours duty personnel are advised in a clear, concise and timely manner of any matter requiring their immediate attention without compromising security; Organising and presenting a wellstructured, clear and effective briefings that has been extensively researched and concentrates on the short term security threats and trends; Synchronisation meetings are successfully hosted by the duty Operations Officer and result in a clear and coordinated overview of topics of interest being exchanged and recorded; Intensive monitoring of a crisis situation ensures that the appropriate response is quickly determined, including if necessary, the collation of relevant information for those personnel or teams likely to be involved in crisis response; Serve as the focal point for initial crisis response and provide continuity of event leadership across GCSB until relieved by a GCSB Manager or an Event Leader is designated; If required, proactively seek additional resources to ensure that an event is sufficiently supported. Over-watch is achieved by gathering available information conduits in order to maintain a broad situational awareness of domestic, regional and global events; and Informing relevant customers in a timely manner, through appropriate communications channels, of threats to New Zealanders or New Zealand interests, unfolding events, and other specific requirements as directed; Operations Officers fully synthesize the information gathered to comprehend and where possible clarify the significance of the information to proactively anticipate what might happen next and uses these assumptions to make decisions; Operations Officers are recognised as trusted professionals who apply a structured methodology to deliver timely and relevant over-watch information

4 Customer Enablement The accurate selection and delivery of intelligence reports which meet customers' specific needs: Maintain a thorough knowledge of key customer contacts and sustain positive working relationships; Scan all reports and accurately selecting only that material which meets customer intelligence needs; Build and maintaining relationships with individual customers in order to gain their confidence and trust; within GCSB and across the wider NZ Government; Operations Officer maintain multiple 24/7 communications channels with partner agencies; Operations Officer accurately recognise events in over-watch areas that may or have the potential to impact deployed personnel, and alert customers; Display a high level of resilience, operate independently and make reliable decision in high tempo operational situations in high tempo operational situations; Use decision-making tools, concepts and experiences to make timely, effective judgements and decisions. Operations Officers are expected to build and develop wide networks of influence and use them to ensure the smooth working of NZSOC. As a sole charge position there is limited opportunity (especially after hours) to obtain guidance. Therefore, the Operations Officer displays a broad range of knowledge and skills to be able to provide competent customer support and service; Operations Officers consistently and accurately identifies all reporting that most meets any individual customer needs. Operations Officers obtain and maintain a thorough, well defined and up-to-date understanding of customer intelligence requirements; Operations Officers maintain and build effective relationships with minimal guidance; understand and can carefully manage complex sensitive issues and relationships; Intelligence products are disseminated to customers within timeframes that permit customers to maximise use of the intelligence to the best possible potential;

5 Health and safety (for self) A safe and healthy workplace for all Work safely and take responsibility for people using our sites as a place of work. keeping self and colleagues free from harm. All requirements of the Health and Safety Report all incidents and hazards promptly. policy and procedures are met. Maintain a current First Aid Certificate. Know what to do in the event of an Cooperate in implementing return to work plans. emergency. Be a visible role model at all times. Follow GCSB s safety rules and procedures. Maintain awareness of the impact of shift work upon own health and wellbeing. Other Duties Any other duties that fall within the scope of the position. Position delegation Financial delegation: None Key stakeholders Internal: GCSB Leadership/Managers/Staff External: Relevant NZ Government agencies Partner agencies Person Specification Personal Attributes: Maturity, reliability, common sense, resilience and flexibility; Punctuality; Ability to make timely, effective judgements and decisions; Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to foster good stakeholder relationships, and sharing collaboratively with team members; Capacity to prioritise and manage time to ensure tasks are completed effectively and on time; A positive attitude with demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity; Self-motivated, innovative and possessing enthusiasm and drive; The ability to cope with a dynamic and demanding work environment; Prepared and able to work on both a 24/7 shift cycle and during normal working hours, and provide cover for other team members during planned and unplanned absences; Ability to work long periods in a sole charge role without direct supervision.

6 Experience: Significant (at least 5 years) experience in working environments ideally with customer facing responsibilities; Experience working in a shift-working environment would be an advantage; Proven dependability in a sole charge operational environment or experience working within operations centres; Demonstrated versatility, initiative, ability to prioritise and dependability in an operational environment; Intelligence sector experience is desirable. Knowledge and Skills: Highly developed oral and written communication skills, and the ability to provide succinct and accurate operational briefings to a range of audiences; An appreciation of current international security, political and economic affairs and a broad understanding of New Zealand s role, perspectives and interests; A sound appreciation of the focus of government departments with significant international responsibilities; Excellent communications and relationship management skills to interface daily with a diverse range of contacts; Knowledgeable in information security measures, policies and protocols; The ability to deal competently and credibly with official at all levels; Excellent computer skills covering MS Office and internet searches; Demonstrated ability to understand and use new software tools and systems; An understanding of the NZ national security system structure and processes is desirable. Qualifications and Courses: A tertiary qualification with an International Relations, Political Science or similar focus, relevant diploma or equivalent level of experience (minimum of 5 years' experience). First Aid Certificate qualified Specific Job Requirements: Demonstrated high levels of integrity and an ability to obtain and maintain a TSS security clearance. NZIC Competencies In addition to the Person Specification above, competency standards which outline the development requirements of the position are set out under the NZ Intelligence Community (NZIC) Career Pathways framework. The Career Pathways framework enables progression within the job. Full descriptions of progression competencies and an overview of the NZIC Career Pathways framework is available on appointment. The position is aligned to the Service Delivery and Engagement competency framework.

7 Changes to Position Description Positions in the GCSB may change over time as the organisation develops. Therefore we are committed to maintaining a flexible organisation structure that best enables us to meet changing market and customer needs. Responsibilities for this position may change over time as the job evolves. This Position Description may be reviewed as part of planning for the annual performance cycle. Date PD reviewed: 5/03/2019 Signatures Manager s Name Signature Date: Employee s Name Signature Date: