My Critical Analysis of Five Security Related Jobs - Essay Example

UNIT: ASS NUMBER NAME: STUDENT NUMBER: UNIVERSITY: Table of Contents Introduction Security domain is as broad as security when viewed as methodologies employed by the society to ensure well-being is as diverse in Australia and the whole world. Due to this, various areas within the scope of security calls for various skills, knowledge and individual attributes. Here, the question arises on which skills, attributes and knowledge should apply on which area in security? This report presents my critical analysis of five security related jobs that were provided. It incorporated the knowledge, skills, attributes and academic qualifications for the respective job positions and the manner in which these requisites relates to the security theory and academic attributes in general. The analysis will include micro and macro focus of respective job vacancies plus thematic similarities and differences for all the positions provided. These positions includes: Security Sector Reform Officer (U.N); Assistant Security Advisor (CSIRO); APS Level 6 Senior Transport Security Inspector- (Transport Security operations); Senior Consultant-Security (Jacobs Group Australia); and Precinct Security Manager- JLL DUMAS. Annotated Bibliographies 1. Assistant Security Advisor (CSIRO) This is a management position and therefore a higher level position in security domain. The main duties of the assistant Security adviser at CSIRO will entail: uncommon exposure to various government security wing; capitalize in protecting CSIRO ‘s intellectual property and interests plus advising the CSIRO staff on all issue to do with technical security (except ICT). Other responsibilities includes communications between the organization and external organization on security issues, carry out security briefings within the firm; offer professional counsel and analysis on security matters within the organization. The officer is also supposed to develop and run protective security training programs and, create awareness on matters concerning the organization; and finally to carry out investigations within the premises of the organization. The officer is also supposed to liaise with the Commonwealth DPP and Australian Federal Police as required by the organizations policy. 2. Security Sector Reform Officer (U.N) The position of Security Sector Reform officer in United Nations will be operating within the political or peace keeping missions of United Nations. The roles of this positions includes: aid in overall management and administration within the SSR mandates; assist in coming up with SSR capacity aid to the national SSR endeavors and carrying out of the daily chores within the missions objectives for example involving public/ communications affairs, civilians, political issues, military liaisons, mission and legal analysis within the United Nations’ mission among others. The officer is also supposed to offer technical and professional advices where necessary within the UN’s mission; offer technical aid to national SSR efforts which is tandem with the UN security policies; give advice in terms of UN security policy to its senior staff among other duties that may be delegated by the seniors within the UN-missions mandate. 3. Precinct Security Manager- JLL DUMAS In this post, one will be responsible for all the Security systems within the security department. He/ she will be needed to analyze and man security docket and other security related areas for instance anything to do with parking, safety, security and so on. The manager will be required to ensure that the area around Dumas house, the staff, the visitors and other stakeholders are safe and secure as long as they are within the Dumas operations. One will also be expected to offer training for the new personnel with the organization on matters to do with safety and security; the manager will also be required to update safety and security methods, create OHS and security awareness within the organization; he/she should also convene, attend and inform other on meetings, seminars and other related events between Dumas House and External agencies. The manager should also be at a position to establish awareness on Western Australian State Emergency Management Policy plus other roles that might be related to the post. 4. Senior Transport Security Inspector- (Transport Security operations) Basically, the STSI (Senior Transport Security inspector is supposed to work in conjunction and under the leadership of compliance manager. Here, one is charged with the responsibilities of: aiding the department handle the security endeavors of industrial participants of flight cargo, aviation and maritime industry. Other main duties of the officer are examining the plans on transport security; conducting compliance measures for instance tests, audits, inspections in aircrafts, seaports and other freight areas; analyze the plans on transport security alongside other regulatory checks as per the requirement of the IPs. He is also supposed to oversee compliance in accordance with the legislative requirements. Finally, the security inspector is supposed to supposed to establish and propagate productive liaison with other participants in the Industry within the scope of the practice. 5. Senior Consultant-Security (Jacobs Group Australia) The key objective of this post is to provide consultancy in the field of professional security in the market sector that is within the market scope of the organization. It is also supposed to be the liaison point of the organization and the prospective and existing customers on matters to do with the contact essentials plus market knowhow. One in this office should also record in a accurate manner and come out with a way in which they will offer fees suggestion the customers, establish and oversee communications and also make sure that the cost in the projects are in tandem with the limits in the project fee. It is worth noting that the prospective candidates for this post should be good in team work, posses the required experience and knowhow in project management within the Australian Security sector. The candidate is also required to posses great knowhow in the Australian security policies and procedures which on the other hand should manifest skills in security design, risk, planning and strategy. Method Thematic analysis method of qualitative analysis of data was employed to find the specific knowledge, skills and attributes that are required for different job openings within security domain. Following our research question therefore, skills, knowledge, academic qualifications and other attributes form our themes at hand (Savin-Baden & Major, 2013). By analyzing these themes from the job post provided, the process of coding in six steps to come up with vital patterns was carried out. These phases are namely: data familiarization; generation of initial codes; theme searching from the initial codes; reviewing of the themes; naming and defining of the themes and lastly coming up with the final findings of the report (Kuckartz et al., 2002). Findings Basically, the role description of any job positions explains the general terms of that particular ob and its scope. It further lays down to whom the person occupying that position is supposed to report to and also the accountabilities that concerns to that particular job. Further, the role description offers standards through which an employee can be evaluated for quality work, improvement, retrogress and so on (Shippmann, et al., 2000). On other hand, any job description specifies particular traits for a suitable candidate, may it be a security manager, consultant and so on. Each of these jobs requires certain traits, trainings, skills and experience that will enable the suitable candidate to carry out his/her duties effectively. This is what makes up the very selection criteria for that job and it is what is referred to as attributes description (Shippmann, et al., 2000). It is worth noting that all these themes make up a competency for a certain post or security job. Competency in this respect can be defined as a conjugate discipline that is made up of skills, knowledge and abilities that will impact on the major aspect of one’s job (responsibility or role) and correlates with performance and one’s workmanship on the job (Gilbert, 1978). For Assistant Security Advisor position, the themes that present role description in the position are: analytical and critical thinking, professionalism, ability to learn, creativity, good communication skills and great experience and knowledge in security matters. The position of Security Sector reform officer (United Nations); professionalism, good communication skills, mastery of United Nations languages, creative and analytic mind, good interpersonal relationships, accountability and compliance, ability to learn and adopt to new environment and sharing of information. The themes representing role description in the position of Precinct Security Manager (JLL DUMAS) are professionalism, accountability, good communication skills, good interpersonal relationship, pro-active, ability to learn and adopt, compliance, intrinsic motivation, creativity and innovativeness. In the position of the senior consultant- Security (Jacobs Group Australia) the role descriptive themes are: professionalism, good communication and bargaining skills, good interpersonal relationship, analytical and creative thinking. On the position of Transport Security Inspectors, the role descriptive themes are: team player, accountability, professionalism, creative and critical thinking and good interpersonal relationships. It is worth noting that professionalism (or rather the mastery of the subject matter in security); communication, good interpersonal skills and creative and critical thinking are core and common themes here. This is due to the fact that security personnel must be versed with actual security issues in their respective area of work. Communication is also key component of security from assessing the risks, training other staff, gathering information and so on (Collin, 1989). Themes like bargaining skills for instances are required in case the security officer will be expected to undertake business transactions for instance in senior consultant position in Jacob Group Australia. Mastery of United Nations languages and liaising with military, civilian and so on are special themes in the position under United Nations depending on the nature and environment of the job (LangWhite, 1959). On the side of attribute description, a number of themes were also identified. Some of these themes applied to some particular posts while others cut across all the job post. As described earlier, these themes refers to certain traits that are required in suitable candidates to enable them work effectively in particular posts. For the position of Assistant security advisor (CSIRO) these themes included: security clearance, experience in security advisory sector, knowledge in subject matter, communication and liaisons skills, communication skills and ability to act in a team. For the position of Security Sector Reform Officer (U.N), the attribute descriptive themes includes: professionalism; communication; planning and organization; prior working experience for seven years in a similar position; and languages (English and French). Precinct Security Manager (JLL DUMAS): the attribute descriptive themes here are: experience in corporate governance; risk management; compliance; business continuity; security management (professionalism) and risk analytics; education (Bachelors degree) and 7 years experience. In the position of the senior consultant- Security (Jacobs Group Australia), 10 year experience in technical and project management, professionalism within Australian security sector plus skills in security planning, risk, design and planning, team player, adaptability, communication skills and good interpersonal relations and a Bachelor of Engineering (Communication, Electronic and or Electrical). The requirement of engineering course in this position for instance shows that the security job will entail securing Engineering systems within DUMAS house. For the position of Transport Security inspector, the following attribute descriptive themes were indentified: good interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills; results-oriented; integrity and intrinsic drive; strategic thinking and professionalism. The themes that are common in all the positions here are Bachelor degree (education level); some years of experience in a related position, good communication and interpersonal relations, adaptability and ability to learn easily. It is worth noting that depending on the nature of the job and the seniority of the position and organization involved, some of these themes are only applicable to some job positions and not the other. These are: security clearance for the position of Assistant Security Advisor (CSIRO); Business continuity and corporate governance (for precinct security manager); A degree in public security, political science, business, administration or international relations & 2nd language of UN apart from English in the position of Security Sector Reform Officer (UN); good bargaining powers and experience in consultancy for (senior consultant) and finally experience in regulatory environment of maritime or aviation industry for the post of STSI. These competencies that are particular in certain job positions are specifically met to check the competence of the suitable candidate to that very position and address an issue in that job position as opposed to others. A degree in political science, administration, political science in United Nations posts reflects the complexity involving United Nations missions in international missions. Discussion It is a fact that security arena is a wide area and therefore hiring personnel in security organizations may differ from one organization to the next depending on the seniority of the position, what the organization deals with and the scope of security work within that organization. It is in this respect that some organizations and positions will call for 10 years working experience for instance that in senior consultancy while other will call for 7 years experience or less. It is also on this basis that some organizations will require different academic qualifications for instance, that of security sector reform officer (UN) requires a Bachelors degree in political science, business, public administration and other related fields owing the nature of United Nations mission while that of precinct security manager requires a person with a Bachelors degree in security field. A position of Senior Security consultant (Jacobs group) requires a bachelors degree in Engineering owing to the consultancy business the organization is based on. Differences in the competencies and the broad spectrum of security foundations notwithstanding, it is worth noting that all these security posts shares a number of common requirements. These requirements therefore are presumably the fundamental requirements in all security jobs in security industry (Collin, 1989). They include: good communication skills, integrity, ability to learn new things, ability to think critically and logically, risk management, professionalism when it comes to ones specialization, accountability, compliance to the policies, rules and regulations and many others (Raven & Stephenson, 2001). These are what make up technical competencies that are preferred by the employers in this role entails risk identification and awareness, sending of warnings and communications to the respective centres and so on; Compliance with legislation also falls in this category. Others includes: continuity of the business, physical security, investigations, crisis management, cultural awareness, loss prevention among others which makes up the role and attributes description themes as far as this report is concerned (Raven & Stephenson, 2001). Conclusion In terms of my analysis, I found that content and thematic analysis is the best qualitative method to analyse the job posts and determine the competencies and security foundations needed by the employers in security related occupations. From my analysis, I found out that competencies that employers seek most (as per the job posts provided) can be categorized into two i.e., attributive describing themes (soft skills) and role descriptive (professional; academic and directly related to job). Depending on the type of security to be offered and the organization’s nature of operation and size, a combination of all these competencies makes a perfect candidate for any security job whether on a national, regional international skill. References Collin, A. (1989). Managers’ Competence: Rhetoric, Reality and Research. Personnel Review Gilbert, F. (1978). Human Competence. Engineering Worthy Performance. New York: McGraw-Hill. Kuckartz, U., Metzler, K., & Kenney, F. (2002). Qualitative text analysis: A guide to methods, practice & using software. London, UK: SAGE Publications. retrieved on 5th may 2015 from: http://srmo.sagepub.com.ezproxy.ecu.edu.au/view/qualitative-text-analysis/SAGE.xml LangWhite, W. (1959). Motivation reconsidered: The concept of competence. Psychological Review. O'Leary, Z. (2010). The essential guide to doing your research project. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications. 2013 O*NET Summary Reports for category: Security Management Specialists 13‐1199.02, http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13‐1199.02; Raven, J., & Stephenson, J. (Eds.). (2001). Competency in the Learning Society. New York: Savin-Baden, M., & Major, C. H. (2013). Qualitative research: the essential guide to theory and practice. Abingdon: Routledge. Shippmann, et al., (2000). The practice of competency modeling: Personnel Psychology https://www.careeronestop.org/COMPETENCYMODEL retrieved on 15th May 2015 Read More