Head of Fire Safety Assurance

House of Commons

The House of Commons is a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system. 

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Staff Benefits

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including: 

• 30 days’ annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year). 
• Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%. 
• Access to training and development. 
• Flexible working. 
• Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan. 

Introduction 

The Fire Risk Assurance Team is responsible for ensuring that the Parliamentary Estate complies with fire safety legislation and is responsible for ensuring its occupants are safe in the event of a fire. This includes involvement in fire safety design and prevention for all premises and occupants.

The role will sit within the Parliamentary Safety Team (PST) in the House of Commons Governance Office. The team is responsible for the provision of specialist advice, support and independent assurance that Parliament is managing safety sensibly, consistently, proportionately and effectively, and for the development and embedding of a positive safety culture across the wider Parliamentary community. 

The Role 

The role of the Head of Fire Safety Assurance is to be the senior Competent Person for the purposes of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  The post holder will be responsible to the Corporate Officers for giving assurance they are discharging their responsibilities in line with all applicable legislation.

The post holder will be required to lead and manage the Fire Risk Management Team ensuring the delivery of the Parliamentary Fire Risk Strategy to service level standards by working with the Fire Protection Team and the Fire Design Team.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• Working to ensure that there is a consistent and developed fire safety policy and culture across Parliament.
• The Head of Fire Safety Assurance is the Parliamentary Competent Person for fire safety. This includes being available in the role of senior Competent Person offering fire safety advice that allows both Accountable Officers to fulfil their legal responsibilities for fire safety and the impact on the business of the House. This includes taking a key role in the Parliamentary Incident Management Team during major incidents on the estate.
• Ensure systems and resources are in place and be responsible for auditing and monitoring life safety fire systems, provision of fire safety staff, training, inspections and fire risk assessments
• To provide professional fire advice and guidance to the Parliamentary Safety Assurance Board, Fire Safety Committee, Business Resilience Group, Commons Executive Board and throughout Parliament including Member and Parliamentary Committees. 

Skills and Experience 

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• Membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers or Institute of Fire Safety Managers. (At least at the level of Member grade)
• A qualification in fire prevention or fire safety, e.g., a combination of both the NEBOSH National Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management and NEBOSH General Certificate or an equivalent level 4 RQF accredited fire risk assessment course.
• Experience of strategic fire safety at a senior management level in the public fire service or multi complex organisation.
• A comprehensive and up to date knowledge, experience and understanding of fire legislation, building regulations, building fire precautions.
• Ability to lead a team, building and maintaining strong collaborative partnerships to achieve organisational goals, whilst upholding the values of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with key customers, stakeholders and colleagues at all levels. The ability to challenge appropriately and robustly to ensure adherence to procedures.

Next Steps and Additional Information

• CV & Supporting Statement – If you would like to apply for this role, please submit your CV and covering letter with a 500 word limit. 

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description. 

#LI-Hybrid