The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
The British Embassy in Berne is part of a world-wide network representing British political, economic and consular interests. We are currently recruiting for a Security Manager.
The Post Security Manager is a key member of the Embassy’s Corporate Team and serves as the primary security lead for the medium-sized, cross-departmental embassy in Berne. The role’s main purpose is to ensure a safe and secure environment for embassy staff and visitors by setting and maintaining high standards in physical, technical, and personnel security. This will be achieved through strong collaboration with external Swiss services and U.K. corporate partners.
Reporting to the Head of Corporate Services, the manager leads the Security Team, supports policy implementation, and serves as the main security contact.
Additional responsibilities include:
- Transport Manager: overseeing drivers, fleet, transport policy, and contracts.
- Fire Safety Manager: lead fire and safety assessments and policies.
- Crisis Committee member: monitor risks and support crisis preparedness.
Candidates must show leadership, teamwork, and stakeholder management skills.
The role entails
Security Leadership and Management (45%)
- Serve as the embassy’s lead security adviser, providing expert guidance to staff, stakeholders and senior leadership on all security matters.
- Monitor and assess local and regional threats, and security breaches, coordinating with the Regional Security Adviser (RSA), Post Security Officer (PSO), and local authorities to implement appropriate risk mitigation strategies and post States of Vigilance (SOV).
- Responsible for liaising with local and regional police and offering security advice for the Ambassador and all HMG staff travel in-country, including security briefings.
- Manage all aspects of physical, technical, and personnel security, including access control systems, CCTV, security equipment, mail, building security and vetting processes and conducting periodic checks and patrols.
- Lead on the implementation of security policies, procedures, and drills, ensuring compliance with FCDO standards and local regulations.
- Oversee the embassy’s security posture, including the development and review of Post Security Regulations and incident response protocols
- Responsible for all aspects of residential security.
- Act as the primary liaison for VVIP security arrangements, visiting dignitaries, Kings Messengers, including coordination with local law enforcement and diplomatic missions.
- Responsible for all security aspects and plans for embassy and residence events, including conducting risk assessments, planning and executing effective security strategy for embassy events and visits that ensure commensurate levels of security, balanced against threat and business need.
- Support the PSO by managing administration for quarterly Post Security Committees.
Guard Force and Contract Management (20%)
- Manage the embassy’s security guarding service, ensuring performance standards are met and that guards are trained, equipped, and supported, ensuring robust standing orders are up to date so that security procedures are adhered to and operational effectiveness is always maintained.
- Supervise the guard force ensuring effective delivery of manned guarding services including access control, patrolling, surveillance, and incident response and customer service. Act as part of the security guard where needed.
- Maintain oversight of security contracts KPIs, budget, and contractor compliance with contract requirements, as well as maintaining appropriate standards of welfare and duty of care obligations.
- Lead on Liaison and manage communication with the guard supervisor and contract manager.
- Ensure continuity of operational security services by assuming the full responsibilities of the Duty Security Officer and/or Driver role(s) during leave periods and other absences.
Transport, Logistics and Fleet Management (15%)
- Act as the embassy’s Transport Manager, managing transport provision and overseeing a fleet of official vehicles and managing the Driver.
- Develop and manage driver schedules and transport provision, ensure vehicle documentation and maintenance, and manage corporate taxi accounts.
- Lead on the embassy’s Transport Policy, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant transport operations, and managing contracts of embassy’s corporate accounts.
- Act as an Embassy driver where needed.
- Act as logistics lead for incoming/outgoing diplomatic shipments.
Health and Safety (H&S) Oversight (15%)
- Lead on fire safety, be involved in health and safety at the embassy and the residence, including policy development, and compliance with FCDO and local standards.
- Coordinate with compliance Teams to implement preventative fire and security maintenance plans and remedial works.
- Lead on ensuring embassy H&S capability including organising and leading safety drills, training, and an annual Security, Health & Safety Week to promote awareness and preparedness. Support the Health & Safety Committee and ensure accurate record-keeping and policy updates.
- Review, update and implement effective policies in close co-operation with regional advisors and the H&S Committee, proactively manage Estates H&S policies, keeping files and records, and provide advice and instruction to staff and contractors at the contractual stage of projects and while works are taking place.
Crisis Preparedness and Response (5%)
- Take an active role on crisis coordination work for the embassy, working closely with the Crisis Manager on development of crisis plans, preparedness and participation in quarterly Crisis Committees.
- Participate in emergency response and crisis drills, crisis training sessions (to be delivered by others), help maintain crisis equipment, and support crisis awareness amongst colleagues.
These responsibilities will be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the embassy. The above is an indicative outline of roles and responsibilities required of the role. The FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. For example, this could include the management of high-level official visits from the UK and/or supporting embassy events.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
- Full professional proficiency in English (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework* or equivalent).
- Full professional proficiency in German (written and spoken, minimum of B2 level for CEFR framework* or equivalent).
- Security Related Qualifications including UK BTEC Level 3 in Security Management or Security Operations or higher. Swiss equivalents include Federal VET Certificate or professional certifications from institutions like SVS (Schweizerischer Verband für Sicherheit) or country-specific equivalent.
- 2 Years experience in a security-related field.
- Flexible approach and with changeable hours as the role demands.
- Full drivers license.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
- Knowledge of Host Nation security force structure and organisation, not necessarily from a background of military or police service.
- Advanced Driving Qualifications e.g. driving in a motorcade, defensive driving
- Experience of health and safety management, particularly fire safety.
- Experience of crisis management and risk assessment
- Ability to flex style and adapt to last minute changes of direction.
- Resilience and ability to cope with a high-pressure environment.
- Team leadership experience.
Required behaviours
Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
Application deadline: 19 October 2025
Grade: Administrative Officer (AO)
Type of Position: Permanent, Part-Time
Working hours per week; 32
Monthly Salary; 6,166 CHF
Start Date; 1 December 2025
Other benefits and conditions of employment
This is a part-time and permanent contract of 32 hours per week inclusive of four compulsory 45-minute lunch breaks. There is a 3-month probationary period, during which either party may bring the agreement to an end, in writing with 7 days’ notice.
Embassy opening hours are 0730 – 1830 hrs (Monday – Thursday) and 0730 – 1330 hrs (Friday).
Time off in Lieu is available in exceptional circumstances where staff are required to work beyond their contracted hours and where agreed in advance with line manager.
The role will periodically require shift work between 07:00 and 18:30, as well as out of hours working, in response to operational need and cover requirements.
The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per year pro-rated, increasing to 30 days over 5 years, and the Embassy also enjoys 13 Swiss/ UK public holidays pro-rated per year.
You will receive a 200 CHF per month Shift Disturbance Allowance and a contribution to health insurance of CHF 336 per month.
The successful candidate will be subject to professional background and security clearances before a contract is offered.
FCDO is committed to continual learning and development. The Embassy will provide funding in line with L&D requirements and a variety of learning and development is provided throughout the year both directly at post and virtually through the FCDO International Academy. There will be opportunities to attend training, lectures etc. on the job.
Visa/work permit requirements: The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorisation for Switzerland in order to apply. All applicants should have the right to live and work in Switzerland.
Equal employment
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics. FCDO want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.
Additional information
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
The British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.
*Please note for more information regarding the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed