View Vacancy – Security Shift Supervisor – Grade – S1, Colombo

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.

Job Category

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)

Job Subcategory

Security

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment, educational details, behavioural and technical/ professional skills questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only with all the required details and the shortlisting is not basis CV/ cover letter. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Main purpose of job:

The Security Shift Supervisor will work on a roster leading a team of Security Assistants to provide a professional, reliable and high-quality security service at the British High Commission Colombo. The role reports directly to the Post Security Manager and serves as a key member of the High Commission Guard Force, ensuring effective supervision of daily security operations, access control, patrols, incident response, staff discipline, handovers, training compliance and support during emergencies or crisis situations.

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

The Security Shift Supervisor is responsible for leading the Security Assistants on rostered shifts and ensuring that all security duties are carried out in line with British High Commission rules, Post Security Regulations and security standing orders. The jobholder will support the Post Security Manager in maintaining a disciplined, alert and professional guard force, while ensuring continuity of security operations across the High Commission, Westminster House, Trenchard House, Defence Advisers’ properties and other relevant BHC locations.

The jobholder will be expected to achieve the following:

• Supervise Security Assistants during day and night shifts, ensuring discipline, punctuality, alertness, correct handovers and professional conduct are maintained at all times.
• Brief the security team at the start of each shift on the current security situation, key tasks, special instructions, visitor movements, events and any operational risks.
• Ensure access control is properly maintained at all BHC entry points and relevant compounds, including staff, visitors, contractors, vehicles, mail, packages and deliveries.
• Oversee security patrols, guardroom records, occurrence books, patrol clocking, touch-point checks and routine fire watch duties, ensuring records are accurate and completed on time.
• Monitor CCTV coverage, security lighting, alarms, radios, keys and other security equipment, reporting faults or weaknesses promptly to the Post Security Manager.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to incidents, bomb alarms, fire alarms, suspicious items, security breaches, medical emergencies and other crisis situations, escalating to the PSM, PSO or RSA as required.
• Prepare and maintain monthly duty rosters, overtime records, leave coordination, sickness and absence records, and additional security cover for official events or operational requirements.
• Support training and development of Security Assistants by ensuring monthly security training is completed, emergency procedures are understood, and individual training gaps are highlighted to the PSM.
• Line manages assigned Security Assistants by setting objectives, monitoring performance, encouraging high standards, supporting development and completing mid-year and end-year feedback on time.
• Coordinate with visitors, staff, contractors, local police, diplomatic security contacts and other stakeholders in a calm, courteous and professional manner.
• Ensure all mail received at the High Commission is screened using the mail scanner, except Diplomatic Bags, and that suspicious items are handled in line with approved procedures.
• Maintain smart appearance and uniform standards across the shift, including correct use of BHC identity passes and security equipment.
• Provide support to the PSO, RSA and PSM during crisis preparedness, emergency response, official events, access control changes, security drills and business continuity activity.
• Drive official vehicles when required for authorised security-related duties, including operational support, security changeovers and emergency response, subject to valid licence and approval.
• Provide temporary cover for the Post Security Manager when directed and when the situation requires, ensuring security operations continue smoothly and issues are escalated appropriately

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

Candidate would be required to complete online and Offline training.

Additional information – Specific local Post requirements.

• The role requires working on a 12-hour roster covering day and night shifts, up to 48 hours per week, including weekends and public holidays according to operational requirements.
• The successful candidate must be able to work across the British High Commission Colombo, Westminster House, Trenchard House, Defence Advisers’ properties and other relevant BHC compounds as required.
• A valid National Identity Card or passport must be held, and the candidate should be able to confirm residency details and provide a police clearance certificate if required.
• The role may involve out-of-hours duties, emergency call-outs, support to official events and additional resilience during security incidents, crisis situations or business continuity requirements.
• Preferably, the candidate should be based in or around Colombo to support reliable attendance for early starts, late finishes, night shifts and emergency response requirements.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Essential on arrival:

• At least three years’ experience working in the security field, preferably within a diplomatic mission, international organisation, corporate security environment or similar high-security setting.
• Previous experience supervising or managing a team, including shift coordination, task allocation, performance monitoring and maintaining discipline.
• Good knowledge of access control, visitor management, patrol procedures, incident reporting, emergency response and basic security equipment such as CCTV, radios and alarms.
• Strong spoken and written communication skills in English and Sinhala or Tamil, with the confidence to brief staff, record incidents and liaise professionally with visitors, contractors and local authorities.
• Ability to remain calm, courteous and decisive under pressure, especially during incidents, emergencies, alarms, out-of-hours activity or periods of high operational demand.
• Proactive, reliable and disciplined approach, with the ability to work independently, support colleagues and maintain high professional standards across the shift.

Language requirements:

Language: English and Sinhala or Tamil (Spoken and Written).

Level of Language Required:

• English – IELTS 6/ upper intermediate or equivalent is required (Candidates will be required to undergo an assessment to evaluate their English language proficiency.)
• Sinhala and/or Tamil – Intermediate

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable:

• Previous exposure to shift supervision, roster preparation, overtime records, leave coordination or daily guard-force administration.
• Experience supporting emergency procedures, crisis response, fire safety, first aid, evacuation drills or incident management.
• Working knowledge of Post Security Regulations, security standing orders, access control procedures, CCTV monitoring and radio communication protocols.
• Experience coaching, mentoring or developing junior staff, including identifying training gaps and encouraging good performance.
• Strong observation, judgement and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to escalate concerns appropriately and make sound decisions during routine and unexpected situations.
• Fire safety, first aid, security management or supervisory training/qualification would be an added advantage.
• Valid driving licence with good driving skills and a safe driving record, with willingness to drive official vehicles for authorised security-related duties when required.

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service

Application deadline

3 August 2026

Grade

S1

Type of Position

Full-time, Fixed Term

Working hours per week

48

Duration of Post

24 months

Region

South Asia & Afghanistan

Country/Territory

Sri Lanka

Location (City)

Colombo

Type of Post

British High Commission

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

LKR

Salary

LKR 170,933 per month + EPF 12% per month + ETF 3% per month

Type of Salary

monthly

Start Date

1 October 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Country Based Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.

For other than BHC candidates, starting salary will be LKR 170,933 + EPF 12% + ETF 3% per month. Other benefits include 13 month’s salary (pro-rated) and medical insurance coverage.

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks.

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. The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system. The High Commission takes pride in its organisational culture and its strong and diverse team. We offer leave entitlements as per Sri Lankan labour laws.

We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.

Additional information

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment, educational details, behavioural and technical/ professional skills questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only with all the required details and the shortlisting is not basis CV/ cover letter. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage

To Apply:

Please note applications without (1), (2) and (3) will not be considered.

1. Complete the Online Application Form.
2. Complete the Experience, Professional Skills and Behaviour based Segments in the Online Application Form.
3. Evidence of your nationality and permission to work in Sri Lanka must be included with your application form, for example, photocopies of the details page of your passport and/or visa.

Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification

To ensure a successful application it is important that you explain how you demonstrate behaviours and technical / professional skills, basis your experience. You are strongly advised to read the Success Profiles Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which provides a detailed guidance on how these behaviours are defined for each position.

Applicants are encouraged to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to prepare specific examples of when and how you have demonstrated these behaviours in your application, by evidencing a structured response, including your skills and experiences. You briefly describe the situation in which you demonstrated the behaviour, and then explain your task in addressing the situation, what action you took and the result of this.

Internal candidates applying for this position must have prior approval from their line manager, else the application will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications received by ­­midnight on 03 August 2026 (23:55hrs Sri Lanka Standard Time).

Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines of the British High Commission. Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and no telephone enquires will be dealt with. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, caste, or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.

Note: The British High Commission in Colombo is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by The British High Commission in Colombo is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.

” The start date mentioned in the job advert is tentative and the appointment will be subject to successful clearances including police verification, references, medical, educational, and professional checks. “

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.