AFRS Vetting Specialist

Hybrid – Solihull, B91 3QJ (Office based initially)

Salary: £27-29k DOE

Full Time, Permanent Band 6

Here at Serco, we’re looking for an AFRS Vetting Specialist to join our team supporting the recruitment of candidates into the UK Armed Forces. This is a technical and coordination role where you’ll act as the first point of escalation for complex, sensitive or non-standard vetting cases, while maintaining expert knowledge of AFRS vetting requirements across the team. You’ll carry out quality assurance, coach and train Vetting Administrators, and deputise for the Team Manager during periods of absence.

Working as part of the AFRS Vetting Team, you’ll play a key role in raising standards and capability across the team, while handling sensitive personal and security-related information with the highest levels of care and confidentiality. This role is dedicated to vetting activity and does not include onboarding responsibilities.

As part of this you’ll:

• Act as the first point of escalation for complex, sensitive or non-standard vetting cases, resolving issues within delegated authority and escalating matters that require management, policy or security direction.
• Maintain expert, train-others-level knowledge of AFRS vetting processes, including BPSS, UKSV, identity, Right to Work, criminality, employment-history and gap verification checks.
• Undertake second checks, quality-control reviews and case audits, providing timely, constructive feedback and identifying recurring errors, risks or control weaknesses.
• Design, deliver and maintain training, coaching plans and refresher sessions for Vetting Administrators, supporting induction, accreditation and competency assessment.
• Coordinate work queues, priorities and resource deployment day to day, monitoring workflow and raising capacity or performance risks to the Team Manager.
• Produce, validate and explain operational MI, supporting reporting against service levels and recruitment priorities.
• Deputise for the AFRS Vetting Team Manager during periods of absence, maintaining operational oversight and acting as the point of contact for routine team matters, within delegated authority.
• Support implementation of policy, system and process changes, and contribute to continuous-improvement activity that strengthens compliance and candidate experience.
• Handle escalated candidate or stakeholder enquiries, ensuring responses are timely, professional and appropriately documented.
• Maintain audit-ready records and escalate suspected policy breaches, security concerns or data incidents immediately through the appropriate route.

What you’ll need to do the role:

Essential:

• Substantial practical experience of vetting, pre-employment screening, security administration or a closely related regulated service, with advanced knowledge of the checks required.
• Detailed working knowledge of BPSS and UKSV processes, with a strong understanding of identity, criminality, employment-history and Right to Work verification requirements.
• Proven ability to interpret procedures, assess evidence, resolve complex cases and make sound recommendations within defined authority.
• Experience of quality checking, audit activity or assurance controls, with the ability to identify root causes and deliver corrective feedback.
• Effective coaching, training and facilitation skills, including the ability to explain complex requirements clearly and assess understanding.
• Strong reporting and analytical skills, with confident use of Microsoft Excel and the ability to produce and explain operational MI.
• Highly organised, with the ability to coordinate workflow, prioritise competing demands and remain composed when managing escalations or service pressures.
• Clear and credible communicator, able to build effective working relationships with candidates, colleagues, managers, partners and specialist stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, building positive working relationships and contributing to shared objectives.

Desirable:

• Experience of acting as a deputy, senior administrator, technical specialist or coordinator within an operational team.
• Experience of conducting one-to-one meetings, return-to-work discussions, team briefings or routine absence-management activity under delegated authority.
• Experience of Access Screening, PEGA, UKSV portals, Konfir or Rapid Employment Verification, shared mailboxes and operational reporting tools.
• Experience of process improvement, change implementation, complaint investigation or creation of controlled process documentation.

Why Serco:

Meaningful and vital work: In this position, your work will directly support the recruitment of people joining the UK Armed Forces. You’ll be part of a team delivering an essential service where accuracy, security and timely decision-making really matter.

You’ll gain a world of opportunity working for a globally operating business delivering essential services across five vital sectors. Personal growth, achievement and development won’t be hard to find. You’ll also work with great people in a supportive environment where no two days are the same.

What we offer:

• Flexible working considered
• Pension – 6%
• Chance to contribute to innovation in the public services
• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion
• Serco discounts which include cinema, merlin entertainment and online shopping discounts, and discounts on mobile phone plans and leisure centre memberships.
• A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, Simply Health Cash Plans, and more.
• A wealth of career development training to suit your future aspirations. These range from role specific training, leadership coaching, formal study and much more to support you to build your career with Serco.
• A safe and supportive culture.

Please note: This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.

A little bit about us: At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our inclusive recruitment commitment: We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.

Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).

For support with your application, please contact recruitmentuk@serco.com. Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.