Training, Compliance & Governance Specialist Port Security Contract – UK & Northern Ireland
About the Role
At Bidvest Noonan we have an exciting opportunity for a Training, Compliance & Governance Specialist to join our maritime business across UK and Northern Ireland. The successful candidate will provide expert leadership, assurance, and oversight across a UK wide Maritime Security Contract. The postholder will ensure that all security personnel, processes, and systems operate in full compliance with the ISPS Code, Department for Transport (DfT) Maritime Security Regulations, Port Facility Security Plans (PFSPs), and the clients’ internal governance requirements. This role is critical in building operational resilience, strengthening regulatory compliance, embedding a culture of continuous improvement, and ensuring that all security staff are trained, competent, and deployment-ready.
Responsibilities
- Training & Competency Development
- Lead the design, delivery, and evaluation of all training programmes for port security personnel, including induction, refresher, and role-specific modules.
- Ensure all training aligns with ISPS Code requirements, PFSPs, DfT guidance, and The clients operational standards.
- Maintain a comprehensive Training Matrix for all UK & NI port locations.
- Conduct competency assessments, on-the-job evaluations, and skills audits to ensure staff readiness.
- Develop scenario-based training, including emergency response, threat escalation, access control, and screening procedures.
- Support the development of future supervisors and managers through structured coaching and leadership development pathways.
- Compliance, Audit & Governance
- Lead the compliance framework for the contract, ensuring full alignment with:
- ISPS Code
- DFT Maritime Security Regulations
- Port Facility Security Plans
- Port governance requirements
- Conduct scheduled and unannounced audits across all port locations, producing detailed reports and corrective action plans.
- Monitor adherence to SOPs, assignment instructions, access control protocols, and incident reporting standards.
- Ensure all documentation, logs, and records meet regulatory and audit requirements.
- Support the clients Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) during external inspections and regulatory audits.
- Track compliance trends, identify emerging risks, and lead improvement initiatives.
- Provide governance oversight for all security incidents, ensuring accurate reporting, escalation, investigation, and closure.
- Conduct root-cause analysis and produce learning reviews following significant incidents or near misses.
- Ensure risk assessments are current, robust, and reflective of operational realities across all port environments.
- Support emergency preparedness planning, including drills, exercises, and multi-agency coordination.
- Act as a key liaison with PFSOs, DFT inspectors, port authorities, and the clients security leadership.
- Operational Support & Continuous Improvement
- Work closely with Contract Managers, Supervisors, and the clients stakeholders to ensure operational consistency across all ports.
- Identify opportunities to enhance service quality, efficiency, and compliance through improved processes, technology, and training.
- Support mobilisation activities, including onboarding, vetting, training, and documentation readiness.
- Lead governance meetings, presenting compliance data, training performance, and risk insights.
- Drive a culture of professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement across the security workforce.
- Documentation, Reporting & Governance Assurance
- Maintain all training records, audit reports, incident logs, and compliance documentation to an inspection-ready standard.
- Produce monthly governance reports for the clients and Bidvest Noonan senior leadership.
- Ensure alignment between contract KPIs, SLAs, and compliance outputs.
- Provide expert advice on regulatory changes, best practice, and emerging security trends.
Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of ISPS Code, DfT Maritime Security Regulations, and port security operations.
- Experience delivering training in a regulated or security-critical environment.
- Proven track record in compliance, audit, and governance roles.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills across multi-site operations.
- Ability to analyse risk, interpret regulations, and implement improvement plans.
- High levels of professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail.
Reporting Structure
- Reports to: Strategic Account Manager
Works closely with:
- Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs)
- Clients Security & Compliance Teams
- Bidvest Noonan Operations & Governance Teams
- Supervisors and Security Officers across UK & NI ports
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