Job summary
Military Capability sits at the heart of the MOD�s major decisions. It headed by the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Military Capability) (DCDS(MilCap)), a 3-star military officer (equivalent to a Director General).� DCDS(MilCap) is responsible for taking a pan-Departmental view of MOD�s strategic balance of investment decisions and the Department�s financial planning rounds.� DCDS(MilCap) is also responsible for Innovation, Infrastructure, Increasing Defence Outputs, Future Combat Air Systems, Strategic Programmes, National Shipbuilding Office and Capability & Force Design a total of seven directorates.�
The Private Secretary to DCDS(MilCap) sits within an outer office of five people dedicated to supporting DCDS(MilCap).� Working in a truly joint military and civilian environment you will play a major role enabling high-level decision-making across a diverse portfolio of responsibilities.� This will include taking the lead on a variety of complex Defence issues, such as acquisition, sustainability, Defence major portfolio programme reviews, international engagement and shipbuilding.�
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
Military Capability sits at the heart of the MOD�s major decisions. It headed by the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Military Capability) (DCDS(MilCap)), a 3-star military officer (equivalent to a Director General).� DCDS(MilCap) is responsible for taking a pan-Departmental view of MOD�s strategic balance of investment decisions and the Department�s financial planning rounds.� DCDS(MilCap) is also responsible for Innovation, Infrastructure, Increasing Defence Outputs, Future Combat Air, Strategic Programmes, National Shipbuilding Office and Capability & Force Design a total of seven directorates.�
The Private Secretary to DCDS(MilCap) sits within an outer office of five people dedicated to supporting DCDS(MilCap).� Working in a truly joint military and civilian environment you will play a major role enabling high-level decision-making across a diverse portfolio of responsibilities.� This will include taking the lead on a variety of complex Defence issues, such as acquisition, sustainability, Defence major portfolio programme reviews, international engagement and shipbuilding.�
Providing an exciting opportunity to experience exposure at the very highest levels of Defence this post will require a broad range of personal engagement with the Department�s most senior stakeholders, including Secretary of State for Defence, Minister for Defence Procurement, VCDS and Service Chiefs, and senior defence industry executives.� You will also gain a unique insight into cross-Government working, including No10 and the Cabinet Office.� The postholder will also have opportunities for regular travel with DCDS(MilCap) within the UK and abroad.�
Person specification
1. Management of DCDS(MilCap)�s outer office, including coordinating, allocating and prioritising the information.�
2. Providing timely advice to DCDS(MilCap) in order to inform decisions supporting key Departmental activity.�
3. Tasking, staff checking, and distribution of submissions to Ministers and senior MOD officials.�
4. Ensuring DCDS(MilCap)�s time is managed effectively. This also includes commissioning and coordinating suitable briefs, the provision of papers, reviewing and commenting on drafts and ensuring a consistently high standard of advice and support.�
5. Liaising effectively and working in partnership with the Outer Office team, as well as building and maintaining effective working relationships with other Private Offices, including the Perm Sec and Ministerial Private Offices, and other key stakeholders within Head Office and the wider Commands.
6. Providing support across the outer office, including oversight of diary management, inbox management and preparation of meeting packs.�
7. Line management of the E1 Personal Assistant (PA). Oversight of managing DCDS(MilCap)�s time, including both the short- and longer-term diaries, ensuring support arrangements are in place (eg. transport, accommodation, meeting rooms booked).�
8. Experienced SEO with, ideally with experience of working in fast past environments.
9. Manage a broad range of varied tasks concurrently, prioritising as appropriate to ensure MilCap delivers on departmental priorities.
10. Strong Interpersonal Skills and the ability to effectively challenge as required, particularly to a senior audience.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
11. Communicating and Influencing
12. Delivering at Pace
13. Working Together
14. Making Effective Decisions
15. Leadership
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
16. Communicating and Influencing
17. Delivering at Pace
18. Working Together
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes �11,631 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
19. Learning and development tailored to your role
20. An environment with flexible working options
21. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
22. A with an average employer contribution of 27%
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at .
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
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Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.�