Length of employment: Job Summary: The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army employs around 12,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army. The Army Headquarters (HQ) Agile Workforce is an output-focused organisation which exists to support delivery of the Army Command Plan. The Chief of the General Staff Action Group (CAG) sits at the core of the Agile Workforce, using Agile methodology to provide project teams to support outputs within the Strategic Centre and more broadly across the Programmes, Futures, Personnel, Information and Basing & Infrastructure Directorates. As a member of the CAG you can expect to complete 5-10 separate projects per year supporting a variety of different directorates, whilst also providing the Army's Executive Committee (ExCo) with a contingent reserve to enable rapid re-prioritisation to deliver high-priority emergent demand. This post offers a chance to work at the heart of the Army Headquarters, to develop a deeper understanding of the Army, its outputs and to shape their delivery. You will be working alongside a diverse team of Civil Servants, military colleagues and contractors. Every new project brings outstanding possibilities and challenges, and we'll ensure you're equipped to succeed, with extensive training and development opportunities. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job Description: This is an exciting time to join the Army Headquarters (AHQ) Chief of the General Staff Action Group (CAG) as we seek to establish a strategically aligned, agile team, able to rapidly understand challenges and deliver at pace in support of the Army Command Plan. Working directly in support of the Army's Chief of Staff (ACGS) and the Executive Committee (ExCo), the CAG will be employed to deliver high priority projects and outputs, and to respond to emergent issues as required. Over the next 12 months the focus will be on designing and implementing the changes needed to the operating model of the Army, in response to the Defence Reform change programme, and the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review, to deliver a more agile AHQ which better delivers fighting power to the Army. This post is the Assistant Head (AH) responsible for the CAG. Responsibilities will include: Lead the CAG, coordinating task allocation and managing delivery of multiple outputs across the Army Operating Model Re-prioritise CAG activity to respond to emergent high-priority TLB issues / tasks as directed by ACGS Establish and develop productive relationships, rapidly bringing people together to deliver outputs and solve problems Proactively identify and manage risks and issues facing priority outputs across all CAG lines of effort Apply new ideas and ways of working, encouraging and supporting innovation from others and following ideas through to implementation Clearly communicate messages to colleagues and senior stakeholders, providing stakeholder management support to sub-teams as required Interpret and analyse data to inform decision making and delivery of prioritised outputs for the AHQ Identify and solve problems, adapting the best solutions and presenting findings convincingly Contribute to the development, review and amendment of doctrine, concepts and policy as required Provide support to business case generation and staffing for AHQ Bottom Level Budgets (BLB's) as required Line Manage and oversee the professional development of military and civilian staff Support delivery of other Agile WF measures as required The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance. Other benefits for Army civil servants include: 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years' service Highly competitive pension scheme Personal and professional development of skills Alternative working patterns for many roles Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle Enhanced parental and adoption leave 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities Learning and Development We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role. A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career. 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. 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. 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. MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey - We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate: Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan and prioritise your own workload and that of others. The ability to adapt your planning to rapid changes of situation Strong interpersonal skills with the ability work with people at all levels, to adapt your communication style according to the audience, build strong relationships with others, and deal appropriately with sensitive and/or high-level matters Strong problem-solving skills. Both over a prolonged period and at pace Strong verbal and written communication skills Ability to deal with complex and/or highly sensitive issues The ability to work autonomously and under their own initiative, without direction, when required Ability to take the initiative and prioritise effectively to resolve emerging and/or short notice work Candidates should already hold, or have a willingness to work towards the following qualifications: Master of Business Administration (MBA) APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) Agile Project Management Practitioner Management of Successful Programmes (MSP) Or equivalent qualifications Desirable: Alumnus of the Army Advanced Development Programme (AADP) Experience of delivering change projects and change methodology, or management consultancy within an agile framework Experience of working in a Project team, and have knowledge of project management practices, methodologies, tools, and techniques including planning, risk management, governance, frameworks, and stakeholder management Experience of the Ministry of Defence or Army Headquarters, or prior military service At application you will be asked to provide a CV and personal statement of no more than 750 words providing evidence your experience of the following essential criteria: Experience in dealing with complex and/or highly sensitive issues. Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan and prioritise your own workload and that of others. The ability to adapt your planning to rapid changes of situation Strong interpersonal skills with the ability work with people at all levels, to adapt your communication style according to the audience, build strong relationships with others, and deal appropriately with sensitive and/or high-level matters You will also be assessed against the following behaviours - Leadership (lead behaviour) Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing Applications will be sifted using all elements listed above, but in the event of a high number of applications, a sift will be conducted on the lead behaviour only: Leadership. When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected. At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours - Changing and Improving Seeing the Bigger Picture Leadership Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed but these will be held in person at Army Headquarters, Andover. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs. The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment. The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact:. As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.