Location Army Headquarters, Andover, SP11 8HJ Due to the nature of the information the post holder will be required to handle, this role is not suitable for remote or flexible working. About the job Job summary The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 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 Advanced capabilities Capability Development Officer position sits inside the Army Headquarters Futures Directorate, a fast-paced and exciting place to work. In Army Futures, our role is to help the British Army win. We do this by ensuring the Army keeps pace with social, political, technological and environmental changes and the speed at which our adversaries adapt. We then operate as an engine for research, innovation, analysis and experimentation to determine how the Army must be structured, trained and equipped in the future. The Army Advanced Capabilities Development Officer is a key part of the small Army Special Capabilities (SPECAP) team, inside the Futures Directorate. The SPECAP team is dedicated to protecting, developing and helping the Army to employ, the most sensitive and often highest technology military capabilities. The Army’s greatest assets are its people (both civilian and military) and we pride ourselves on harnessing skills, improving talent and getting the best from our people. We believe that a Civil Service career supporting the Army offers an outstanding blend of challenge and variety not found anywhere else! We also believe your unique personal experiences, view and understanding of the world can provide a vital perspective and contribution to our work. We recognise that great minds do not always think alike and are striving to increase our diversity representation at all levels. As an equal opportunities employer we hire, train and promote people based on merit and encourage them to build an inclusive work environment free of discrimination. Are you interested in helping the Army to use sensitive science and technologies to win on the battlefield? Whether your already have experience in developing, acquiring or managing highly technical military equipment, or are just starting your career and are looking for a change and are keen to learn how to help the British Army to become more effective on the battlefield, we want to hear from you! This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job description The Army Advanced Capabilities Development Officer is an exciting role that combines work on ground-breaking science and technology with development of practical military capability to help the Army to win in battle. The position is a key part of the Army Special Capabilities team in Army Headquarters and works alongside both military and civilian personnel to help the Army to develop and manage the most sensitive military technologies and capabilities. Responsibilities include meshing the processes and mechanisms used by the Army and wider MOD to develop and acquire new weapons, equipment and other capabilities with those used to protect our most sensitive technologies and being one of the key focal points for the Army’s work to develop and integrate advanced capabilities. If you would like to work within a small, multi-disciplinary team within the Army, exploiting Science and Technology in support of the nation’s security, then this post could be for you. If successful your main responsibilities will include: We will need you to converse between the Army Special Capabilities team and those responsible for developing and acquiring other military capabilities You will help Army staff access and manage sensitive information and to integrate their sensitive work with the Army’s more routine capability project and programme management and acquisition activity We will also need you to develop and manage a professional network and help link the Army with technical subject matter experts at UK Space Command, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratories (Dstl) and others You will be pivotal in helping the Army to harness the military opportunities offered by highly technical, advanced capabilities From time to time we will need you to attend meetings and training courses elsewhere in the UK (and potentially abroad) which will develop both your professional network and your understanding of MOD capability development and acquisition and, of more technical subjects like Space and Cyber and their use in the context of Defence Other duties as required Due to the nature of the information the post holder will be required to handle, this is a Reserved Post open only to sole UK Nationals and is not suitable for remote or flexible working. If successful you will be required to obtain Developed Vetting with no security vetting risks that would prevent you from being granted access to all categories of Top Secret material, for this role if not already held. Person specification We are looking for a motivated, technically minded and security aware person, ideally with an existing understanding of MOD Capability and Acquisition and staffing processes. This person needs to be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. A relevant technical degree or previous science or technology or military capability related experience would be helpful but is not essential. Essential Experience: Evidence of a working knowledge of capability management, acquisition and staff processes Evidence of technical acumen and experience of working on technical or science related subjects Evidence of security awareness with a broad understanding of how and why sensitive information must be protected Evidence of a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Desirable Experience: A broad understanding of the likely benefits Advanced capabilities capabilities Broad understanding of Advanced capabilities related Science and Technology (S&T) Experience of the Space and/or Cyber Domains, ideally related to SPECAP or Cyber operations P3M experience at either the project or programme level Understanding of MOD Capability and Acquisition and staffing processes Relevant technical degree or previous science or technology or military capability experience Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Making Effective Decisions Seeing the Big Picture Benefits 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 Free parking Access to on-site gym 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 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. 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. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. At application you will be required to submit a career history (CV) and personal statement of no more than 500 words, to demonstrate that you have the following essential experience required for this position. Your experience will be assessed at both sift and interview. Essential Experience: • Evidence of a working knowledge capability management, acquisition and staff processes • Evidence of technical acumen and experience of working on technical or science related subjects • Evidence of security awareness with a broad understanding of how and why sensitive information must be protected • Evidence of a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office At sift you will be assessed against your CV, personal statement and the following Behaviours - Making Effective Decisions Seeing the Bigger Picture 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. Applications will be sifted using all elements listed above, but in the event of a high number of applications, the sift will be conducted on the lead Behaviour only: Making Effective Decisions. At interview you will be assessed against the following Behaviours - Making Effective Decisions Seeing the Bigger Picture You will also be asked experience based questions. 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 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: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk. 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. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements Open to UK nationals only. Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Ed O'Brien Email : Edward.OBrien310@mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk Further information Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk. Attachments Candidate Information Opens in new window (docx, 31kB) Army candidate information pack Opens in new window (pdf, 3851kB) Defence Civil Servant Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)