Northwood Job Summary The Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) is a 3* led HQ, based at Northwood leading and running overseas operations, and consists of approx. 500 staff; a mix of military and Civil Servants. The Command Support Group (CSG) within PJHQ is responsible, on behalf of the Chief of Joint Operations (CJO) and the Defence Commitments Management Organisation, for supporting the Command Group, their outer offices and the wider HQ to conduct their critical business. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job Description We are looking for a hardworking and enthusiastic individual with strong interpersonal, organisational and collaborative skills to join our motivated and upbeat team! The purpose of this role is to lead internal communications for PJHQ Group, with a focus on People-related information. The postholder will ensure that all messaging is clear, relevant, and up to date, tailoring communications to the appropriate audiences. This includes maintaining and updating PJHQ Group People Information, regularly reviewing notices and literature, and creating or revising documentation as required to ensure accuracy and consistency. The role also involves acting as Deputy for the Civilian Reward and Recognition Scheme, supporting the Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Deputy Business Manager (HR) in administering the process to ensure timely and effective recognition of civilian contributions. Additionally, the postholder will manage PJHQ’s involvement in the Honours and Awards process, coordinating half-yearly and operational lists in collaboration with the PJHQ Executive Officer (XO), MOD, and deployed commanders. Beyond these core responsibilities, the postholder will provide flexible business support, undertaking ad-hoc tasks as required to meet organisational needs. This role is critical in ensuring effective communication, recognition, and support processes within PJHQ Group, contributing to the smooth operation and morale of the organisation. We are looking for a hardworking and enthusiastic individual with strong interpersonal, organisational and collaborative skills to join our motivated and upbeat team! The purpose of this role is to lead internal communications for PJHQ Group, with a focus on People-related information. The postholder will ensure that all messaging is clear, relevant, and up to date, tailoring communications to the appropriate audiences. This includes maintaining and updating PJHQ Group People Information, regularly reviewing notices and literature, and creating or revising documentation as required to ensure accuracy and consistency. The role also involves acting as Deputy for the Civilian Reward and Recognition Scheme, supporting the Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Deputy Business Manager (HR) in administering the process to ensure timely and effective recognition of civilian contributions. Additionally, the postholder will manage PJHQ’s involvement in the Honours and Awards process, coordinating half-yearly and operational lists in collaboration with the PJHQ Executive Officer (XO), MOD, and deployed commanders. Beyond these core responsibilities, the postholder will provide flexible business support, undertaking ad-hoc tasks as required to meet organisational needs. This role is critical in ensuring effective communication, recognition, and support processes within PJHQ Group, contributing to the smooth operation and morale of the organisation. Person specification Essential PJHQ and the CSG are dynamic and exciting places to work. Applicants should hold SC level of clearance or be willing to undergo the process to attain SC clearance. Recruitment into the role and continuation in the post is dependent upon successfully obtaining this level of clearance. The applicant must be well organised with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines. Excellent communication skills with the knowledge of using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). Being adept at building and maintaining strong relationships across the HQ is critical as the applicant will be engaging across all Divisions of the HQ and to other parts of MOD. Desirable Previous Experience in Internal Communications: Experience in a similar role within the MOD or a comparable organisation. Familiarity with Honours and Awards: Prior involvement in administering honours and awards processes would be advantageous. Knowledge of Military Culture: Understanding the unique aspects of military life and culture to ensure communications are relevant and effective. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Managing a Quality Service Delivering at Pace Communicating and Influencing Changing and Improving Alongside your salary of £29,580, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,569 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% London Allowance £3300 The post does not offer relocation expenses. Northwood HQ is a well-served site, offering a variety of facilities such as gym, nursery, salon and local shop. Transport links are good with a regular shuttle service to Moor Park tube station and limited access to free on-site parking (subject to capacity and on first come first served basis). There are several catering options and opportunities to join the Northwood Officers' Mess. As a civil servant, flexible working is encouraged and opportunities for professional and personal development are available and tailored to your role. The Permanent Joint Headquarters promotes and values a culture of inclusion and diversity within its 500 staff of military and civil service personnel. Additional benefits include a Civil Service Pension, and an annual leave allowance starting at 25 days, increasing annually thereafter. 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. Please Note 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. 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. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. To Apply Please complete the CV details to include: job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience. Please also complete a Statement of suitability (250 words or less). Your Statement of suitability should clearly demonstrate your suitability for the role based on the job description and person specification above. It should explain why you want the role and why you think your skills and experiences make you suitable for it. At sift, you will be assessed against your CV, Statement of suitability and the following Behaviours: Managing a quality service Delivering at pace Communicating and influencing Changing and Improving If a large volume of applications are received, the sift may be conducted on the basis of the Statement of suitability, Communicating, Influencing and Delivering at Pace. At Interview, You Will Be Assessed Against The Following Managing a quality service Delivering at pace Communicating and influencing Changing and Improving Further Information Details of the interview process will be provided to those candidates in advance of the interview. Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. 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. 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. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. 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 security check (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. 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 security check (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. 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). 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 : Jasveen Bilkhu Email : UKStratCom-PJHQ-CSG-HR@mod.gov.uk Telephone : 01923955036 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.