UK Ministry of Defence
Army - Religious Teacher (Pandit)
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Larkhill, SP4 8QT.
Job Summary
As part of the newly formed King’s Gurkha Artillery at Larkhill, this is a unique opportunity to operate at the heart of a developing and operationally focused Regiment. The Pandit is a highly visible, soldier facing figure whose influence extends across all levels of the unit, from individual welfare to senior leadership advice.
Through the provision of spiritual leadership, cultural stewardship and pastoral care, the Pandit directly contributes to operational effectiveness. The role ensures that Gurkha soldiers remain grounded in their values and traditions while fully prepared to serve as confident, capable members of the Royal Artillery.
Ultimately, the Pandit plays a vital part in upholding the Army’s longstanding commitment to its Gurkha personnel helping to shape a cohesive, resilient and ready force for the future.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology, and modern workspaces supports a healthy work-life balance while ensuring effective delivery of outcomes.
However, due to the nature of the Gurkha Units Pandit role, there is an expectation of predominantly physical presence approximately 95% in person and 5% delivered remotely during the working period. This is essential for religious duties, ceremonies, and direct engagement. Despite this, the role allows for a balanced workload, providing sufficient flexibility and time to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Job Description
This is a specialist appointment requiring recognised expertise in Hindu religious practices, traditions and cultural customs. The Pandit serves as the principal advisor to the Gurkha Major, King’s Gurkha Artillery, and the wider Chain of Command on all matters relating to religious observance, cultural leadership and pastoral care within a military environment.
At the core of the role is the responsibility for the management and upkeep of the Regimental Mandir (temple), ensuring it remains a focal point for worship, reflection and community cohesion. This includes the planning and delivery of daily puja, major religious festivals such as Dashain, Tihar and other significant observances, and ceremonial events that uphold the spiritual life of Gurkha soldiers and their families.
The Pandit provides dedicated pastoral support to soldiers and their families, offering guidance through personal, professional and cultural challenges. Acting as a trusted confidant, the Pandit plays a key role in sustaining morale, welfare and resilience across the unit, particularly during periods of transition, training and operational demand.
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver Hindu religious services and conduct ceremonial duties for Gurkha soldiers and their families, including festivals, parades and key life events (e.g. births, marriages and bereavements).
- Provide expert pastoral, spiritual and moral support to personnel and their families, including dedicated care for those who are sick, injured, or bereaved.
- Act as a trusted advisor to the Chain of Command, supporting the maintenance of morale, cohesion and overall wellbeing across the Regiment.
- Maintain, manage and develop the unit Mandir, ensuring it remains a well-resourced and accessible centre for worship, reflection and community engagement.
- Promote mental wellbeing and personal resilience through structured activities such as meditation, mindfulness and yoga.
- Preserve and promote Nepalese culture, traditions and values within the Regiment, reinforcing the unique identity of Gurkha soldiers.
- Deliver cultural, religious and educational support to Gurkha families and children, including the promotion of language, heritage and identity.
- Contribute directly to operational effectiveness by strengthening the moral and ethical component of the Regiment, both in barracks and on deployment.
- Support the wider Brigade of Gurkhas network and, where appropriate, contribute to the broader Armed Forces community in matters of faith, culture and welfare.
- Advise the Gurkha Major and senior leadership on cultural matters, ensuring informed decision making and the respectful integration of Gurkha traditions within a modern military environment.
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In Addition, The Role Includes:
- Advising the Chain of Command on cultural sensitivities, traditions and practices to ensure informed and inclusive leadership decisions.
- Supporting the integration of Gurkha soldiers into the wider Royal Artillery while preserving their unique identity and heritage.
- Contributing to unit cohesion by promoting shared understanding, respect and mutual trust across diverse personnel.
- Assisting in ceremonial duties, regimental events and key activities that reinforce pride, discipline and spirit de corps.
Person specification
Essential Skills And Experience:
- Recognised qualification and established authority in Hindu religious practice, such as Shastri or equivalent, from a Gurukul, Vedic school, or accredited religious institution.
- Proven experience of delivering pastoral care and spiritual guidance within a community or similarly structured environment.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and engage confidently with soldiers, families, and the Chain of Command.
- Sound understanding of Nepalese culture, traditions and values, with the ability to apply these effectively within a modern military context.
- Demonstrable ability to support individuals through challenging circumstances with sensitivity, discretion and professionalism.
- Well organised, adaptable, and capable of managing competing priorities within a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
- Able to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a wider, multidisciplinary team.
- Proven competence in conducting Hindu rituals, ceremonies and festivals.
- Formal recognition by a religious authority or community body to perform religious duties.
Desirable Skills And Experience:
- Experience of working with Gurkha personnel or within a military environment.
- Previous experience in delivering wellbeing support or structured activities such as meditation, mindfulness or yoga.
- Experience of working with families and young people, including the delivery of educational, cultural or community-based activities.
- Working knowledge of both Nepali and English to support effective communication across the community.
- Broad awareness of other faiths and belief systems, supporting an inclusive and respectful approach within a diverse environment.
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as religious studies, theology, Hindu studies, philosophy or cultural studies.
Qualifications
Recognised qualification and established authority in Hindu religious practice, such as Shastri or equivalent, from a Gurukul, Vedic school, or accredited religious institution.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Leadership
- Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Leadership
Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.
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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
Please Note:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
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