UK Ministry of Defence
Army - Safety, Health, Environmental and Fire Officer (SHEF)
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Base location: Bourlon Barracks, Catterick Garrison DL9 3AD
Job Summary
The Ministry of Defence, Civil Service workforce is diverse, with many different functions and professions ranging from cyber and digital transformation, police officers, security guards, trainers, human resources, teachers, psychologists, storekeepers, and policy secretariat staff to support the British Army.
We are seeking a motivated individual to join our SHEF team. In this role you will be the principal Safety, Health, Environment and Fire (SHEF) advisor within the Area of Responsibility, leading SHEF governance, assurance, compliance and risk management activities on behalf of the Head of Establishment (HoE) for Safe Place, ensuring statutory and Defence policy requirements are met and providing professional advice, assurance and support to the JMC (Joint Military Command) Commander and Establishment Managers.
Whilst this post will be considered as part of a future Firm Base Transformation review, it is not expected to be impacted by the outcome of that review.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job Description
Reporting to the Head of Establishment, you will:
- Lead and manage Safety, Health, Environmental and Fire (SHEF) compliance across the Area of Responsibility, ensuring adherence to Defence and Army policy, statutory obligations and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for Regular, Reserve and Cadet dependencies.
- Act as the principal SHEF Subject Matter Expert, providing advice, guidance and direction to the Joint Military Command Commander/Head of Establishment, Establishment Managers and affiliated units on all safety, health, environmental and fire matters.
- Develop, maintain and review the Commander’s SHEF governance framework, including the annual SHEF Statement of Intent, organisational arrangements, delivery plans, objectives and reporting requirements.
- Plan, coordinate and deliver assurance and audit activity, including Army Safety and Environmental Management System Audits (ASEMSA), inspections, assurance reviews and associated reporting to support the annual assurance process.
- Monitor, analyse and drive the resolution of SHEF risks, non-compliances and corrective actions, ensuring issues are tracked, reported, escalated where required and reduced to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).
- Manage SHEF information, reporting and assurance systems, including reports and returns, assurance records, corrective action tracking and support for Defence SHEF management tools.
- Provide oversight of fire safety compliance and environmental assurance, including monitoring fire risk assessments, enforcement actions, remedial measures and other statutory SHEF requirements.
- Coordinate and promote SHEF capability across the area of responsibility through safety training, stakeholder engagement, governance meetings, liaison with higher headquarters and representation at internal and external forums.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and aligned to your knowledge, skills and experience, as directed by your line manager or branch head.
Additional training maybe required that will involve time away from home.
Please note: The successful candidate may be required to undertake role-related training, such as NEBOSH or ISO 45001 Auditor qualifications, depending on their existing skills and experience. While some training can be completed remotely, certain courses may require travel and occasional overnight stays. Training is not expected to involve extended periods away from home.
Person specification
This role would suit someone who enjoys working in a dynamic environment and can respond effectively to changing priorities and emerging issues. You will be organised, proactive and comfortable managing a varied workload while building effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
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Essential Criteria:
- NEBOSH Certificate or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organisational and planning abilities.
- Experience of health and safety management, assurance, compliance or auditing.
- Ability to interpret legislation, policy and guidance and provide practical advice.
- Experience of producing reports and presenting findings to senior stakeholders.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage a varied workload.
- A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across the North Region are essential, due to the geographical spread of locations and limited public transport links.
Desirable Skills:
- Experience within the MOD, Armed Forces, Cadet Forces or public sector.
- Environmental management experience.
- ISO Auditor.
- Unit Fire Safety Manager.
- Knowledge of safety management systems and assurance frameworks.
Licences
- Full UK Driving Licence required
Qualifications
- NEBOSH Certificate or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
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.
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 working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements 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.
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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.
Artificial intelligence
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
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
At sift, you will be assessed against the following criteria, listed in priority order:
Experience
Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability in no more than 750 words demonstrating your relevant skills and experience in line with the essential criteria. Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.
Behaviours
Leadership Making Effective Decisions
Where a large number of applications are received, an initial sift may be conducted against the Personal Statement only. The remaining evidence submitted at the application stage will be assessed only if you are successful at this initial sift.
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