DIO - United Kingdom Defence Training Estate - Deputy Commander East Region

HQ West Tofts Camp, THETFORD, Norfolk, IP26 5EP

Job Summary

The Overseas Region & Defence Training Estate, part of the DIO, delivers a safe, sustainable place to train. We do this by managing and developing hard, soft and rural services, and providing training advice and guidance to help our Armed Forces use the military training estate more effectively and efficiently. The Training Estate is managed in partnership with the commercial partners, Landmarc Support Services.

The Headquarters Defence Training Estate (East) is tasked with delivering the HoE role and training services to allow Defence and partners across government to live, work and train. The main effort for HQ DTE (East) is to manage the safe place to train, support and advise Training Safety Officers at each site in the delivery of their safe place duties and responsibilities. All staff focus on delivering the safe place to train, ensuring the rigorous application of statutory legislation and mandatory regulation contained in the various standing orders, with especial focus on the safe system of training.

Reporting to the Commander DTE (East), the Deputy Commander, as the principal staff officer in HQ DTE (East), is responsible for all matters of policy and strategic significance. The lead for UK Operations and liaison with Regional Brigades, the post holder is also responsible for developing and maintaining close working relationships at HQ level with DIO, OS & Trg, UK DTE and with LMS and local stakeholders. The Deputy Commander provides a central focus for all regional outputs and advises the Training Safety Officers (TSOs) in the execution of their duties.

The Deputy Commander also has specific responsibility for the delivery of a safe training service, the operation of the Bidding and Allocation Management Service (BAMS), adjudication between conflicting bids, the operation of the BAMS Support Cell and the Regional Operations Room.

The postholder oversees the HQ DTE (East) responses to Parliamentary business, Freedom of Information requests, Public Relations and Media and Community Engagement and leads on the interpretation and development of military byelaws.

The Deputy Commander deputises for the Commander as required, is the Deputy Authorising Officer for the TESC contact and advises the TSOs on its interpretation.

Previous Military experience and knowledge at unit level are essential as the role requires a detailed understanding of 'Safe Place' and its application to military training. The Deputy Commander will be required to visit all parts of the DTE in the delivery of his responsibilities and to assure safe place.

Job Description

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

• The post has Line Management responsibility for one civil servant and four FTRS staff.
• Staff focus for HQ DTE (East) for all matters of policy and strategic significance.
• Lead for all UK Ops that affect DTE (East) working closely with Regional Brigades, HQ UK DTE and HQ OS and Trg Ops Plans staff.
• Develop and maintain a close working relationship with DIO, HQ OS and Trg, HQ UK DTE, Regional Bdes and RPOCs and user units.
• Assure all areas of DTE (East) business with a focus on Operational and Safe Place to Train standards.
• Build a working relationship with the local community in order to understand their concerns and manage the wider non-MOD stakeholders, including NGOs, in order to sustain the MODs consent to train.
• Encourage and endorse a collaborative relationship with our commercial partners working together to deliver the very highest standards of contract output.
• Deputise for Commander DTE (East) when required. Act as defacto Head of Establishment in absence of RAU Commander.
• Service Funds Account Manager.
• Risk and Issues (SPRITE) Manager.
• Provide a central focus for all headquarters staff outputs, monitor the region’s response to higher authority returns and reports to ensure that they are submitted, on time, comply with the recognised staff process and procedure, maintain a standard of convention and deliver the required detail in an easy to understand format.
• Specific responsibility for Business Continuity, Risks and Issues and Incident Reporting.
• Support and direction for Training Safety Officers in liaison with military units and civilian organisations using training area facilities to ensure that their requirements are met and any on-site issues resolved.
• Support for the Commander DTE (East) in all aspects of his work, and deputising for him in his absence when required.
• Ensure the Regional Operations Room remains safe, effective and efficient by regular review of the Standing Orders, monitoring the day-to-day operation and giving direction to the Ops WOs and the Industry Partner Operators as necessary. Act as the regional lead on BAMS.
• On a rota, take the role of Duty Officer for weekend and out-of-hours cover as required.
• Single point of contact for Media and Public Relations working closely with the TSOs, DIO media team and the three service media offices. Responsible for Community Relations working with the local authorities and parish councils to ensure we maintain the 'Consent to Train' including: Local Authorities, Parish Councils, Conservation Groups, Natural England, Historic England, National Parks, Public Access forums and lobby groups.
• Investigate, research and prepare all responses to Parliamentary Questions, letters from MPs, Freedom of Information Requests and requests for information from the Media.
• Maintain effective liaison within DIO, industry partners, contractors and local stakeholders to foster collaborative working and safeguard the reputation of the MOD.