UK Ministry of Defence
HQ Armed Forces Recruiting – Design Assurance Assistant Head
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Bristol, Abbey Wood (North), BS34 8JH
Job Summary
Would you like to be involved in the start of an exciting new way to deliver recruitment of Armed Forces personnel, for the Royal Navy, Army, and the Royal Air Force?
Headquarters Armed Forces Recruiting (HQ AFR) will deliver integrated tri-service recruitment for the Armed Forces to build and maintain force levels able to meet Defence outputs. The Armed Forces Recruiting Service (AFRS) contract has recently been awarded to Team Serco and collaborative transition activity has now commenced.
A role in HQ AFR is a superb opportunity. You will be at the forefront of a significant change, shaping the future recruitment for all three Services into a tri-Service delivery from 2027 and into steady state. Senior staff across Defence are keeping a keen interest in AFRS, meaning it is high profile, collaborative and engaging environment. You will be working within a diverse team, including military personnel, civilians, and external providers, which provides opportunities for learning and networking. The role offers a real chance to develop skills and demonstrate capabilities, which will provide clear tangible evidence to support you to potentially fulfil your career progression ambitions in the future.
You'd be contributing to the Armed Forces' ability to attract and retain the best talent, ultimately supporting national security.
If you're looking for a challenging, rewarding, and transformative role, this could be a great fit for you.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Due to the nature of the role, part time and job share arrangements may be considered, subject to the requirement that full-time hours are fully covered (or business needs are met).
Job Description
The HQ AFR will deliver integrated tri-service recruitment for the Armed Forces, to build and maintain force levels able to meet Defence outputs.
This post holder will be an integral part of the Digital & Data workstream, responsible for leading the Authority Design Assurance Team. This role will provide strategic support to the Digital & Data Deputy Head and Supplier. Responsibilities of the position include oversight of the Systems Co-ordinator, Platform Support Dep Lead and Compliance Dep Lead. The primary focus will be to ensure comprehensive digital assurance across the Programme. Additionally, the post holder will contribute to user research and customer experience initiatives, ensuring that service reporting, assurance, digital ethics and continuous service improvement are aligned with organisational goals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide an intelligent customer function and design assurance for user research; analysis of user research conducted by the Supplier.
- Responsible for digital services improvement, leading the Change management process.
- Collaborate with the Supplier to assess impact of changes to digital solution; ensuring decisions are based on research.
- Design architectural input to ongoing service changes, owning the authority element of changes through the life of the service and administer the change register.
- Ensuring the Supplier and Authority technical design and implementation assurance documentation is current and fit for purpose.
- Collaborate with G7 Data Management and Assurance, to inform outputs.
- Analysis of Service analytics to identify Service improvement and instigate resolution.
- Ensure Head of Digital and Data is informed of Service performance and developments.
- Identify any opportunities to implement cost savings or improvements to Service design.
- Leadership responsibility for the Security Assurance (SAC) lead, a System coordinator and Compliance Deputy Lead.
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Person specification
If you can deliver high-class service in a fast-paced environment, you are the type of person we are looking for!
We seek a proficient individual who can showcase their expertise and abilities in line with the following essential criteria:
- Focusing on the future from a systems design perspective.
- Experience/understanding of networking, including SaaS based technologies, hosted on AWS and Azure.
- Working knowledge of cloud and analytical products I.E. Domo/Adobe/Pega Cloud, etc.
- Awareness of security assurance and ability to understand it’s implementation.
- Promoting and directing change at business and technical levels.
- Proven Stakeholder engagement at all levels of the organisation.
- Understanding of technical blueprints and software tools supporting Service Delivery and Change.
- Proven achievement of leadership success.
- Building shared vision and values across digital teams.
In addition to the above, although not crucial, it is desirable to have experience in the following:
- Knowledge of MOD data policies, governance, related ethics and strategy
- Ability to operate sensitively in a fast-paced environment
- Serving our Armed Forces
- Working with Suppliers
- Working within a political arena
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- DDaT - Analysis and synthesis (data analyst) - Practitioner
- DDaT - Communication - Practitioner
- DDaT – Technical architecture (Tech Architect) - Practitioner
- DDaT – User centred and agile practices - Practitioner
- DDaT – Strategic Insight - Working
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
- DDaT - Analysis and synthesis (data analyst) - Practitioner
- DDaT - Communication - Practitioner
- DDaT – Technical architecture (Tech Architect) - Practitioner
Alongside your salary of £61,630, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,854 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).
Benefits:
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- Professional and personal development of skills, enabling you to build a long-term career in your chosen area.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- 25 days annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service. In addition to 8 public holidays per year.
- Eligibility to be a member of the Defence Sports & Recreational Association (DSRA) via Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC).
- On-site gymnasium (for a small monthly fee for membership of the CSSC).
- Eligibility for use of Defence Discount Service.
- On-site nursery (MOD Abbey Wood, South).
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.
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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, Experience and Technical skills.
Your suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile elements that have been chosen for this campaign and includes technical skills (
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