UK Ministry of Defence
HQ Armed Forces Recruiting – Safety, Health, Environment and Fire (SHEF) Lead
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Bristol, Abbey Wood (North), BS34 8JH
Job Summary
Are you passionate about creating safe, sustainable, and compliant environments and ready to make a difference? This is a unique opportunity to manage safety, health, environmental and fire protection across a nationwide recruitment estate, shaping standards that impact thousands of personnel across Defence.
Play a key role in creating safe, sustainable, and compliant environments across a nationwide recruitment estate. If you thrive on responsibility, collaboration, and impact, this role offers the perfect platform to showcase your expertise.
You will 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.
This is a high profile, collaborative and engaging environment with keen interest from senior staff across Defence. 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 post holder will sit within the Command Support Unit (CSU) team within in HQ AFR and will provide Safety, Health, Environment and Fire (SHEF) advice, direction, and support in relation to the Armed Forces Recruiting estate.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage with Impact: Act as the Authority’s expert on safety, health, environmental and fire protection, ensuring compliance with MOD standards and national regulations.
- Shape Policy: Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), produce annual SHEF statements and plans, and set the strategic direction for safety and sustainability.
- Drive Assurance: Monitor compliance and performance across the estate, prepare governance reports, and lead initiatives that enhance safety culture.
- Collaborative Working: Work closely with AFR business areas, the Supplier, Heads of Establishment, and specialist departments in Defence Fire & Rescue Service, Defence Safety Authority, and DSTL to influence best practice.
- Investigate and Innovate: Support high-level incident investigations, ensuring lessons learned drive continuous improvement.
- Make a Difference Nationwide: Oversee outreach activities across the UK, liaising with the Supplier and local authorities to ensure safe and compliant engagement.
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- Strategic Influence: Your expertise will help shape safety standards across a critical Defence function.
- Professional Growth: Engage with variety of stakeholders and various levels and specialist teams, gaining exposure to complex compliance and governance frameworks.
- Nationwide Impact: Travel across the UK (expenses covered) and contribute to projects that matter.
- Dynamic Environment: No two days are the same—this role combines leadership, policy development, and hands-on assurance.
Travel Requirements
Travel across the recruiting estate is required (claimable expenses). Some locations may not be accessible via public transport.
Person Specification
If you are dynamic and adept at devising and enhancing processes, products, and operational methods to deliver a high-class service, you are the type of candidate we are looking for!
We seek a proficient individual who can showcase their expertise and abilities in line with the following essential criteria:
- Previous experience of working in a health and safety role.
- IOSH qualification or equivalent.
- Knowledge of health, safety, and environmental protection best practices.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Good ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Valid UK driving licence (due to travel requirements, and that some of the estate will not be easily accessible by public transport).
In addition to the above, although not crucial, it is desirable to have experience in the following:
- NEBOSH Certificate, or willingness to complete within 12 months of appointment. Organisation-funded qualifications may be subject to a learning agreement and minimum service commitment.
- Certificate in Environmental Management or a relevant equivalent.
- Experience of HS & EP assurances, either supporting or as an auditor.
- Membership of relevant professional body.
- Completion of 4Cs Accountable Person training or willingness to complete within 12 months of appointment.
- Willingness to complete further professional development, which may include study to diploma level.
Licences
Valid UK driving licence (due to travel requirements).
Qualifications
IOSH qualification or equivalent.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical Skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Safety & Environmental Professions in Defence Functional Competency Framework – Regulations and Permissions
Benefits
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.
- 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).
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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.
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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection Process Details
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