UK Ministry of Defence
Operational Analyst Air HQ
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
RAF High Wycombe, Naphill, Walter's Ash, High Wycombe HP14 4UE
Job Summary
This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional candidate to support operations and development at the RAF Headquarters at RAF High Wycombe. This MOD Senior Executive Officer (SEO) post offers an opportunity for someone with substantial defence knowledge, strong technical and interpersonal skills, and a proactive approach in ambiguity, to contribute to conduct, planning and assessment of air operations at a time of significant global tension. Additionally, organisational changes in 11Gp will provide the chance for the post to support a review to identify opportunities for analytical support.
The successful candidate will be part of a small team embedded in a military structure at Air Command, reporting to a Grade 7 and managing a single HEO analyst. The team is integral to Air Operations, advising senior leadership and operational planners.
Post is reserved for UK Nationals only. This is a reserved post requiring DV clearance with additional nationality checks, so please check the eligibility requirements.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week but operational activity may require irregular hours and national/international travel.
Job Description
The Air & Space Warfare Centre (ASWC) is the primary source of impartial, authoritative and integrated advice to support success on current and future operations in the Air and Space environments, including associated Electronic Warfare, Cyber and Information.
The ASWC’s Operational Research Branch (ORB) is the provider of impartial scientific analysis support on matters relating to current and future operational capabilities. The ORB team of civilian (MOD/Dstl) operational research and test specialists, embedded in the HQ and across multiple ASWC units, provides evidence-based analysis to support decision making by Front Line squadrons, Test and Evaluation Squadrons (TES), and Air and Space Commands.
Embedded Within The Military Headquarters At RAF High Wycombe, You Will Be Responsible To The Senior Scientific Adviser, Via The New Grade 7 Post Of Operations Support Scientific Adviser For:
- Developing and Sustaining 11 Gp Analysis Capability. Support decision-making at all levels of 11 Gp with the provision of scientific advice. This includes a wide range of OA techniques including data capture and analysis, the development and application of bespoke modelling and simulation tools, and the provision of Critical Thinking support.
- Supporting Routine Operations. Support ongoing operations with the provision of Assessment and Analysis.
- Supporting Exercises and Contingent Operations. Support operational delivery with the provision of Assessment and Analysis.
- Developing and Sustaining 11 Gp Assessment Capability. Provide an assured Assessment capability in operations and exercises, in support of both decision-making and Joint-level Assessments.
- Supporting Wider Air Command. Support wider 11 Gp and Air Command priorities in cases where best placed to do so with regards to resources and expertise. Additionally, providing support to other tasks as directed by Commandant ASWC.
- Liaison with the Wider OA Community. Conduct liaison and, where appropriate, provide support to other operationally-focussed OA staff in relevant headquarters across MOD and allies.
Person specification
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate experience of:
- Communicating and Influencing - making evidential cases to military staff is an important aspect of the job.
- Seeing the Big Picture - understand how the role fits with and supports organisational objectives.
- Delivering at Pace - as an operational command, requirements and priorities may quickly change. You must be able to deliver at pace and respond to unpredictable demand.
- Making Effective Decisions - use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
- Achieving impact with analysis – you must be able to brief analysis output in a variety of styles to a wide set of stakeholders.
- Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques – use a variety of relevant statistical techniques to inform decision making.
- The successful candidate will be confident at working independently, looking proactively for solutions to challenges and offering advice to decision makers.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
It is desirable that the successful candidate can demonstrate experience of:
- Managing others as a line manager.
- The MOD and Defence environment, especially in Air concepts and doctrine.
- Using advanced statistical techniques.
- Working with classified information.
A GORS badge is not required for this post. However, arrangements can be made for continued membership while in post.
Qualifications
- Scientific or other numerate degree
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Achieving impact with analysis
- Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques
Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 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).
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
- Holiday Entitlement - 25-day annual leave allowance per year increasing by 1 day per year (maximum 30 days per year). In addition, 8 statutory Bank Holidays and 1 privilege day per year. MoD recognises the diverse religious origins within its workforce and seeks to accommodate individual leave requirements.
- Special Paid Leave to volunteer up to 6 days per year.
- Flexible Working - Full time staff will work 37 hours a week but have some flexibility of when they complete these hours, subject to operational requirements.
- Learning & Development - MoD aims to provide its civilian staff with 5 days a year of Learning & Development (L&D) tailored to your role, delivered through a combination of high-quality training courses and informal opportunities.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- We also offer an excellent range of family-friendly benefits, for example, enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
Please Note:
- 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.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
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.
Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.
Candidates will be required to provide a Personal Statement. (500 words maximum)
Please fill out the personal statement section stating how your skills and experience fit the requirements for the role. Applicants can also provide a brief outline of what technical skills you are able to bring to the team and how you feel they will benefit the ASWC.
At sift, Candidates will be assessed against your CV, Personal Statement and the following:
Behaviours
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
Technical Skills
- Achieving impact with analysis
- Knowledge and application of OR skills and technique
At interview, Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:
Behaviours
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
Technical Skills
- Achieving impact with analysis
- Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques
Further Information:
- It is anticipated that the sift will be early August 2026, with subsequent in person interviews at RAF High Wycombe later in the month.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DC
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location