UK Ministry of Defence
Retention and Resettlement Officer - Army
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Ordnance Barracks, Aldershot, GU11 2DX
We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuring you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently – we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation. However, as this is a delivery role it may not always be possible to accommodate flexible/home working.
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.
Within the MOD, the British Army delivers education and training to Soldiers and Officers to help them meet the challenges of the 21st century by training for certainty and educating for uncertainty. A significant proportion of this education is delivered by the Army Education Service (AES), which operates through a network of nine Army Education Centre Groups (AEC Gps) across the UK and Cyprus. The majority of those supported are Regular and Reserve Army personnel.
Army Education Centres are staffed by a combination of Army officers, Civil Servants and contracted civilian staff. Roles include military officers, civilian teachers, administrative staff and Digital Skills Hub personnel. Together, we work to achieve our key objective: delivering high-quality education and lifelong learning and development opportunities to Service Personnel.
The Retention and Resettlement role is an important position that helps ensure education, resettlement and transition support is delivered consistently across the Army. The post holder is responsible for overseeing service delivery, supporting a network of Individual Education and Resettlement Officers (IEROs), and working with a range of partners to improve outcomes for personnel as they develop their careers and prepare for life beyond military service.
This is a varied role that combines programme management, stakeholder engagement and performance oversight, offering the opportunity to make a direct and positive impact on people's lives. The role also leads a key functional area within Educational and Training Services (South) (ETS(S)), providing direct support to ETS(S) Headquarters and advising the Commanding Officer on performance, risks and priorities relating to retention and resettlement.
The post is advertised on a 37-hour per week.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the delivery, governance and quality assurance of Individual Education and Resettlement (IE&R) and retention services across Educational and Training Services (South) (ETS(S)), acting as the principal point of contact for all IE&R matters.
- Oversee the delivery of IE&R services, ensuring compliance with policy, mandated processes and service standards, while providing advice, direction and escalation through the Chain of Command where required.
- Develop and maintain assurance, governance and reporting arrangements, including performance monitoring, risk management and formal reporting to governance boards, using data and insight to drive service improvement and support future policy development.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders across Defence, government and external delivery partners, representing IE&R interests at key forums and ensuring services remain joined-up, effective and responsive to changing requirements.
- Lead engagement, support and professional development activities for the Individual Education and Resettlement Officer (IERO) network, including coordinating forums, continuous professional development and specialist advice.
- Oversee training requirements and outputs, including monitoring Resettlement Information Staff (RIS) course throughput, gathering feedback and supporting continuous improvement of training and service delivery.
- Exercise delegated authority for IE&R casework, including the authorisation of Post-Discharge Resettlement Authorities (PDRAs), Overseas Resettlement Authorities (ORAs), civilian work attachments and training requests, ensuring decisions are timely, consistent and compliant with policy.
- Act as the Service Single Representative (sSR) for Learning Credits and Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service (ELCAS) activity, managing exceptions and ensuring compliance with relevant policy.
- Lead and support projects, transformation activity and digital initiatives relating to education, retention and resettlement services, ensuring organisational requirements are represented and delivered.
- Provide policy guidance and assurance to the IERO network, maintaining oversight of information management, record keeping, audit readiness and compliance with information management requirements.
- Contribute to the development of future policy and programmes, supporting improvements to resettlement services, learning opportunities and retention initiatives, including the Army Retention Effect, Life Skills and Leave Well Campaign.
- Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade and responsibilities of the post, as directed by the Line Manager.
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Person Specification
Essential Skills Required
- Service delivery and coordination: Experience of managing or coordinating programmes, services or outputs, ensuring consistent delivery against defined standards and objectives.
- Stakeholder engagement: Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders, including internal teams and external delivery partners.
- Data analysis and reporting: Experience of analysing data, identifying trends, and producing clear reports to support decision-making and improve performance.
- Policy interpretation: Experience of working with policies or regulated frameworks and translating them into clear guidance to support delivery.
- Communication skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and provide advice or guidance to others.
- Governance and compliance: Experience of monitoring performance, managing risk, and ensuring activities align with agreed processes or standards.
- Planning and organisation: Ability to manage competing priorities, organise workload effectively, and deliver outcomes within deadlines.
- Digital and IT skills: Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications (including Excel, SharePoint, Teams and Power BI or equivalent), with the ability to manage data, produce reports and support collaborative working.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience in education, training, skills development or career transition services.
- Understanding of workforce retention, employability or professional development programmes.
- Experience working within, or alongside, government, defence or large public sector organisations.
- Knowledge of learning funding schemes, grants or training entitlements.
- Experience supporting assurance activity, audits or quality improvement processes.
- Experience contributing to process improvement, system implementation or digital change initiatives.
- Experience of facilitating workshops, training, or professional development activity.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Managing a Quality Service
- Developing Self and Others
- Working Together
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We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Leadership
- Managing a Quality Service
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).
Benefits (specific To Role)
- 37 hours working day.
- Up to 30 days paid annual leave
- Highly competitive pension scheme
- Personal and professional development of skills
- 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, non-birthing parent and adoption leave
- 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
ETS (S) HQ Specific Benefits
- Free on-site easy access parking
- Free access to Garrison Gym facilities
- Access to large dining facility with discounted meal rates
- Shared office in ETS S HQ
Discover my benefits outlines the range of benefits available to MOD Civil Servants
As an SO2 working alongside the Army, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects and a job that makes a difference.
The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance. There are also opportunities for some hybrid working as a staff officer in a Headquarters.
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.
The successful candidate can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.
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.
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
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