Defence Business Services (DBS) Continuous Improvement Coach

Are you a dedicated person who is passionate about making a difference?

Would you like to work for the Ministry of Defence? 

Defence Business Services (DBS) is one of the largest shared service organisations in Europe that provides a wide range of corporate services, to over 1.2 million end users, including serving and past military and families, as well as MoD civil servants and industry. DBS delivers large scale administration and smaller specialist services to enable the wider MOD to focus on its core aims, maintaining the UK’s Defence and Security. Services include Human Resources, Pay, Veterans, Finance and Procurement. 
 
•    Our Vision – To support UK defence customers with outstanding service every time.

•    Our Mission – Together we will proudly support Defence, continuously improving and delivering flexible, timely, sustainable and value for money services that underpin the whole force and enhance operational capability. 

DBS is committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues. We are building an inclusive culture and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society. 

We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us through opportunities to develop your skills and experience. We also offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career accessible to you and offer a Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%. Where your role permits, we support a blended working approach alternatively known as hybrid working.

Come and join the DBS community today! 

Applicants should note that DBS has recently undertaken a review of its operational locations in the North West, and will consolidate all activities in Blackpool. This means that DBS staff will move from both Walker House (Liverpool) and Cheadle Hulme in the late Summer of 2023 and initially relocate to Tomlinson House (Norcross). A further move, to the new Government Hub at Talbot Gateway in Blackpool, is scheduled to take place in 2026.
As a result, all vacant DBS posts in the North West will be advertised at Tomlinson House (Norcross). There is, however, an expectation that all DBS staff, irrespective of their agreed duty station, will travel to other DBS and/or MOD site(s), as required, to complete all necessary training and to participate in team or additional collaborative activities – detached duty terms may apply. Terms of transfer have been negotiated for DBS posts relocating in the North West. DBS also supports Flexible Working, which can be discussed in more detail at interview.

This is an exciting role in operational delivery within a multi-disciplined team as part of the DBS Programme Delivery function.

The role is designed to maintain our focus on continuous improvement as outlined in the DBS Business Plan and embed a CI culture across DBS. This involves demonstrating a facilitative and coaching leadership style and building awareness and capability across DBS, ultimately, enabling our people to become continuously improving Teams alongside supporting wider organisational design changes.
The role will work in partnership with a network of CI Coaches across our business functions and provide consultative input on improvement projects and initiatives through coaching and supporting DBS enabling functions. 
The role reports directly into the CI Lead role and you will be expected to take responsibility for designing and delivering a wide range of CI tools and techniques which will involve strong engagement and communication skills. The role requires you to be adept in stakeholder engagement as you will need to build a strong rapport and effective relationships across DBS and with Senior Leadership Teams.

Lean Six Sigma accreditation (Green Belt) is desirable but not essential as training will be given – however, a willingness to work towards accreditation is essential.

Specific responsibilities include:

•    Coaching staff and Managers in Continuous Improvement, with focus on behaviours and routines, and organisational development in line with the DBS Business Plan.
•    Supporting CI activity in line with the priorities set out within the business function and on approved CI Commissions prioritised by CIIB.
•    Leading on product development of Level 1 CI training material, the in-house delivery, scheduling, and roll out of the skills programme across DBS.
•    Being an active and constructive member of the DBS CI Network: sharing good practice, upskilling colleagues, challenging, supporting and shaping the direction of Continuous Improvement in DBS.
•    Facilitating and presenting at CI Network events that bring the community together. Chairing a series of CI Network meetings as part of the ongoing cycle of engagement.
•    Developing and producing relevant CI Communications and messages for DBS-wide roll out and maintaining our CI site on MyDBSHub. 
•    Being collaborative and actively involved in supporting and contributing to sustaining our CSE Accreditation by providing evidence including case studies towards sustaining this.
•    Being a focal point for local “CI Champions” and (in partnership with other coaches where appropriate) take the lead in building an effective and enthusiastic network who add real value to the organisation.
•    As a CI Business Buddy engage with your designated DBS Area to, get closer to local improvements, gather updates for the Continuous Improvement Innovation Board and be a focal point for CI.
•    Maintaining your own continuous professional development to retain expert status.

– This role is office based however, DBS are working hard to improve our access to, and use of, digital technology, empowering our people to work remotely.
This post is advertised at  37 hours per week.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

•    An environment with flexible working options Monday-Friday 
•    25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service (pro rata). In additional to 8 public holidays per year, you will also receive leave for HM The King’s birthday
•    Hybrid working where role permits
•    An opportunity to be considered for Reward & Recognition- £250-£5000 per year. 
•    Family-friendly policies including- parental leave and adoption leave
•    Learning and development tailored to your role
•    Professional and personal development of skills
•    A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
•    Minimum of 15 days special leave in a rolling 12 month period for volunteer reserve commitments
•    Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days per year

The post does not offer relocation expenses.
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.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Job contact :

• Name : Fiona Leslie
• Email : Fiona.Leslie970@mod.gov.uk
• Telephone : 03001611674

Recruitment team

• Email : DBS-EnhancedRecruitmentTeam@MOD.gov.uk