Defence Business Services (DBS) – Apprentice Management Office Scheme Manager

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! 

The position advertised is part time hours (20 hours) on a permanent basis.

The Apprentice Management Office (AMO) is responsible for supporting central government targets to increase the overall number of apprentices within the Ministry of Defence (MOD). An amendment to the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 was passed through Parliament which imposes a legislative target on public sector bodies to have 2.3% of their workforce in England as apprenticeship starts every year. For the MOD, based on the size of the existing workforce, the 2.3% target translates into approximately 1000 apprentices each year. The role involves working with HR colleagues in London, Heads of Professions, MOD Depts, Apprenticeship Providers and Apprentices in order to meet annual targets.

Main responsibility:

•    The management of apprentice schemes across MOD.
•    Conduct the sifting process of applications for those schemes for which responsibility is held.
•    Seek endorsement from Top Level Budgets (TLBs) Focal Points on the successful applicants.
•    Ensure all appointment action is taken for successful applicants.
•    Support and advise individual apprentices and their line managers on issues arising from the apprenticeship.
•    Initiate termination of individuals from the schemes if required.
•    Initiate and maintain sound working relationships with the Learning Providers for the schemes which responsibility is held.
•    Attend relationship meetings with Learning Providers.
•    Ensure that all data required from all other Scheme Managers in MOD Main, DE&S, Trading Funds and Agencies is correct, compliant and returned to allow for response to the Cabinet Office.

MOD are setting the expectation that all office-based civil servants will be required to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office or out on official business.

Essential Experience:

• Experience of operational delivery working in a high volume, fast paced environment.

• Ability to balance competing stakeholder interests, evidence of having developed strong and sustainable business relationships with service users and the ability to engage at all levels.

• Effective data management and analysis, maintaining accurate records and providing meaningful management reports.

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

• Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

•    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 : Nadine Mackenzie
• Email : Nadine.Mackenzie102@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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