Defence Children Services (DCS) Information Systems Engineer – Army

Are you a creative, self-motivated individual looking to make a difference and support a team around the world? Then this role may be for you!

Defence Children Services is looking for an Information Systems Engineer HQ UK to work collaboratively and creatively with the wider ICT Team, providing high quality, customer focused ICT system support primarily to users in UK, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and other locations when required.

Defence Children Services (DCS) is a Defence delivery organisation, subordinated under Army Regional Command. HQ DCS is UK based at Trenchard Lines, Upavon and has forward deployed staff all over the world. DCS is responsible for the education and care of children of accompanied Service and Defence entitled personnel in MOD schools and settings; provides advice and guidance in respect of education for service families in the United Kingdom and the wider world.

Our Vision is that we Educate the Child – Support the Family – Defend the Nation.

The DCS ICT Systems and Strategy (DCS-SIS-ICTSS) team are in Upavon, SHAPE and Cyprus and led by the SO1 ICT (Systems & Strategy). The team provides technical and advisory support to schools, settings, and Headquarters users; and manage the network and server capabilities for the MOD Schools Network. 

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Please read our Candidate Information Pack to read about what we do and for more detail on the role.

The main responsibilities include:

• Respond to and resolve incidents reported via agreed procedures, detailing progress & updating resolutions on the Service desk.
• Providing high quality on-site technical support to all staff and pupils accessing the MOD Schools ICT system.
• Ensuring the printing, file storage, patching and all other services are maintained to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of ICT services for all schools and HQs.
• Installing hardware, software, active network upgrades and technical refreshes to operating systems and applications.
• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with key service stakeholders and users to help understand their business requirements and priorities.
• Provide advice on all IT matters to school staff.
• Provide technical advice to project teams within DCS
• Writing, managing and auditing user documentation, including knowledge bases and configuration design documentation. Peer review of locally authored user documentation.
• Carry out regular reviews of existing processes and procedures, leading improvement when required.
• Ensure that all DCS ICT systems within their AOR are compliant with the appropriate data handling security standards for the processing, storage and distribution of information.
• Be a member of the technical change management board to ensure system change is managed and released in accordance with ITIL V 4 change enablement best practice.

To be successful in this role you will require the following qualification:

• A relevant IT Service Management qualification such as ITIL V4 Foundation Certification in Service Management.

To be successful in this role you will require the following essential knowledge and experience:

• Evidence of excellent and broad, practical and theoretical knowledge of Information and Communication Technology; architecture, installation and administration.
• A firm in depth understanding of IT technologies including but not limited to; Office Productivity, Microsoft based operating systems and applications such as Server 2019 and above, Windows 10, Office 2019/Office Online; Firewalls, Switch configurations, Anti Malware solutions, Active Directory, wireless and wired Networking, TCP/IP stack, Mobile Device Management systems.
• An understanding of Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and project management methodology
• An in-depth knowledge of ICT systems management and working in an Active Directory environment.
• Practical hands-on experience with computer networks, active networking components and system administration.
• Knowledge and experience of software testing and integration.
• Knowledge and experience of working with partner organisations in the delivery of objectives.
• Evidence of commitment to roles undertaken and ownership of the outcomes achieved.
• Experience of using Microsoft Office applications and the competence to exploit the full potential of Microsoft 365.
• An understanding of the DCS context and the ability to perform effectively within a team committed to a strong vision for service quality and continuous service improvement.
• Evidence of the following functional skills: Change control, Incident management, Information security, Network support, Security operations, and Storage Management

Personal Qualities:

The Information Systems Engineer HQ UK will possess excellent communication skills and be able to develop and maintain a good working relationship with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.  They will adopt an innovative and flexible approach to solving problems, be a self-motivator who can demonstrate initiative and be able to manage to strict and demanding deadlines. They will have high standards of professional integrity, be resilient, determined, confident and energetic. They will be committed to the delivery of excellent customer service, with the ability to adapt the approach as the situation demands and be able to develop a knowledge of a range of subjects.

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

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

• Change Management
• Incident Management

We are passionate about delivering extraordinary things for our people. We also know you will have a life outside of work; we respect your priorities, and we are committed to flexible working opportunities to give you freedom to balance work and life.

We employ people who challenge and guide each other, working within a highly capable team who will support you to develop your skills and experience. Some of the many benefits you will receive include:

• Learning and Development opportunities for professional and personal development of skills
• Flexible working practices
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• Opportunities to undertake apprenticeships
• Highly competitive Civil Service pension scheme – further details can be found at www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk
• Hybrid working is encouraged, with working arrangements agreed between individuals and managers that contribute towards positive work/life balance and wellbeing.
• Free on-site parking
• On-site Gym

This post provides the opportunity to develop continuous improvement skills and Civil Service behaviours within an organisation with Defence wide responsibilities.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

This post does not offer assistance with relocation allowances.

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.

Discover My Benefits

Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD.

https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/

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 by 31st December 2022. 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.

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.

Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

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/.

Job contact :

• Name : Ian Graham, Senior Systems Engineer RoW
• Email : Ian.graham@modschools.org

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk