Defence Business Services (DBS)- Medical Adviser

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 our customers and UK 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 existing 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 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 and employees relocating in the North West. DBS also supports Flexible Working, which can be discussed in more detail at interview.

What do the Armed Forces & Veterans Services (AF&VS) Team do?

This Team work with delivery partners to provide a range of trusted and efficient services to both service personnel and Veterans’ communities. For current serving members of the Armed Forces this includes:  

• Personnel support processes;
• Pay, Pensions & Allowances;
• The Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre; and,
• The MOD Medals Office.

For service Veterans and their dependants we provide support by administering the Armed Forces Pension Schemes, compensation payments for those injured or bereaved through service, and providing a package of welfare for Veterans. We also provide information and support to service leavers and their families as they leave the Armed Forces and transition to civilian life.

We also manage the Ilford Park nursing home for Polish Veterans and their families.

The positions are advertised at 37 hour per week full time. Part time positions are available.

We have an exciting opportunity for 3 Grade 6 medical advisors to work for Veterans UK. The purpose of this role is to provide accurate verbal and written medical advice and statutory certification in respect of claims, reviews and appeals for the War Pension Scheme and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. No prior knowledge of the compensation scheme/s is required.

The role can be office based with some homeworking and requires no clinical contact with those applying for the schemes. The successful candidate will annually undertake continuous professional development activity to keep knowledge in medicine and legislation up to date. They will also support operational delivery by demonstrating an understanding of key performance indicators and business pressures.

The compensation schemes are no-fault and, for both schemes, Medical Advisers give case-specific, evidence-based advice and certificates on causation and assessment and provide reasons for decisions.

DBS Medical Advisers are not involved in the clinical diagnosis, care or treatment of War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme claimants. The Medical Adviser’s role is to provide advice and guidance based upon pre-existing medical evidence which is used to determine the level of disablement in accordance with the relevant scheme rules.

The chosen candidates will have highly effective written and oral communications with an ability to develop effective rapport with colleagues at all levels. They should have a broad-based medical knowledge.

They will have an acceptable level of IT skills to include using e-mail, Excel and Word.

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

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership

• 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 addition to 8 public holidays per year, you will also receive leave for the King’s birthday
• A Civil Service pension with generous employer pension contributions of approx. 27% depending on your salary
• Hybrid working, where role permits
• Family friendly policies including- enhanced parental leave and adoption leave
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• 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 : Suzanne King
• Email : Suzanne.King603@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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