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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
We are seeking Policy Advisors within the Security Policy and Operations (SPO) area of the Ministry of Defence Head Office. SPO is the part of the Ministry of Defence that provides both policy advice to Ministers on security and operational matters and strategic direction to our Armed Forces.
The roles provide vital contributions to SPO output, and are an integral part of our policy teams, linking with colleagues across Whitehall to ensure consistency with the National Security Strategy and working alongside military colleagues to deliver policy and military advice to Ministers.
These positions are advertised at 37 hours per week. Regular attendance in MOD Main Building in London will be required, with some home working possible.
About Security Policy and Operations (SPO)
The MODs key responsibility is to protect the security, independence, and interests of the UK, at home and abroad. SPO is central to delivering this. The SPO Headquarters organisation consists of around 700 civilian and military staff.
SPO officials work directly with Ministers to define the objectives and context for military operations by the UKs Armed Forces. SPO delivers advice and direction as a combined Department of State and Military Headquarters. It shapes Defence relations with other nations and international security organisations. It leads the MODs counter-terrorism policy and Defences contribution to UK security policy, working with Government colleagues to implement it. In all these areas, we ensure the MOD is accountable to Parliament and the public.
Job description
Job summary Desk Officer: Iran Campaign (Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories), Iraq, Qatar and one other.
The SEO/C1 Desk Officer is responsible for developing Defence policy and maintaining the UKs Defence relationship with the region. The successful candidate will provide oversight of the Defence engagement programmes in country, build robust relationships with the Defence Section and cross-Whitehall stakeholders, and deliver high quality products for senior officials and Ministers.
Job Description
This is an exciting opportunity to work within the recently established Iran Campaign team or Middle East Policy Team in Security Policy and Operations.
There are three key aspects to this role:
– You will be responsible for UK Defence policy and strategy towards the region. This will include working with cross-HMG and Defence stakeholders to develop and align Defences regional and country strategies, develop policy, draft submissions and provide briefings to Senior Officials and Ministers.
– You will manage the UKs bilateral defence relationship with the country/countries. This includes working with their Ministry of Defence/Armed Forces in country (via the Defence Section in the British Embassy), liaising with the relevant Embassy in London, and organising Senior and High-Level Engagement meetings and calls.
– You will oversee and enable operational activity by supporting the Defence Section to develop and deliver defence engagement programmes.
These are high profile and demanding roles, where you would quickly become Defences Subject Matter Expert on the region. You will be fully supported by the team, and empowered to set your priorities, build relationships, and manage expectations.
The Israel and Iraq Desk Officers will hold Line Management responsibilities for the HEO/C2 Desk Officer to Lebanon or Syria. We also hope to provide opportunities for travel to the region.
Person specification
We are interested in candidates with an interest in/experience of:
- Working in an international policy environment.
- Working in a team to deliver business priorities.
- Briefing Ministers and/or senior officials
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£11,485 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
The post does not offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non Standard move applicants will be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility.
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 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 however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. 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.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
Applicants will also need to:
- Complete an online CV template to include job history, education and qualifications, and previous experience and skills.
- Provide a personal suitability statement of 500 words on how they meet the essential / desirable criteria, why they are interested in the position, and what skills and strengths they would bring to the team.
Should we receive a large number of applications for this vacancy, sifting will be conducted on the following behaviour:
At interview, applicants will be asked behaviours and strengths-based questions, focused on the below:
Behaviours (a selection of the below):
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
Strengths:
- Relationship builder
- Strategic
Additional Details
Due to the nature of the roles, these are reserved posts (i.e. can only be held by a UK national), for which DV security clearance is required. These are permanent appointments based in London. You will need to work in MOD Main Building on a frequent basis, although the roles cater for a combination of office and homeworking (see below). You may be required to provide duty cover out of hours and at weekends in response to crises or international events.
Inclusivity & Flexibility
We want our team to be able to balance home and work responsibilities. Many of our team members already work flexibly through hybrid working (blend of office based and home working), compressed hours and part time patterns. We fully recognise the benefits that flexible working brings to the organisation in terms of improved morale, increased productivity and the general wellbeing of the team. Roles can be considered on flexible / full time / part time / job share basis. However, due to the nature of SPO outputs, some roles may not be deliverable via all working patterns.
Reserve list
Strong candidates if unsuccessful for these posts may still be considered for other similar roles. A reserve list will be held for 12 months and reserve candidates may be contacted about similar roles during this time. If any applicant is not found appointable at the advertised grade, but the panel considers them suitable for a similar role at a lower grade, they may be asked if they wish to be added to a reserve list for roles that may become available in the organisation at the lower grade.
Salary and Allowances
The salary for these positions is £42,540(min) – £46,790 (max). If you are not in receipt of Civil Service pay exceeding the minimum amount, you will be in receipt of that minimum amount on commencement of this role. London based staff are also entitled to £3,000 London weighting (LW). This is an allowance and is not included in the initial salary.
These posts are permanently located in MOD Main Building in Westminster, London. Following COVID-19, the majority of our people are working in a hybrid arrangement, combining office and home working. All working arrangements are subject to business need and the level of flexibility will vary from role to role. We expect hybrid working to remain part of our future way of working, however these roles are permanently based in London (MOD Main Building) and you must be available for regular attendance in the building in accordance with business requirements. The post does NOT offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non-Standard move applicants may be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility. 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.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.
The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Rebecca Evans
- Email : rebecca.evans845@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
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