Head of Special Operations

London

This is an exciting, challenging and fascinating role in the National Security Directorate of the Ministry of Defence. The National Security Directorate sits within the MOD’s Security Policy and Operations (SPO) area, a military/civilian organisation where strategic policy and plans are formulated, working closely with the Permanent Joint Headquarters and Defence Intelligence.

This post is a vital part of the oversight and management of UK Special Forces, responsible for advising Defence Ministers on some of the most sensitive operational activity conducted by the Armed Forces. It offers the opportunity to be part of the senior national security decision-making architecture in Government. You will work with a pool of talented colleagues and will be part of the senior leadership cadre of SPO, with opportunities to assist during crises and to work across SPO to ensure we deliver a first-class service.

Special operations are military activities that involve the highest levels of political, legal and military risk in support of the UK’s national security objectives. They include the activities of UK Special Forces (UKSF) as well as other areas of the UK’s Armed Forces, and cover a range of threats from terrorist to state adversaries. The Head of Special Operations is responsible for providing comprehensive advice to Defence Ministers on all Special Operations activity. It offers a rare opportunity to influence national security decision-making at the highest levels and have a genuine impact on how Defence uses some of its most highly trained and skilled forces in pursuit of national endeavours.

The current responsibilities of the role include:

• Advising Ministers on the employment of UK Special Forces and other special activities.
• Representing Special Operations across Government and with other agencies to ensure activity is coherent with wider Government strategy. 
• Advising on MOD’s programme to evolve Special Operations capability.
• Overall lead for the disclosure and management of information related to UK Special Forces.
• Leadership and management of a mixed civilian and military team of around 20 staff.

To be successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their experience and skills against the following essential criteria:

• Strong corporate leadership skills, with leadership strength in a complex and dynamic environment, and an ability to inspire, engage and motivate a diverse team.
• An excellent track record of strategic thinking, and experience of translating strategy and policy into successful delivery.
• A proactive, driven and energetic problem solver, focused on delivery outcomes.
• Outstanding policy professional with a range of policy experience.
• Highly developed political nous, and personal gravitas coupled with excellent oral communication skills with a proven ability to present complex issues simply and effectively.
• Finely tuned judgement with highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills, and a proven ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a strong field of candidates when there is a need to distinguish between candidates. This will be as a second sift, after the essential criteria has been considered:

• Knowledge and experience of working in or with Defence.
• Knowledge and experience of operational policy.

• 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%

This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration
is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them
to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through
building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above.
This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions.
Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and
conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your
personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any
absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you
to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Open to UK nationals only.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

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Job contact :

• Name : SCS Recruitment Team
• Email : People-CivHR-SCSCandidateSupport@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : People-CivHR-SCSRecruitment@mod.gov.uk