Army Policy & Projects Officer

This post is based in Larkhill, Wiltshire. We believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the ability to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuing you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently. We expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation.

The role of the Royal Artillery is to Find and Strike at range, anywhere, in all weathers and at any time, to defeat the enemy.  The organisation consists of 21 Regular and Reserve units, which are based around the UK.   Regimental Headquarters Royal Artillery is the focus for all regimental policy and leads on personnel and workforce matters including recruiting and retention, all of which support the delivery of Military Capability.  It also coordinates matters related to heritage, commemoration, ethos and the welfare of our soldiers, their dependants and our veterans.  It is also the hub of our media and communications activities.  In directly delivering against these workforce-facing outputs, the post of Policy and Projects Officer directly contributes to the delivery of both Military Capability and Military Operations.  The post of Policy and Projects Officer will have responsibility for:  •            Maintaining and developing our policies.  You will provide advice and  guidance on all matters associated with Standing Orders at all levels within the organisation.    •            Ensuring that standing orders conform to Ministry of Defence (MOD) Policy Guidance and Direction,  collaborating with Army and MOD staff or other appropriate authorities as required.   This includes  providing advice on Ceremonial and Dress Policy.  •            Planning and delivering  a series of annual and ‘one off’ activities and events that both promote our heritage and commemoration, and provide engagement with the serving, retired and civilian communities, enhancing camaraderie across all cohorts and therefore also strengthening military capability.  •            As  Secretary of the regimental Sports Board, coordinating the arrangements for the funding of sports teams and sporting activities, making sport for all achievable, broadening teamwork opportunities and therefore directly contributing to the development of military capability.  •            As Secretary to the Heritage Committee, helping to evolve our heritage policy and governance and ensuring that our evolving story, of which we are very proud, is preserved for future generations as a source of strength and comradeship when on military operations, and thereby contributing to the delivery of military capability.  We hope that this role will appeal to an enthusiastic, dedicated individual who has a strong team ethos and a commitment to reinforcing critical, direct links between our unique heritage and traditions and the delivery of military capability on operations overseas and at home. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week

Primary Duties:

 Your primary duties are as follows:

 Act as custodian of our Standing Orders, advising the Regimental Colonel and other senior officers on detail and compliance with MOD and Army policy.    This includes:  organisation and governance; all elements of Royal Artillery dress, consulting with the Army Dress Committee as required; ceremonial matters, including participation in local and national events and commemorations;  regimental traditions and customs. When necessary, you will staff appropriate changes with the Regimental Colonel  and Royal Artillery Sergeant major. 

 Coordinate meetings of the Sports Board and maintain a record of all regimental sports teams contacts together with key achievements. 

 Collate and analyse sports teams reports and bids for the following year for regimental funds (circa £150k), providing a draft to the Sports Board for allocation.  You will monitor all regimental sporting expenditure and activity throughout the year at Royal Regimental and higher levels.  This includes the annual inter-regiment sports competition to identify the most successful regimental teams across a variety of sports.

 Plan and coordinate ceremonial activity within the Regiment, under the scrutiny  of the Master Gunner St James’s Park. Ensuring maximum exposure to both veterans and members of the civilian community.   This will require liaison with and provision of advice to local councils, the police and other relevant agencies.

 Coordinate the headquarters contribution to  Operation BRIDGE, which is the operation to provide military support to Royal funerals.

 In consultation with the Corps of Army Musicians, coordinate the provision of  musical support for internal and external events, including the provision of trumpeters to attend funerals of veterans in accordance with Ministry of Defence direction.

 Plan and coordinate specific events as required, to include, but not restricted to: Ceremony of Remembrance (Hyde Park); Hail and Farewell dinners; Boxing Championships; Festival of Sport; Sports Awards Dinner; Awards Dinner; Salisbury Sunset Ceremony and; St Barbara’s Day church service.

 Support the activities of various trusts, charities and societies in preserving and promoting our heritage.  This is likely to involve coordinating cross organisational cooperation and assisting in the running of various heritage events.

 As a member of the Personnel Management Board, provide advice on those areas covered in paras the above paragraphs.   

 Secondary Duties:

You may be required to take on additional responsibilities commensurate with your grade, as identified by the Head of Establishment.

You will need to be prepared to provide general advice on custom and practice and continuity across the organisation.

This is an ideal role for an individual who has or wishes to develop a keen interest in and an in- depth knowledge of our heritage, traditions and regimental affairs.   They will be in a position to help preserve our existing heritage and to create new policies and ways of doing business as the Regiment evolves to meet new challenges.  Detailed responsibilities are given in the job description.

 The successful candidate will be:

 Essential:

 An excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing.  Your writing style will need to adapt to conform to standard Service practices.

 Able to brief authoritatively and confidently on a wide range of policy matters as outlined in the Job Description, in order to be a credible internal and external representative for the headquarters and the Regiment.

 Able to demonstrate that they have successfully organised major public events and have an aptitude for stakeholder management.

A collegiate colleague who is willing to step outside their specified role and responsibilities, in order to help deliver outputs as part of the wider team.

 Experienced in using the Office 365 suite of software.

 Desirable:

 Able to demonstrate an appreciation of the Royal Artillery’s and wider Army heritage, ethos and traditions or a willingness to acquire that knowledge and understanding.

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

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

As a civil servant working alongside the Army, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects and a job that makes a difference.

The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other benefits for Army civil servants include: 

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Highly competitive pension scheme (typical employer contribution of 27%)
• Personal and professional development of skills
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities

 Within Larkhill, you will be able to use a range of facilities such as the gym / fitness suite and Saddle Club.  You will be eligible to join the Officers’ Mess, which organises social activities during the year.  During the working day you will have access to an onsite café serving light refreshments.

Learning and Development

 We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.

 A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career. Most of the training will be ‘on-the-job’, with the remaining ‘off-the-job’ training delivered by an external training provider. This means minimal disruption to your work alongside a big developmental opportunity.

 Professional qualifications which can be achieved through an apprenticeship range from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs/ broadly equivalent to Scottish National 5s(N5s)), Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Levels//broadly equivalent to Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher (H/AH)), and Levels 4 -7, which can give you a foundation degree, a full Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree. They normally last between 12 months – 3 years, depending on the level of the apprenticeship.

Anyone can undertake an Apprenticeship and everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from developing their skills in an accredited way.

Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.

 Discover my benefits– outlines the range of benefits available to MOD Civil Servants.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

 External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six month probation period.

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/.”

“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.

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.

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 : Matthew Carter
• Email : matthew.carter133@mod.gov.uk
• Telephone : 03001541168

Recruitment team

• Email : dbscivpers-resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk