Administrative Officer, No.1 Radio School, RAF Cosford

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

RAF Cosford, Albrighton, Wolverhampton.

About the job

Job summary

Number 1 Radio School (No.1 RS) is the home of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) technical training for Royal Air Force (RAF) officers and aviators within the Service’s Cyberspace Profession.

Structured under the Defence School of Communications & Information Systems (DSCIS) within the Defence College of Technical Training (DCTT), No.1 RS is a venerable and historic military training institution whose origins in the field of communications training can be traced back in excess of 100 years. 

As the School embarks-upon a second century of excellence, its ‘whole force’ military/Civil Service workforce blend are pivotal in the development of ICT training delivery to meet the significant demands of information-centric 5th generation RAF platforms and capabilities. In doing so, their approach and dedication to public service remains fully commensurate with No.1 RS’ legendary motto: Thorough.

No.1 RS trains officers, aviators, soldiers and sailors in cyberspace capabilities at RAF Cosford and RAF Digby. Each year, No.1 RS typically develops 1300 Phase 3 (pre-employment / career) students and 300 Phase 2 (initial technical training) trainees, in addition to providing a foundation degree-level curriculum.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join No.1 RS at a decisive juncture in the school’s evolution. There is currently a vacancy for an Administrative Officer (AO) in the Support Flight team.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Reporting to the No.1 RS Admin Manager, the successful candidate will work as a key member of the Support Flight team – providing appropriate, relevant, efficient and timely admin support to all Service / Civilian staff and Phase 2 / Phase 3 trainees. 

Role responsibilities include:

• Co-ordination and assurance of student/trainee pre-arrival, arrival, and departure activities.
• Production and distribution of course Joining Instructions.
• Handling administrative duties for students/trainees enrolled on courses at short notice.
• Population of student/trainee data on the School’s Training Management Information System (TMIS).
• Progression of accommodation arrangements for students/trainees with onsite and offsite requirements.
• Development and maintenance of archives pertaining to Phase 3 training.
• Facilitation of IT account and Virtual Learning Environment access permissions for students/trainees.
• Creation of TMIS documentation and reports as required.
• Reviewing of Training Task Programmes and identification of resultant impact upon Phase 3 courses.
• Assisting colleagues with routine office clerical tasks as required – managing questions and queries, co-ordinating follow-up actions, ordering/collecting stationary and issuing materials.

Duties and responsibilities to be undertaken by the admin team can vary under the direction of the Admin Manager, dependent on current and evolving working models. Therefore, the successful candidate will need to have a flexible approach and agility to adapt to changing requirements.

Additionally, the successful candidate may be required to deputise for the No.1 RS Admin Manager during periods of absence.

Person specification

The successful candidate will have a major impact on ensuring school performance outputs are recorded and achieved.

Within their application candidates must clearly articulate their experience against the following selection criteria:

Essential – the following knowledge, skills and experience:

• Previous experience in the provision of effective business critical administrative services.
• Experience in utilising digital technologies to achieve business critical outputs.

Desirable – the following knowledge, skills and experience:

• IT proficiency: a) Experience of using Microsoft Office products – such as Word, Excel, Outlook; b) A suitable associated qualification e.g. European Computer Driving License.
• Experience of using Management Information Systems (MIS – such as records databases or information tools) for the delivery of core business outputs.

The successful applicant will be required to complete MOD mandatory training and additional role-specific skills training, including TMIS and Virtual Learning Environment certification.

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £24,985, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,238 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 employer contribution of 28.97%
• 25 days paid annual leave rising to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service.
• In addition to 8 x Public Holidays per year, civil servants are also granted a privilege day for HM The King’s birthday.
• Access to RAF Cosford sport and leisure facilities, subject to completion of the local registration/induction process and payment of an annual fee.
• Free onsite car parking.
• Excellent road/rail links.
• Onsite cafe and retail facilities.

Please note: 

The Ministry of Defence offers a range of flexibilities to enable a better work-life balance for employees. Alternative Working Patterns, in accordance with policy, can be considered where it can be accommodated by the business, but there may be occasions when a presence on site during standard working hours may be required. All working patterns and flexibilities are subject to agreement with the Line Manager.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

Pensions: Superannuation will be in accordance with the CS Pension Scheme. You will be placed into the CS Pension arrangement (ALPHA).

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 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/.

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.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Ms Jennie Best, Admin Manager (POC for general enquiries about the position)
• Email : Jennie.Best114@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: , Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email:

info@csc.gov.uk.

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