Army HEO Ceremonial Policy and Service Awards

Contents

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

City of Westminster, London (region), SW1A 2HB

About the job

Job summary

The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army. 

‘Learning from the Past, guidance for the Future’. PS12 is the Army lead, Tri-Service focal point for all ceremonial activity and ceremonial dress related issues. A member of a small but niche section, the successful candidate will develop an expertise in Army ceremonial procedure, honours and dress and build close links with the many tri-service and cross government stakeholders in related areas to become the Army Subject Matter Expert (SME) and policy adviser on all issues relating to Army medals and awards, ceremonial dress and accoutrements.

Alongside PS12 colleagues, through detailed staff and committee work and varied methods of communication, they will help the Army maintain the right range of ceremonial activity and selection of uniforms, dress and accoutrements to sustain confidence, morale and it’s reputation for excellence into the future.

The position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity 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. However, recognising the benefits of face-to-face working, especially for new joiners, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week). Usually this will be at MOD Main Building – where PS12 is based – but there is scope to work at Camberley (HQ Arms & Services) or other main Army HQ locations as required.

Job description

Key areas of responsibility:

1. Secretary of the Army Medal Board (AMB), resolving appeals from Army Service Personnel (SP) for all service awards including Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (LS&GCM), Voluntary Reserve Service Medal (VRSM) and the Cadet Forces medal. Staffing award forfeiture and restoration applications. Army focal point for nominations for Military Service Medal (MSM) twice annually.
2. Secretary for the Army Dress Committee (ADC), organising ADC meetings as well as distributing and maintaining records of decisions taken on changes to Army dress; revising, maintaining, and updating Army Dress Regulations.
3. Project Manager for the conversion of Army dress to the new Sovereign’s crown and cypher (Project TUDOR) as well as being the requirements manager or equipment sponsor for a range of Army accoutrements.
4. Tri-Service policy focal point for the flag and national saluting protocols including gun salutes.
5. Focal point for actioning and responding to Parliamentary Questions (PQs), Freedom of Information Act (FOI) requests and other requests for information (RFIs) on all subjects pertaining to Army honours and ceremonial dress, accoutrements and procedures.
6. Author and sponsor for PS12 lead Army General Administrative Instructions (AGAIs) and elements of Kings Regulations (Army).
7. Advice and support to Defence Major Events including Op BRIDGES.

8. Line manage PS12 administrative staff, act as the main business continuity lead for all PS12 duties and deputise for SO1 PS12 as required

Person specification

Essential Criteria

To be self-motivated, highly organised and co-ordinate activity to enable effective working across the team, deputising for the Regimental Secretary as required. 

You will have excellent communication skills and be confident engaging at all levels of seniority, including military, civilian, across government and The Royal Household.

You are reactive to changing circumstances and calmly, effectively lead and prioritise a fast-paced workload with minimal direction. 

To be IT literate – a familiarity with Office 365 systems is beneficial. 

Desirable

Candidates should understand the Army’s historical and current, operational, and Regimental structure as well as the uniform each Regiment and Corps wears and the occasions it is worn. 

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,290, Ministry of Defence contributes £9,528 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 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
• 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
• 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.

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.

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 : Lt Col S Soskin – SO1 PS12
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

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:

[email protected].

Read Full Description