Overview

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 ensuring you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently. There is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week) to support face-to-face working, especially for new joiners.

Within the Ministry of Defence, the Army is a major part of the organisation, employing around 12,000 Civil Servants located at over 300 locations and supporting the 110K regular and reserve soldiers across the Army. The Civil Service workforce is diverse, with many different functions and professions ranging from police officers, security guards, trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff.

About the role

The 3rd (UK) Division is looking for a Civilian Workforce Services Higher Executive Officer (HEO) to join the Divisional Headquarters. You will work alongside a diverse team and will include line management of one other civil servant. The Division HQ comprises Civil Servants, military service personnel and contractors. This role supports the Business in delivering an affordable and efficient workforce. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Responsibilities

You will be the focal point for civilian workforce services within 3rd (UK) Division, supporting the Business holder in delivering an affordable, efficient workforce structure to subordinate formations within the Field Army. You will manage the workflow and team members in the Workforce Services team and provide assurance and oversight of policy and process, governance, analysis and management information to enable effective management of the non-military workforce by commanders and line managers at all levels across the business area.

Your key roles and responsibilities will be:

• Be the lead for all non-military workforce resourcing matters:
  • Responsible for managing the delivery / application of workforce controls
  • Responsible for identifying/advising on the most appropriate means of filling funded vacant positions
  • Responsible for oversight of Civil Service Recruitment activity by line managers
  • Responsible for oversight of displaced staff across the business area, ensuring correct and timely actions by line managers
  • Provide advice and guidance to line managers for changes to individual terms and conditions, including changes to conditioned hours or location, and for temporary arrangements such as temporary promotion, expressions of interest, loans or secondments
  • Responsible for processing and obtaining authority for Contingent Labour applications raised within the business area, to include fee earners, professional services, consultancy services and ensuring the appropriate External Assistance governance framework is met
• Lead on Civil Service Workforce communication and engagement activity:
  • Work in partnership with stakeholders to support business area change programmes and initiatives
  • Coordinate and enable the delivery of People Survey across the business area, providing analysis and recommendations in response to the survey, and working with stakeholders to deliver action plans and to formulate additional SMART action plans specific to business area /lower formation needs
  • Maintain positive Trade Union relationships in partnership with stakeholders
  • Champion and lead health, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion initiatives across the business area, supporting line management and enhancing capability
  • Educate the civilian workforce and line managers on business processes / policy
• Lead on Civil Service Reward and Recognition activity:
  • Co-ordination and monitoring of the 'Thank You Scheme' award nominations / budget
  • Co-ordination and monitoring of 'In-Year Reward Scheme' (IYRS) across 3 UK(Div); oversight of the budget for IYRS awards; and directly support Panels as an adviser and Approving Authority
  • Ensure the Civil Service total reward package is understood and promoted across the business
• Lead and champion learning and development opportunities for the Civil Service Workforce:
  • Identify and manage opportunities for apprenticeships and wider development activity
  • Support the identification and development of talent across the business area
• Work with stakeholders in workforce management activities including delivery of change:
  • Proactively cleanse the HR Database, monitor workforce baseline(s)
  • Lead on assurance and compliance activity against Civ HR Policies
  • Lead on assurance of civilian workforce pay allowance and claims
  • Lead on activity to support conduct and behaviour / redundancy mitigation / casework
  • Support the production and delivery of Strategic Workforce Plans
  • Provide support with the delivery of workforce management activities / initiatives
• Line management:
  • Leadership, functional development and management of a full time Executive Officer

Behaviours and assessment

We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Leadership

Evidence of these behaviours should be provided on your application form. You will also be assessed against the following behaviours at interview: Changing and Improving, Leadership. You will be asked experience-based questions.

Application process

At application you will be asked to provide a CV detailing job history, qualification details and a personal statement of no more than 500 words evidencing your suitability for the role against the person specification. You may be assessed on the evidence you provide in support of the Changing and Improving Behaviour. Your Personal Statement, CV, and certain behaviours will be reviewed if you are successful at the initial sift. Application sifting will be scheduled within 7 days of the closing date. Interviews will be held in person at Picton Barracks and dates will be confirmed in due course.

Notes for applicants

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however all examples and statements provided must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Plagiarism may lead to withdrawal of your application. See candidate guidance for more information.

Diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We operate a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and offer redeployment interviews to civil servants at risk of redundancy.

Security and nationality

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet security requirements. Nationality requirements apply as listed, including eligibility criteria under the EU Settlement Scheme. See the full details in the posting.

Other information

Other benefits for Army civil servants include: 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 5 years, a defined benefit pension scheme, development opportunities, and flexible working options. Some notes: relocation expenses are not offered; a six-month probation may apply to external recruits; travel expenses to interviews are not reimbursed; some pay allowances may be under review; transferring from another employer may affect access to childcare vouchers. The MOD has a Smoke-Free Working Environment policy. This role is not sponsorable for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system.

Contact and guidance

Disability adjustments and further recruitment guidance can be requested via the candidate resources provided in the posting. For adjustments in the recruitment process, contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk