Acquisition Safety Assurance & Governance Officer

Job summary

The MOD Saudi Armed Forces Projects (MODSAP) is a unique and exciting environment in which to work, and forms a crucial part of the strategic defence relationship between the UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

You will be joining MODSAP at a key juncture in the UK-Saudi relationship; with Saudi Arabia undertaking an unprecedented programme of societal reforms, while facing continuing challenges to regional and national security. Meanwhile the Prime Minister and UK MOD are focused on ensuring that our future security and prosperity interests in Saudi Arabia remain substantial.

The UK has a longstanding bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia which currently accounts for over a third of all defence exports from the UK, with MODSAP playing a key role overseeing delivery of services worth billions of pounds to the UK economy. The scope of Equipment, Materiel and Services (EMS) in the portfolio is predominantly related to the Air domain with Typhoon, Tornado, and Hawk platforms. In addition, the portfolio also includes Naval EMS and civil construction projects. Geographically the MODSAP team is dispersed across multiple locations in Saudi Arabia and the UK. It is a large, challenging and complex portfolio, with a well-established legacy – it is essential that we build on this to maximise future opportunities within the defence and security relationship of both countries.

You will be supported by a diverse and high performing team, supported by a senior management team who are committed to developing MODSAP as a great place to work, where staff are respected, valued and fairly rewarded for their contribution to the successful achievement of our common mission, where we also seek to nurture your skill set, expanding it where possible and broadening your horizons for the future.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

As the Higher Executive Officer (HEO) for Acquisition Safety Assurance & Governance (SA&G), within the Quality, Safety Assurance & Governance (QSA&G) team, you will play a key role in supporting the coordination and implementation of effective assurance and monitoring (A&M) of Equipment, Materiel and Services (EMS) provided under contract by the Prime Contractor, BAE Systems Saudi Arabia (BAESSA) for the MODSAP portfolio.

This will involve:

• Supporting standardisation management activity, allocation and management of Defence Standards, ensuring management of system requirements and through life sustainability.
• Supporting the safety assurance of equipment, materiel, and services.
• Monitoring and reporting on contract compliance with MODSAP’s System Safety and Quality assurance requirements.
• Assisting with Quality Audit, Assurance, and Governance activities to ensure the delivery of safe and effective capabilities.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Senior Executive Officer (SEO), KSA based, in delivering MODSAP’s Safety Assurance & Governance Framework, reporting to senior leadership.
• Guide and assist Safety Assurance Officers (SAOs) in monitoring the Prime Contractor’s (PC) Safety & Environmental Management System (SEMS).
• Engage with SAOs and PC staff to monitor and report on SEMS performance.
• Manage the Engineering Delivery Partner (EDP) contract, including liaising with the QinetiQ Project Manager, overseeing Independent Safety Advisor (ISA) allocation, and managing budgets.
• Maintain and update Safety Assurance & Governance documentation, including the Safety Assurance & Monitoring Plan (SAMP).
• Lead internal change initiatives to enhance the SA&G framework.
• Act as secretary for key Pan-Platform System Safety forums and meetings at 1* and 2* level, in collaboration with SEO SA&G.
• Host senior PC and Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) representatives during UK visits.
• Advise the Programmes Team on identifying appropriate technical Safety and Environmental standards and requirements.
• Supporting standardisation management activity, allocation and management of Def Stans, ensuring management of system requirements and through life sustainability.
• Support second-party safety audits and assurance activities to assess performance and identify risks.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work across a diverse portfolio of platforms and domains, develop Government Quality Assurance accreditation, while supporting the delivery of critical safety and quality assurance activities. MODSAP is committed to supporting your professional development and career aspirations, providing opportunities to expand your skills and expertise within the QSA&G team.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience working in a project and assurance organisation with the aptitude to be developed into a System Safety ‘Supervised Practitioner’ and P3M ‘Competent’ professional.
• System Safety Awareness.
• Risk Management Awareness.
• Proficiency in using standard office software, in particular MS Excel.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills, delivering to a level to communicate with senior leadership.

Desirable Criteria:

• Previous experience working in a System Safety or Quality Assurance team.
• System Safety and Environmental Management Practitioner experience.
• Quality Assurance and Management System experience.
• Project Management experience.
• Professional Registration in a related field.

Licences

Full UK Driving Licence

Qualifications

Essential:
•Minimum Level 4: Higher National Certificates (HNC), Level 4 NVQs, Higher Apprenticeships, or equivalent qualification.
Desirable:
•UK MOD System Safety and Environmental Management Practitioner qualified.
•Government Quality Assurance Representative licensed or partial.
•APM APMP/PMQ or related Project Management qualification.
•Professional Registration in Engineering (e.g. IEng).
•ISO 9001:2015 Auditor.

Evidence of essential qualifications and licenses will be required at interview.

All qualifications/licences declared must be held at point of application and if applicable be in date. Candidates must provide their Civil Service substantive grade during the application process (AA, AO, EO, HEO, SEO, Grade 7, Grade 6, SCS). Local departmental grades should not be used unless you are a member a Non-Standard Occupational Group (NSOG), please provide your current NSOG Grade if so. Failure to do so may result in your application not being put forward for sift. Questions about Civil Service grades or equivalents should be directed to your local HR department.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Leadership

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• System Safety Functional Competencies Framework, Principles of System Safety Management, SysSaf 2 – Complies with the principles of System Safety management. Awareness Level.
• Portfolio Programme Project Management Framework, P3M12: Risk, Opportunity and Issue Management. Level 2 ‘Practised’.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 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%

Please Note:

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements 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.
• 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 Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Candidates will also be required to provide a statement of suitability. (750 words)

At sift, you will be assessed on your CV and statement of suitability.

Applications will be sifted on all Success Profile elements, but in the event of a high number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted on your CV/Personal Statement. Candidates successful at sift stage will be invited to interview.

At interview, you will be assessed on:

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Leadership

Technical Skills

• System Safety Functional Competencies Framework, Principles of System Safety Management, SysSaf 2 – Complies with the principles of System Safety management. Awareness Level.
• Portfolio Programme Project Management Framework, P3M12: Risk, Opportunity and Issue Management. Level 2 ‘Practised’.

Further Information:

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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 : Thomas Robinson
• Email : thomas.robinson118@mod.gov.uk
• Telephone : +966564077628

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.

Attachments

Candidate Information Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)Portfolio, Programme and Project Management (P3M) Professional Competence Framework Opens in new window (pdf, 1315kB)System Safety Functional Competence Framework Opens in new window (pdf, 148kB)Defence Civil Servant Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)