Air and Space Warfare Centre Operational Analyst Space

Job summary

Do you want to support the Royal Air Force (RAF) – the air and space force of the Ministry of Defence?

The RAF’s success depends on their people – the Whole Force – regular and reservist military, civil servants, and contractors, all working as one, working together seamlessly. Civil servants are a central part of this Whole Force, undertaking essential work and contributing to the RAF’s mission and values. The role of civil servants in Defence is more vital than ever – now and for the future.

The Air and Space Warfare Centre (ASWC) Operational Research Branch (ORB) provides high quality, impartial and operationally focussed scientific, analytical and technical advice to enhance the warfighting capability of all elements of UK air space power. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled individual, with proven technical knowledge and analytical skills, to play a key role in supporting the RAF's front-line capability in current and future operations.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

6 Space Warfare Development Squadron (SWDS) is based within the Air and Space Warfare Centre at RAF Waddington and supports current and future operations by developing, testing and integrating space warfighting capability, tactics and readiness for the joint warfighter.

As the 6SWDS Senior Operational Analyst you will work alongside several military counterparts providing support to the squadron. Typical duties include:

• Lead the delivery of analytical support to No 6 SWDS and the wider ASWC, providing evidence-based advice to inform operational employment, capability development, tactics, techniques, procedures, concepts, and doctrine.
• Design, conduct, and assure analytical studies, operational assessments, and test and evaluation activities including methodology development, development of appropriate measures and metrics, data capture, analysis, reporting, and assurance.
• Develop, maintain, apply and assure modelling, simulation and analytical tools to support space operations, capability development, and decision making.
• Lead analytical support to exercises, wargames, and experimentation activities, identifying and communicating insights, lessons, and recommendations to improve operational effectiveness.
• Develop and sustain ASWC Space analytical capability through mentoring, training, knowledge management, lessons capture, and the development and maintenance of analytical tools, models, and methods.
• Engage and collaborate with Defence, industry, academia and international partners to access expertise, share analytical methods and evidence, and promote and advance ASWC Space analytical interests.

Person specification

A key role within 6 SWDS, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate consistent use of good scientific practice and appropriate analytical and statistical techniques to analyse problems and provide robust solutions to support decision making. They will have experience of technical evaluation and analysis, with the ability to clearly communicate analytical findings and results to both technical and non-technical audiences through a range of presentation methods.

The successful candidate will be self-motivated and show initiative in engaging with customers to understand their challenges, identify opportunities where analysis can add value, and develop analytical work to meet emerging needs.

As well as the provided training specific to the post, the successful candidate will have the opportunity via research, studies, and SME engagement, to further their understanding of key current and emerging Space related capabilities.

Experience – essential:

Experience of applying a range of scientific techniques (e.g. data analysis, computer modelling, etc.) to structure and analyse complex problems.

Experience of designing, conducting, and assuring analytical studies, assessments, or evaluations using relevant quantitative and/or qualitative techniques.

Experience of leading and coordinating analytical work to deliver high-quality outputs that meet customer needs.

Experience of clearly communicating analytical results to a range of technical and non-technical audiences, through technical reports and presentations.

Experience of working directly with customers to define analytical requirements and structure complex problems for analysis.

Experience – desirable:

Knowledge or understanding of the Space domain, or a demonstrable interest and ability to develop this knowledge.

Experience of developing, applying, or assuring analytical tools using Matlab, Python, VBA, or any other computing language.

Experience of trials conduct/trials management.

Essential Qualifications

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a scientific, engineering, or other numerical subject.

Qualifications

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a scientific, engineering, or other numerical subject

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

• Achieving impact with analysis
• Knowledge and application of Operational Research skills and techniques

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Ministry of Defence contributes towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window),

Holiday Entitlement - 25-day annual leave allowance per year increasing by 1 day per year (maximum 30 days per year). In addition, 8 statutory Bank Holidays plus 1 privilege day per year. MOD recognises the diverse religious organisations within its workforce and seeks to accommodate individual leave requirements.

Special Paid Leave to volunteer up to 6 days per year.

Flexible Working - Full-time staff will work 37 hours a week but have some flexibility of when they complete these hours.

Learning & Development - MoD aims to provide its civilian staff with 5 days a year of Learning & Development (L&D) tailored to your role, delivered through a combination of high-quality training courses and informal opportunities.

A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

Access to retail and service discounts. Health and Wellbeing – we offer staff the use of the onsite gymnasium facilities with annual membership on par with commercial monthly ones.

We also offer an excellent range of family-friendly benefits, for example, improved parental and adoption leave.

Support accreditation with professional institutions.

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 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.

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

Provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Provide a statement of suitability. (250 Word count)

Please fill out the personal statement section stating how your skills and experience fit the requirements for the role. Applicants can also provide a brief outline of what technical skills you are able to bring to the team and how you feel they will benefit the ASWC.

At sift, Candidates will be assessed against their CV and Statement of suitability and the following:

Behaviours:

• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical Skills:

• Achieving Impact with analysis
• Knowledge and application of Operation Research skills and techniques

Applications will be sifted on all Success Profile elements, but in the event of a high number of applications, the sift will be conducted on your CV and Personal Statement only.

At interview, Candidates will be assessed against the following:

Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Seeing The Big Picture

Technical Skills:

• Achieving Impact with analysis
• Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques

Technical skills are based on UK Government Operational Research Service (GORS) Technical Framework 2025 (GORS Competencies). At sift and interview, you will be assessed against skills (general and specific), experience and behaviours

A GORS badge is not required for this post. However, arrangements can be made for continued membership while in post.

Sifts are expected to take place in November with in-person interviews at RAF Waddington in late November or early December.

Post is reserved for UK Sole Nationals only.

Further information:

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 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.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (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

Open to UK nationals only.

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 : Simon Clewett
• Email : simon.clewett459@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.

Attachments

Candidate Information Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 43kB)Defence Civil Service Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1563kB)Air Command's Applicant Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 499kB)