Deputy Head of Army Safety Group – Army

Job summary

The Ministry of Defence, Civil Service workforce is diverse, with many different functions and professions ranging from cyber and digital transformation, police officers, security guards, trainers, human resources, teachers, psychologists, storekeepers, and policy secretariat staff to support the British Army.

Would you like to be a part of one of the world’s leading Defence organisations, leading the Army’s Capability Safety organisation, ensuring safety is embedded within Capability procurement and through life management? To ensure safe equipment is provided to and operated by a diverse and wide-ranging customer community? If you have experience in leading teams, working to multiple stakeholders, dealing with change, and with Safety expertise, then this role may be perfect for you!

Given the critical nature of safety, and the volume of capabilities and outputs to be delivered across a sophisticated business area, there will be a requirement for this post to matrix manage the group's resources across Army HQ and other internal departments in line with priorities.

Whilst all safety management is generally derived from the HSAWA 1974, Capability Safety differs in that it is specifically associated to safety management of operating equipment in a military environment. This includes ‘safe to operate’ and ‘operating the equipment safely’ aspects.

The Deputy Head of the Army Safety Group (Capability Safety) will sit within the Strategic Centre of Army’s HQ based in Andover and leads the 25 strong Capability Safety team. Direct Line Manager for two Grade 7s.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Capability Safety team is helping professionalise the Army’s approach to Capability Safety through the evolution of a Capability Safety function. The role holder will assist and deputise for the Head of the Army Safety Group, with the skills to advise future capability investment decisions, and ultimately changing the Army’s safety culture.

This is a great opportunity in a strategically critical role, which provides support and leadership to the Army Safety Group. You will supply the Head of the Army Safety Group with second party assurance of all work it conducts in support of capability safety matters and the management of capability Safety Arguments.

This role is one of three who act as the Head of the Army Safety Group’s deputies.

This post manages, advises on and assures, the Army’s Capability Safety system for pre in-Service and in-Service and disposal capabilities and providing assurance to the Accountable owners. Whilst deputising for the Head of the Army Safety Group on all Capability Safety matters. Also acts as one of two co-leads on the management of the Army Noise and Vibration exposure.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide the day-to-day matrix management of the Capability Safety ensuring the Programme SROs (Senior Responsible Officer) and In-service management teams have the appropriate support required.
• To be a visible and active leader, not only within the Army HQ, but more widely across the business.
• Provide Health, Safety and Environmental Protection (HS&EP) advice to stakeholders to ensure equipment operation and maintenance policy is compliant with UK law, MOD policy and the policy contained in the statement set out by the Secretary of State for Defence.
• Manage the assurance of Capability Safety management in accordance with Joint Services Publication 376, Land Regulations 600 series, and Army Command Standing Order 1201 for which this post is lead author.
• Driving forward digitalisation of analogue capability management processes.
• Provide safety advice and guidance to the Chain of Command on the implementation of Capability Safety, whilst remaining cognisant of the need to allow the necessary freedom of action to prepare for operational activity.
• Support for Whole Body Vibration (WBV) and Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) requirements for the Army Safety Group.
• Develop and maintain a process for the transfer of risk between platforms and integrated systems.
• Develop and maintain a process for monitoring and reporting capability safety risks held by the User including those transferred from Army HQ as part of the Safety Case Transfers.
• Development and management of a Capability Safety Management Annual Assurance process across Programmes and the User.
• The assurance of all Land Equipment Safety Cases including accuracy, quality and integration including the assurance of Capability Safety management.
• Alongside Head Safety, act as the Safety advisor to the Army Investment Committee and Land Requirements Oversight Committee. Comment on Business Cases including providing Safety Scrutiny reports.
• Management of compliance to SQEP (Suitably Qualified Experienced Person) requirements; tracking that the Capability Safety team have completed safety training when required and enforce the Army Command Standing Order to drive safety culture. This will include Military JPA (Joint Personnel Administration) systems.
• Management of Accident and Incident reports that lead to external enforcement.
• Provide relevant stakeholder direction on the safe operation of in-service equipment.
• Formal delegated authority with Defence Equipment and Support on behalf of the Army for all equipment safety matters.
• Represent the Head of the Army Safety Group on Capability Safety matters when required.
• Enact responsibilities laid out in the Letters of Authority issued to Senior Responsible Officer and Directorate Support.
• Advising and Assuring all relevant parties on the provision of Health, Safety and Environmental Protection (HS&EP) advice, specifically for Capability Safety, to stakeholders to ensure safe equipment operation (safe to operate and operated safely) policy is compliant with UK law, MOD policy and the policy contained in the statement set out by the Secretary of State for Defence.
• Referring key equipment safety issues to the 3* Capability Safety Summit and Army Health Safety Environmental Committee. This includes the Management of Accident and Incident reports that lead to external enforcement.
• Act on behalf of Directorate Support as the SME for Whole Body Vibration and Noise Induced Hearing Loss requirements.
• Maintenance of sub-Army Commanding Standing Order 1201 – Land Equipment Safety Management.
• Promote a positive workplace culture, addressing concerns in a timely manner and promoting the Civil Service code of practices.
• Other duties as directed by Head of Safety (Army).

Person specification

Essential skills required:

• Excellent leadership capability and consistent track record to empower and encourage a successful team and work with partners across boundaries at senior levels.
• Experience in leading diverse and high performing teams.
• Must be personable, proactive and professional with the ability to be a champion for Safety and possess a respectful ability to communicate and influence others, including those at very senior levels.
• A strong understanding of building functional and professional organisational capability alongside experience working in Project Orientated Environmental and Safety Management Systems.
• Able to craft and present a compelling vision and set clear direction, that motivates others to work towards a common goal with ability to manage people through change and to build and lead complementary teams in a matrixed environment.
• An inspiring and coherent leadership style: ability to engage and win the agreement and support of multiple internal and external parties, holding them to account through meticulous performance management to achieve common goals.
• The skills to deliver at pace against a backdrop of uncertainty and continual change. Comfortable making decisions and setting direction without having the full picture; applying knowledge and experience to reduce ambiguity.
• Proven experience of senior stakeholder management in a pressured environment and evidence of building credible and respected relationships at board level, including excellent influencing skills with the credibility to command the trust and confidence of others.

Desirable skills:

• A level 4 in a Health & Safety or Engineering qualification.
• A MSc in Defence leadership and Management, or equivalent, is preferable.
• Capability Safety qualification, either MBA or MSC.
• A chartered member of CMIOSH or working towards.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £72,840, Ministry of Defence contributes £21,101 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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.

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 and Experience.

At application stage you will be assessed against the following:

• CV
• 750 words demonstrating your relevant skills and experience in line with the essential skills required for this role.
• Behaviours
  • Changing & Improving
  • Communicating & Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Working Together

Where a large number of applications are received, an initial sift will be conducted based on the evidence you provide in support of Communicating & Influencing. Your CV, Personal Statement, Working Together, Delivering at Pace, and Changing & Improving evidence will only be reviewed if you are successful at this initial sift.

At interview stage you will be assessed against the following:

• Behaviours
  • Communicating & Influencing
  • Leadership
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Seeing the Bigger Picture

Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed and will be held in person. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.

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 : Giles Malec
• Email : Giles.Malec213@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

EXTERNAL PACK Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)20240307-ArmyTLBEVP Opens in new window (pdf, 3932kB)Candidate Information updated Opens in new window (docx, 31kB)Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 43kB)