DE&S Defence Courier

Job summary

At Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), we supply and maintain vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. Together, we deliver a vast range of essential defence programmes, and strive for what's next. Because it helps keep our military at the top of their game and our nation safe – for today, and tomorrow.

DE&S has recently been integrated into the National Armaments Director Group (NAD Group). The NAD Group brings together key Ministry of Defence (MOD) organisations to unite expertise across science, technology, procurement, infrastructure, and support to provide integrated capabilities faster and more efficiently for our armed forces and our allies. This is an exciting new opportunity to enable better ways of working and empower greater collaboration across Defence. For further information about the NAD Group, please visit: National Armaments Director Group - GOV.UK

We offer 25+ days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of 28.97%, to help make work work for you.

Nationality, visas and vetting: For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A ‘sole UK national’ refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 10 years and obtain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you have been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining DV security clearance can be a lengthy process. If clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months, we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made.

In addition to gaining Security Clearance, your continued employment will be subject to you obtaining a Criminal Records Check (CRC) or overseas criminal record certificate on a tri-annual basis.

Job description

Are you seeking a challenging and rewarding opportunity? The British Forces Post Office (BFPO) is offering an exciting opportunity for Defence Couriers (DCs) to join our highly motivated team, based at our Headquarters in Northolt. This is a unique role that combines purpose, responsibility, and travel, supporting the UK Armed Forces both in the UK and across the globe.

For centuries, the Armed Forces have operated an in-house postal service, delivering mail throughout key moments in military history, including both World Wars. Today, BFPO continues this proud legacy by providing postal and courier services to personnel in over 650 locations worldwide. Our work plays a vital role in maintaining morale by ensuring that service personnel remain connected with family, friends, and essential operational networks through the reliable delivery of letters and parcels.

As a Defence Courier, you will undertake a dynamic and varied role, with significant opportunities for both UK and international travel. You will be responsible for escorting and securely delivering Protectively Marked Material (PMM), often in safety-critical and high-profile environments. Working as part of a two-person team, you will routinely share driving responsibilities, operating a large van and ensuring items are delivered safely and efficiently to a range of locations. No two days will be the same, and the role offers a high level of autonomy and variety.

We are looking for individuals who are organised, dependable, and self-motivated, with a strong sense of responsibility and attention to detail. You will be an effective communicator with the ability to work collaboratively, remain calm under pressure, and adapt to changing circumstances. There will also be opportunities for you to contribute to continuous improvement within BFPO operations, working collaboratively with management to enhance efficiency and deliver value for money in support of Defence objectives.

Key Things to Be Aware Of

• This position offers not only a competitive salary, but also additional benefits including a £3,300 London Allowance and a 12.5% Regular Shift Allowance.

• During your initial training and six-month probation period, you will spend an increased amount of time driving to build experience and confidence in the role.

• Due to the nature of the work, this role is open to UK nationals only and requires successful completion of Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.

• You will be required to pass a bespoke Defence Courier medical assessment prior to appointment.

• This role will require regular travel, including overnight stays, which may be necessary for up to 10 working days per month. All travel and associated expenses will be funded by BFPO. Flexibility is therefore essential, as travel may be planned or required at short notice depending on operational needs.

This is more than just a courier role; it is an opportunity to play a meaningful part in supporting the Armed Forces while building a career that offers challenge, variety, and purpose.

What you’ll be doing

• Safeguard and escort Protectively Marked Material (PMM) across the UK and internationally, ensuring all items are transported securely and in full compliance with diplomatic protocols under the Vienna Convention.

• Take full ownership of security and integrity, ensuring PMM remains protected from tampering or unauthorised inspection, including strict prevention of customs interference, and is delivered safely to its destination without compromise.

• Operate and maintain specialist equipment with confidence, developing and applying the technical expertise required to support the secure, efficient, and seamless movement of sensitive materials.

• Once trained, you will use your knowledge of MOD policies, international regulations, and host nation requirements, ensuring full compliance with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) guidance to enable smooth and barrier-free delivery operations worldwide.

• Undertake and successfully complete advanced safety and security training, including pre-deployment requirements, to meet FCDO standards and operate effectively in diverse and often high-risk environments.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Holder of a full UK manual driving licence (Category B minimum, Category C1 or above desirable), and a maximum of 6 penalty points.

• Lead Criterion - Effective communication skills with the ability to engage with stakeholders, internal and external, at all levels.

• A basic level of IT literacy, with the ability to effectively use standard workplace systems, including the MS Office Suite.

• Confirmation that you are capable of extensive travel at short notice, often independently, both within the UK and internationally.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Core Behaviour 1: Making effective decisions – CSBC3

• Core Behaviour 2: Communicating and Influencing - CSBC3

• Technical Competence 1: Customer Service - Supervised Practitioner level

• Technical Competence 2: Managing support, supplier, and customer networks - Supervised Practitioner level

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,500, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,835 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of - and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles - Civil Service Commission

• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-candidate-information-pack

• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions

• Civil Service Code: The Code - Civil Service Commission

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Disability Confident:

Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.’

Conflicts of Interest:

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.

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

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift - We will check your application to ensure that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.

1. Sift - Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.

1. Interview - If you're invited to interview, you will be assessed against the following:

• CV Review

• Core Behaviour 1

• Core Behaviour 2

• Technical Competencies

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the ranking of the assessed behaviours and competencies below:

• 1st: Core Behaviour 1

• 2nd: Core Behaviour 2

• 3rd: Technical Competencies

• 4th: CV Review

In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise the Lead criteria, and/or an additional assessment. Please note for this specific assessment, the Lead Criteria will be:

Effective communication skills with the ability to engage with stakeholders, internal and external, at all levels.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints - Civil Service Commission

Offering at a lower level

If you’re not successful at interview, we may offer you a role at a lower level if this is a match for your skills and experience. If this applies to your application, you’ll be scored against criteria for the lower-level role and offers will be made in merit order. If you accept this position, you’ll be able to take advantage of opportunities to develop your career as part of our team.

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 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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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 : Michael Ponsford
• Email : michael.ponsford101@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : daniel.bone101@mod.gov.uk