Quality Assurance - Training

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to work as a Quality Assurance Analyst within the Maritime Data Assessment Centre (MDAC), part of the Defence Intelligence organisation, supporting key MOD operational outputs. This role is suited to an individual with experience in Quality Assurance. Experience in defence, intelligence, or acoustics analysis is preferable; however, if you have an assurance background, enjoy working as part of a team, and are skilled in problem-solving, this could be the role for you.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. The unit supports flexible working with core hours set Monday to Friday; however, it is not suitable for home or hybrid working. This is an in-person role.

In Defence Intelligence (DI), our people solve problems, create understanding, and provide perspective on the diverse and complex Defence threats and challenges in a rapidly changing world. Together, our civilian and military personnel inform decision-making in Defence, manage complex finance programmes, and develop new technology.

At DI, we believe your unique experiences, views, and understanding of the world can provide vital perspectives and contributions to our work. We recognise that great minds do not think alike and are striving to increase diversity representation at all levels. As an equal opportunities employer, we hire, train, and promote people based on merit and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace free of discrimination.

All job adverts in DI are subject to fair and open competition.

Job description

The Maritime Data Assessment Centre (MDAC) at RAF St Mawgan is seeking a Quality Assurance Analyst to provide assurance and scrutiny of the specialist training programme designed to support the operational capability of MDAC.

As a member of the QA Team, you will report to the Head of QA and be responsible for comprehensive analysis and validation of output data produced by the MDAC Watch floor and the training function. You will also conduct assurance checks on the delivery of specialist training to ensure it meets current operational and security standards.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive analysis and validation of output data from the MDAC Watch floor and training function.
• Perform scrutiny and assurance checks on the delivery of specialist training at MDAC.
• Monitor and review policy updates related to training and security through Defence Instructions Notices (DINs), Joint Service Publications (JSPs), and other directives. Report changes promptly to your Line Manager and liaise with the Head of QA to assess impact and communicate necessary updates through unit Executives to ensure training courses remain current.
• Liaise with the MDAC Training team, Training Requirements Authority (TRA), and Training Delivery Authority (TDA) to review proposed changes to course content and training aids, ensuring alignment with current training and security policies. Advise on required changes to support future course planning.
• Collaborate with the MDAC Head of Training on the creation and dissemination of QA products for information and instructional purposes.
• Assist in the development of evaluations, assessments, and training scenarios. Review outputs and consolidate findings into reports for stakeholder review.
• Participate as a member of assessment teams evaluating individual or team performance during training exercises or drills.
• Qualify as a Watch Coordinator and provide day shift cover within the watch team approximately once every two months to maintain proficiency on the watch floor.
• Act as the MDAC Information Manager and support the Data Protection Officer in all MDAC information management functions.
• Complete mandatory non-functional training and other administrative tasks as directed by the Head of QA, commensurate with the role and grade.

Person specification

This is a reserved post, and is only open to sole UK Nationals

• Previous experience gained working within a training environment would be beneficial to this role.
• Previous experience working within an intelligence facility or with an acoustic analysis background is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience of ISO 9001:2015 is desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
• Resilience to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, exercising sound judgement on when to progress tasks or seek guidance.
• A committed team player.

Desirable Criteria

Qualified as an Acoustic Analyst. For applicants not already qualified, there is the requirement to become qualified within the first 12 months of employment.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Developing Self and Others
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Developing Self and Others
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,740, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,905 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Furthermore, we offer a range of excellent benefits, including but not limited to the following:

• Leave entitlement – 25 days annual leave per year, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30 days. In addition, 8 statutory Bank Holidays and 1 privilege day per year.
• Professional Development – We are committed to your continued professional and personal development, with learning as one of our core values.
• Health and Wellbeing – For a small fee, staff have access to the exceptional on-site gymnasium facilities.
• Family-friendly benefits – We offer an excellent range of family-friendly benefits, including enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
• Special Paid Leave – Up to 6 days per year to volunteer.
• Pension contribution: 28.97%

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 (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non Standard move applicants will be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility.

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.

Applicants must submit a CV using the template provided on the CS Jobs dashboard (Part Two of the application), detailing job history, experience, and skills.

You must also provide a personal statement (maximum 750 words) demonstrating how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the job advert. Review the Person Specification carefully, as your statement will be assessed against these requirements.

You may use any layout—narrative, bullet points, or a mix—and choose whether to address each criterion individually or combine examples. Focus on evidencing what you have done, the skills and experience applied, and why you are suited to the role. Highlight technical and behavioural competencies, relevant achievements, and any life experience or passion that aligns with the position.

Candidates will be required to complete an online Numerical Test.
If invited, allow sufficient time to complete the tests and the remainder of the application form. Only candidates who pass the test stage will be able to submit their application. Applications must be completed by 23:55 on the closing date; late submissions cannot be accepted.

Candidates that reach the minimum required pass mark will have their results saved as a banked score against the following tests:

• New Civil Service Numerical Test

When a candidate has a banked score they’re not asked to re-take the same test providing it is set at the same level. Scores will be banked for a 6 month period from the date of test completion. If a candidate is invited to take the same test against multiple vacancies, the banked score will be recognised against all vacancies and all active applications will progress.

CSJT scores cannot be banked as each test is generated from the behaviours required for a specific role which will vary between recruitment campaigns.

If you require any particular arrangements (for example due to a disability or health problem) to be made in order for you to complete the online test you MUST contact the DBS Enquiry Centre on 0800 345 7772 BEFORE accessing the online test.

Opening times Mon -Friday 0800- 1600 hrs.

At sift, applicants will be sifted against their CV, Personal Statement and following Civil Service Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Developing Self and Others
• Working Together

If we receive a high number of applications the sift will take place using their CV, Personal Statement, Making Effective Decisions Behaviours and prior intelligence and analytical experience.

At Interview, you will be assessed against the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership

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.

Successful candidates will be subject to a 12-month probation period.

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.

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 : MDAC Executive Team
• Email : navysm-mdac@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)Success-Profiles-Behaviours Opens in new window (pdf, 998kB)CSOC Candidate Pack 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 1777kB)Defence Civil Service Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)