Royal Navy Operational Advantage Centre - Senior Operational Analyst – Under Water Warfare

Job summary

Do you want to play a key role in shaping Royal Navy (RN) doctrine and frontline tactics?

The Operational Advantage Centre's (OAC) Modelling and Simulation Team (M&S) are part of the Operational Analysis (OA) pillar. They are experts in maritime systems, contributing to the success of RN operations by supporting the assessment and development of doctrine and tactics through modelling and simulation, systems understanding, and specialist IT support.

As the UWW Senior OA, you will be, or will develop into, an expert in OA, particularly in relation to submarine operations and anti-submarine warfare. You will work closely with other Ministry of Defence and Defence Science and Technology (Dstl) scientists and engineers, industry, and the military. Your creativity and resourcefulness will be essential in delivering assured advice when it is most needed.

This challenging and rewarding opportunity demands both leadership skills and deep technical knowledge. If you're seeking to work at the cutting edge of analysis and apply your skills to some of the most interesting and complex challenges facing the front line, this position is perfect for you.

The position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Under Water Warfare (UWW) Senior Operational Analyst (OA) is accountable to the Modelling and Simulation (M&S) Chief Analyst. It is one of several senior analyst posts, each covering a different aspect of above water and underwater warfare. Each Senior OA is a respected expert in their area of specialisation and between themselves lead on delivering analysis of tactics to the front line.

The UWW Senior OA is one of the OAC’s principal civilian experts in UWW analysis. The M&S UWW SEO is supported by the M&S UWW Sys HEO to provide data, information and evidence to support warfare decision making. The focus of the role is on submarine operations and anti-submarine warfare in support of the CASD mission and defence of the United Kingdom homeland, including developing and maintaining representations of Anti-Submarine Warfare platforms, weapons and sensor within the modelling and simulation suites at the OAC.

Specifically, the Senior OA for UWW:

• Provides advice and guidance on systems and tactics to operators and decision makers.

• Supports the M&S Chief Analyst in defining and maintaining an UWW programme of work.

• Works closely with military desk officers to ensure analysis remains aligned with evolving priorities and supports operational decision-making.

• Provides technical analytical support to trials, operations and exercises where appropriate.

• Steers the development of the UWW team’s tooling and modelling capability to enable the delivery of timely, proportionate analysis with built-in assurance.

• Contributes to the continuous improvement and evolution of OA in the OAC, taking advantage of novel techniques and technological advances in support of the organisation’s aims.

• Supports the M&S Chief Analyst to act as an intelligent customer ensuring effectiveness and value for money in the external OA tasks commissioned by M&S.

• Mentors and train members of M&S to develop and maintain a cadre of staff with UWW OA capability.

• Influences UK/Allied programmes of work to achieve RN analysis objectives.

All our OAs have the option to deploy with the Royal Navy on exercises and operations, whether in the middle of the Indian Ocean or in the Fjords of Norway, our OAs provide key evidence to military commanders. This role is completely optional and attracts additional allowances.

Please note: This post is planned to relocate to Portsmouth Naval Base but not before 2028.

Person specification

You will be an experienced analyst who can apply relevant techniques to a range of problems.

You will ideally have a detailed knowledge of UWW systems, but this is not a prerequisite. What you will need is the underpinning technical skills and a willingness and aptitude to learn. Full support will be provided to achieve the rest.

You will be able to operate autonomously with appropriate direction and mentorship. Things change quickly and you will need to be comfortable with ambiguity and shifting priorities.

You will be comfortable establishing and maintaining a diverse network of contacts.

You will also be able to link tactical requirements to technical capabilities and be able to clearly articulate this information to a range of civilian and military personnel.

Skills and Experience

Essential:

• You must have (or expect to have in the next year) a highly mathematical degree, which must be at minimum a 2:2. To meet our definition of a highly numerate degree, at least half of your degree course must be from one or more of the following subjects: maths, physics, computer science, astrophysics, operational research, management science, engineering, data science, decision science, statistics, econometrics or similar.
• Knowledge and demonstrable experience in the application of analytical techniques to solve real world problems.
• Ability to communicate complex analytical techniques and conclusions to non-analyst and senior colleagues.
• Able to proactively identify and build strong, lasting relationships with key stakeholders.
• Proven experience in using analytical tools and programming languages (e.g., Python, R) for model development and data analysis.

Desirable:

• Post graduate qualification in a quantitative discipline
• Experience in conducting Operational Analysis and with using a range of OA methods and tools.
• Knowledge and experience of the MOD and Defence environment.
• Willingness to deploy on military exercises and operations.
• Demonstrable experience and track record in technical leadership.
• Membership and/or accreditation with a professional scientific, engineering, or other relevant institution.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Knowledge and Application of OR Techniques at Level 3 of the GORS Technical Framework
• Achieving Impact with Analysis at Level 3 of the GORS Technical Framework

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.

As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference. Navy Command 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 Navy Command civil servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service.

• Personal & professional development

• Alternative working patterns for many roles

• Access to a confidential, professional support service

• Discount schemes.

• Bicycle / season ticket loans.

• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.

• Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year.

In Navy Command 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 an apprenticeship as part of your role.

An apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through an apprenticeship you will gain professional knowledge, practical experience, and the broader skills required to up-skill you in your current role and pave the way for your future career. Most of the training will be ‘on-the-job’, with the remaining ‘off-the-job’ training often delivered by a training provider. This means minimal disruption and maximum impact.

Professional qualifications can be achieved through an apprenticeship and range from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Levels), and Levels 4 -7, which can give you a foundation degree, a full Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree.

Apprenticeships normally last between 12 months - 3 years, depending on the level of the apprenticeship.

Anyone can undertake an Apprenticeship and everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from developing their skills in an accredited way.

Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.

Our site in Fareham also offers an impressive range of on-site facilities including a gymnasium, swimming pool, and other sporting facilities, a children’s nursery, a bistro restaurant, a shop, and secure free onsite parking.

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.

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.

Our work in defence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who can gain a high level of security clearance to deliver our outputs.The successful candidate will be required to hold or obtain a security clearance without restrictions. As such dual nationality candidates are only eligible with second nationalities from Australia or the United States.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV details to include job history; qualification details, previous skills, experience and a 750 word personal statement explaining how you meet the criteria detailed in the person specification.

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed using the following Civil Service behaviours:

• Changing and Improving

• Delivering at Pace

• Making Effective Decisions

As well as assessing the technical skills as aligned with Level 3 in the GORS framework:

• Knowledge and Application of Operational Research techniques - including the ability to explore and understand data, break down complex problems, and use the right technique(s) to tackle analysis
• Achieving Impact with Analysis - including understanding stakeholder needs, communicating to a variety of audiences, and ensuring quality analysis

The interview will include an opening presentation; the presentation assessment question will be supplied 2 weeks prior to your interview.

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 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 : Jessica Gredley
• Email : Jessica.Gredley100@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

1236260 Opens in new window (pdf, 1601kB)GORS_Technical_Framework_2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 656kB)EXTERNAL PACK (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)