Senior Acoustic Analyst

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to work as an Senior Acoustic Analyst within the Maritime Data Assessment Centre (MDAC), which is part of the Defence Intelligence organisation, supporting key MOD operational outputs. This role is highly suited for an individual with experience of intelligence and acoustics analysis, who once qualified, will form part of a 24/7/365 team with the interpretation of national intelligence products within this specialist field.

This position is advertised as 37 hours per week, during training, and then weekly hours as rostered. This is a shift working position covering days, lates, nights, weekends and public holidays. Once rostered the position attracts an additional regular shift allowance.

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

In DI we believe your unique experiences, view and understanding of the world could provide a vital perspective and contribution to our work. We recognise that great minds do not think alike and are striving to increase our diversity representation at all levels. As an equal opportunities employer we hire, train and promote people based on merit and inspire to create an inclusive workplace free of discrimination.

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

Job description

You will conduct accurate data analysis and assessment, identifying acoustic data elements from a broad range of sources, to inform and disseminate timely, relevant reports in support of MDAC outputs. Your role will be integral to a 24/7, 365-day operation, delivering high-quality analytical products that support decision-making and operational effectiveness. As a Senior Analyst you will be required to undertake advanced analytical courses and support the development of operational processes and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Once trained, work as part of a rolling shift pattern to provide 24/7 coverage for a 365-day operation.
• Conduct accurate and timely analysis of source data, utilising appropriate analytical techniques to deliver assessments in the most suitable method for the task.
• Sustain a continual cycle of source analysis reporting, using appropriate dissemination methods and recognising protective markings and classifications as required.
• Collaborate with the Team Co-Ordinator to develop and review search plans and criteria.
• Present analytical data in various formats as required by the task, for review by the Team Co-Ordinator, to support reporting and inform decision-making by the Team Leader.
• Maintain robust audit trails for all source data obtained.
• Develop your analytical tradecraft by identifying and undertaking relevant acoustic analysis training to enhance Senior Analyst proficiencies beyond awareness level.
• Qualify as a Team Co-Ordinator to provide additional resilience within the shift team.
• Complete non-functional mandatory training and perform other administrative tasks as required within the duties of the role.
• Line manage other civilian analysts within your team.

Person specification

• Must be a Sole UK National
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent IT skills, including word processing, PowerPoint and excel spreadsheets.
• The ability to prioritise, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Strong analytical thinking and logical reasoning.
• Capability to objectively analyse all sides of an issue.
• Prior experience of military/ defence intelligence or acoustic analysis ( highly desirable).

This post is a Reserved position therefore this vacancy is open to Sole UK nationals only and cannot be offered to someone with dual nationality. Successful candidates who do not hold the necessary clearances will be made provisional job offers and asked to undergo our vetting procedures. Once the relevant clearances have been acquired a formal job offer will be made and start dates can be discussed. Should candidates fail to acquire the relevant clearances the provisional job offer will be rescinded. Candidates should note this process can take several months.

Essential Criteria

You will be required to qualify as a Senior Acoustic Analyst. For applicants not already qualified, there is the requirement to become qualified within the first 12 months of employment, full training is provided.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Developing Self and Others

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

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-day annual leave allowance per year increasing by 1 day per year (maximum 30 days per year). 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 can use the exceptional onsite gymnasium facilities.
• We also offer an excellent range of family-friendly benefits, for example, enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Special Paid Leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year

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 12 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.

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

At sift, applicants will be sifted against their CV, Personal Statement and following behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

If we receive a high number of applications the sift will take place using the CV, Personal Statement and prior working experience of intelligence and acoustic analysis.

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Developing Self and Others

Candidates should be aware that their office-based workplace will only have stair access and is underground with no windows. The use of Personal Electronic Devices within these workplaces, will align with MOD policy.

Candidates will be required to complete an online Numerical test.

Should you be invited to complete the online test, please allow sufficient time to complete the test and the remainder of the full application form; only candidates who are successful at the test stage will be invited to complete the remainder of the application by clicking ‘Submit Application’. Your application must be completed by 23:55on the closing date of the vacancy. Late submissions cannot be accepted. The test is not timed, it works by giving you harder questions if you answer the previous question correctly, and easier if you get it wrong. You should allow up to an hour for the test, and the test must be completed before you will be invited to complete the second part of your application. Internet access will be required for the duration of the test. Please refer to the attached Candidate Guidance for further information.

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.

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.

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.

Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) generates and operates specialist capabilities, ready to fight across all domains to make the UK secure at home and strong abroad.

Always on, we are across every UK operation, delivering the capabilities you don’t usually see - or those you can’t.

From cyber warriors and medics to intelligence analysts, special forces, educators, and Defence attachés, our collective expertise delivers the warfighting edge Defence needs to deter threats and secure the nation today and prepare for tomorrow.

CSOC unites Defence’s cyber and specialist capabilities under a single, military command alongside the Royal Navy, British Army, and the Royal Air Force - acting as the UK’s fourth Military Command. For more information, please see here.’

Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to design the way in which the new Military Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, posts within CSOC are/or may become subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.

CANDIDATE INFORMATION

Please read this document prior to completing your application.

Please note: internal candidates must include their staff number when prompted during the application process.

Should you have any queries relating to the vacancy information or sift and interview process, please contact the recruiting line manager using the contact details listed on the vacancy. Please do not direct vacancy related queries to the recruitment team as they will be unable to advise.

FURTHER INFORMATION

CV’s

Should the selection process require a CV, you will be prompted to complete the required criteria during the application process. CV’s sent directly to the recruiting line manager will be deleted immediately to maintain anonymity.

Civil Servants (all grades)

Applicants should monitor their Civil Service Jobs application centre regularly for updates.

Some of MoD’s Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) changed from 3 February 2014. Those TACOS changes applied to Broader Banded and Skill Zone staff who were new recruits to MoD or who were appointed to a post on substantive promotion, progression or advancement. On the same basis, the TACOS for Departmental Retained Grades changed with effect from 01 September 2014.

Applicants should be aware that any move across the Civil Service on or after 5 October 2018 may have implications on an employee’s ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.

Please see link below to Civil Service Recruitment Principles http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/201…

Please see the MOD Privacy notice which informs how we will use your personal data, explains your rights and gives you information you are entitled to under Data Protection legislation.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-privacy-…

Non Civil Servants

All employees joining MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 12 month probation period effective from the employment start date.

COMPLAINTS

Please be aware that the selection and interviewing of applicants is the responsibility of the Recruiting Line Manager (RLM) and not the Defence Business Services (DBS) Resourcing team. DBS does not play any part in the selection and interview process itself.

Therefore, if you wish to discuss your feedback, or you are dissatisfied with your markings, you should in the first instance raise this with the Recruiting Line Manager of the vacancy.

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

FOR EXTERNAL VACANCIES 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

Cabinet Office Fraud Checks

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant whose details are found to be held on the IFD will be refused employment

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

20241122-Candidate Information Pack V5-Accessibility-O Opens in new window (pdf, 469kB)Document in 26-06 Defence Internal Brief notice for inclusion of all adverts and issued alongside Posting Notices_O Opens in new window (docx, 25kB)CSOC Candidate Pack 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 1777kB)EXTERNAL PACK Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)