Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (WOME) Assurance Officer

Job summary

Thank you for considering the position of Weapons, Ordinance, Munitions and Explosives (WOME) Assurance Officer. This varied role is required to assure the delivery of strategically important WOME export contracts to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It will suit a flexible and confident quality assurance professional with WOME experience, able to represent HM Government across industry and with the export customer.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Due to the nature of the role, job share arrangements may be considered, subject to the requirement that full-time hours are fully covered.

Job description

The MOD – Saudi Armed Forces Projects (MODSAP) is a unique and exciting environment in which to work and forms a crucial part of the strategic defence relationship between the UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

You will be joining MODSAP at a key juncture in the UK-Saudi relationship with Saudi Arabia undertaking an unprecedented programme of societal reforms, while facing continuing challenges to regional and national security. Consequently, it is a fascinating country wrestling with some strategic challenges as it seeks to develop its industrial and defence capabilities against a backdrop of an unstable region and increasing external scrutiny of its decisions and behaviours. UK defence, security and prosperity interests in Saudi Arabia remain substantial.

Female candidates, contrary to past restrictions, are welcome and encouraged to a country that is keen to unlock and utilise everyone’s capacity and capability, male and female alike.

The UK has a longstanding bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia which currently accounts for over a third of all defence exports from the UK, with MODSAP playing a key role overseeing delivery of services worth billions of pounds to the UK economy. It is a large, challenging and complex programme of work that has been running for 40 years and it is on these foundations that we must build – central to this is our strategy for the 2030s and beyond to capitalise upon the significant future opportunities within the defence and security relationship of both countries.

We have embarked upon a path to enact positive and lasting change from within, through internal organisational change and transformation, and enhanced HMG collaboration to meet the demands of tomorrow. Whether this is a through a re-focussed attitude, modernising our business processes, developing and enhancing relationships with our colleagues across Governments and industries, or sustaining and enhancing the commitments made by HMG to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is a rewarding challenge and unlike any other post in Government.

You will be supported by a diverse and high performing team, and by a senior management team who are committed to developing MODSAP as a great place to work, where staff are respected, valued and fairly rewarded for their contribution to the successful achievement of our common mission, where we also seek to nurture your skillsets, expanding on those where possible and broadening your horizons for the future.

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. Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Main Responsibilities:

• Management of Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (WOME) This will include contract planning activities and thereafter assurance of Prime Contractor performance against contracted standards, schedules and deliverables.
• Act as nominated Safety Assurance Officer (SAO) to provide assurance of the Prime Contractor’s Safety Management System performance. This will include reviewing risk assessments, compliance with relevant standards and adherence to relevant WOME engineering practices.
• Provide quality assurance support across the broader Systems portfolio which includes infrastructure, simulation and electronic warfare training services.
• Conduct of contractor audits in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and elsewhere, this will include a specific focus on explosive safety standards in maintenance and logistics facilities operated by the Prime Contractor.
• Provide advice to Royal Saudi Air Force and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Government Officials on WOME matters including training, technical, qualification & certification, safety & environmental good practice, policy, procedures / process, standards, operational test and evaluation.
• Provide assistance to the Royal Saudi Air Force and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Government Officials on continual improvement of WOME management, sharing lessons identified by the UK MOD, access to technical and logistics information and for official visits to UK MOD and industry sites.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who can bring highly credible WOME experience to the task of quality assuring the delivery of export contracts to UK MOD standards. The ability to operate confidently and independently on site is required to represent the UK MOD working with UK and overseas suppliers as well as the Saudi customer.

Essential Qualification:

• A recognised engineering or quality assurance qualification.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Professional registration at Incorporated Engineer standard through membership of an appropriate professional body such as IExpE or IET, etc.
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.
• Government Quality Assurance License.
• Project or programme management qualifications such as AMP PMQ, MSP or similar.

The candidate must have:

• WOME engineering experience through maintenance, manufacture, qualification, or certification activities.
• A recognised engineering or quality assurance qualification.
• Quality management experience as an auditor or coordinator, particularly the management of contractors.

Desirable Experience:

• Knowledge and implementation of UK MOD WOME safety management.
• Experience working with industry and customers in an international setting.
• Experience managing air launched weapons within operational, maintenance or air system qualification environments.
• A leadership, management, or advisory role within a formal safety management system.
• Knowledge of Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD).

Qualifications

The candidate must have:

- A recognised engineering or quality assurance qualification.

Desirable Qualifications:

- Professional registration at Incorporated Engineer standard through membership of an appropriate professional body such as IExpE or IET, etc.
- ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.
- Government Quality Assurance License.
- Project or programme management qualifications such as AMP PMQ, MSP or similar.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• WOME Functional Skills
• Quality assurance

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 (opens in a new window).

• A comfortable and well equipped office space in Westminster, with views across historic central London, and excellent transport links
• Subsidised on-site cafeteria
• Opportunities for international travel, including access to excellent amenities when visiting sites in Saudi Arabia
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

At sift, candidates will be assessed against their CV, and the following Technical Skills:

• WOME Functional Skills
• Quality assurance

At interview, candidates will be assessed against the following Behaviours and Technical Skills:

Behaviours:

• Changing & Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating & Influencing
• Working Together

Technical Skills:

• WOME Functional Skills
• Quality assurance

Candidates successful at sift stage will be invited to interview.

Further information:

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.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into 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 basic (or equivalent) 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

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 : Wing Commander Alex Tomczynski
• Email : alex.tomczynski652@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

WOME_Functional_Skills_Framework Opens in new window (pdf, 2600kB)Managing_Quality Opens in new window (pdf, 325kB)Defence Internal Brief Notice Opens in new window (docx, 39kB)MOD Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1563kB)