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Job summary

As part of the newly formed King’s Gurkha Artillery at Larkhill, this is a unique opportunity to operate at the heart of a developing and operationally focused Regiment. The Pandit is a highly visible, soldier facing figure whose influence extends across all levels of the unit, from individual welfare to senior leadership advice.

Through the provision of spiritual leadership, cultural stewardship and pastoral care, the Pandit directly contributes to operational effectiveness. The role ensures that Gurkha soldiers remain grounded in their values and traditions while fully prepared to serve as confident, capable members of the Royal Artillery.

Ultimately, the Pandit plays a vital part in upholding the Army’s longstanding commitment to its Gurkha personnel helping to shape a cohesive, resilient and ready force for the future.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology, and modern workspaces supports a healthy work-life balance while ensuring effective delivery of outcomes.

However, due to the nature of the Gurkha Units Pandit role, there is an expectation of predominantly physical presence approximately 95% in person and 5% delivered remotely during the working period. This is essential for religious duties, ceremonies, and direct engagement. Despite this, the role allows for a balanced workload, providing sufficient flexibility and time to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Job description

This is a specialist appointment requiring recognised expertise in Hindu religious practices, traditions and cultural customs. The Pandit serves as the principal advisor to the Gurkha Major, King’s Gurkha Artillery, and the wider Chain of Command on all matters relating to religious observance, cultural leadership and pastoral care within a military environment.

At the core of the role is the responsibility for the management and upkeep of the Regimental Mandir (temple), ensuring it remains a focal point for worship, reflection and community cohesion. This includes the planning and delivery of daily puja, major religious festivals such as Dashain, Tihar and other significant observances, and ceremonial events that uphold the spiritual life of Gurkha soldiers and their families.

The Pandit provides dedicated pastoral support to soldiers and their families, offering guidance through personal, professional and cultural challenges. Acting as a trusted confidant, the Pandit plays a key role in sustaining morale, welfare and resilience across the unit, particularly during periods of transition, training and operational demand.

The main responsibilities of this role are set out below; however, the scope and focus will continue to evolve in line with the needs of the growing Gurkha Artillery family.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver Hindu religious services and conduct ceremonial duties for Gurkha soldiers and their families, including festivals, parades and key life events (e.g. births, marriages and bereavements).
• Provide expert pastoral, spiritual and moral support to personnel and their families, including dedicated care for those who are sick, injured, or bereaved.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Chain of Command, supporting the maintenance of morale, cohesion and overall wellbeing across the Regiment.
• Maintain, manage and develop the unit Mandir, ensuring it remains a well-resourced and accessible centre for worship, reflection and community engagement.
• Promote mental wellbeing and personal resilience through structured activities such as meditation, mindfulness and yoga.
• Preserve and promote Nepalese culture, traditions and values within the Regiment, reinforcing the unique identity of Gurkha soldiers.
• Deliver cultural, religious and educational support to Gurkha families and children, including the promotion of language, heritage and identity.
• Contribute directly to operational effectiveness by strengthening the moral and ethical component of the Regiment, both in barracks and on deployment.
• Support the wider Brigade of Gurkhas network and, where appropriate, contribute to the broader Armed Forces community in matters of faith, culture and welfare.
• Advise the Gurkha Major and senior leadership on cultural matters, ensuring informed decision making and the respectful integration of Gurkha traditions within a modern military environment.

In addition, the role includes:

• Advising the Chain of Command on cultural sensitivities, traditions and practices to ensure informed and inclusive leadership decisions.
• Supporting the integration of Gurkha soldiers into the wider Royal Artillery while preserving their unique identity and heritage.
• Contributing to unit cohesion by promoting shared understanding, respect and mutual trust across diverse personnel.
• Assisting in ceremonial duties, regimental events and key activities that reinforce pride, discipline and spirit de corps.

Person specification

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Recognised qualification and established authority in Hindu religious practice, such as Shastri or equivalent, from a Gurukul, Vedic school, or accredited religious institution.
• Proven experience of delivering pastoral care and spiritual guidance within a community or similarly structured environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and engage confidently with soldiers, families, and the Chain of Command.
• Sound understanding of Nepalese culture, traditions and values, with the ability to apply these effectively within a modern military context.
• Demonstrable ability to support individuals through challenging circumstances with sensitivity, discretion and professionalism.
• Well organised, adaptable, and capable of managing competing priorities within a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Able to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a wider, multidisciplinary team.
• Proven competence in conducting Hindu rituals, ceremonies and festivals.
• Formal recognition by a religious authority or community body to perform religious duties.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Experience of working with Gurkha personnel or within a military environment.
• Previous experience in delivering wellbeing support or structured activities such as meditation, mindfulness or yoga.
• Experience of working with families and young people, including the delivery of educational, cultural or community-based activities.
• Working knowledge of both Nepali and English to support effective communication across the community.
• Broad awareness of other faiths and belief systems, supporting an inclusive and respectful approach within a diverse environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as religious studies, theology, Hindu studies, philosophy or cultural studies.

Qualifications

Recognised qualification and established authority in Hindu religious practice, such as Shastri or equivalent, from a Gurukul, Vedic school, or accredited religious institution.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Working Together

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 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).

The Army 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 Army civil servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Highly competitive pension scheme
• Personal and professional development of skills
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
• Learning and Development

Please Note:

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 a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.

A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.

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.

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.

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

Candidates will also be required to provide a statement of suitability. (500 Word count) personal statement demonstrating experience working within Nepalese or Gurkha communities, with a strong understanding of cultural traditions and expectations

At sift, Candidates will be assessed against their CV, Statement of suitability and the following Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

Where a large number of applications are received, an initial sift will be conducted based on the evidence you provide in support of Seeing the Bigger Picture. The remaining elements will only be reviewed if you are successful at this initial sift.

At interview, Candidates will be assessed on questions based on their CV and Personal Statement along with the following Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

Further information:

Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed and will be held in person. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.

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.

There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.

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 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

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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 : Jacqueline Harvard
• Email : Jacqueline.Harvard126@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)Defence Civil Service Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 43kB)ARMY Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 273kB)