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Job summary

At Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navy’s readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.

As the Royal Navy’s lead for financial and commercial strategy, the Navy’s Director Finance & Commercial provides the analytical insight and oversight that ensure resources achieve the greatest operational effect. Through robust financial management, commercial assurance, and long‑term investment planning, the directorate enables the Service to operate with clarity, confidence, and value for money.

You'll be based at HMS Excellent on Whale Island in Portsmouth, home to the Naval Headquarters and front-line training units. NCHQ is the nerve centre of the Naval Service. It supports operations around the globe and provides the ships, people, aircraft and equipment to deliver the UK’s defence policy. It is a hub of leadership, coordination, and expertise at the heart of Navy Command where Civil Servants and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and challenging jobs in different disciplines, from finance; legal services; personnel and HR; project planning and managing contracts, to media and communications. Roles can offer great job satisfaction and there are many opportunities to develop and progress both within the Department and across the wider Civil Service.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. We value flexible ways of working. This role requires regular onsite attendance (around 60% of the working week) to benefit from face-to-face collaboration, while offering flexibility of hours to support work life balance and business needs. During the initial period, you may be asked to attend more frequently to get familiar with the site, team, and responsibilities.

Job description

Are you seeking a new opportunity to advance your career while making a real difference? At Navy Command, we recognise and value your abilities and potential. Join us in a role where you’ll lead, inspire, and contribute to the delivery of the UK’s most diverse and advanced maritime assets. Together, we’ll ensure the Royal Navy continues to protect our nation and shape the future of global defence that also deliver value for money solutions

We are looking for a capable and motivated professional to join our Navy Approvals Secretariat Team as a Higher Executive Officer. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys delivering to tight deadlines, applying analytical thinking, and driving continuous improvement. The team provides the governance and assurance framework to ensure that underpins major Royal Navy investment decisions. We work with project and programme teams to guide them when developing investment proposals (business cases) and ensure that senior leaders have the information they need to make informed decisions at Investment Decision Panels.

In this role, you will work closely with project and programme teams from the earliest stages of development, advising on effective and appropriate approval strategies and will be guiding them through the Business Case approvals journey from conception to the point of financial approval. You will play a key part in ensuring that robust, high-quality business cases are developed by project teams and to be presented to senior decision-makers at Investment Decision Panels.

You will lead the coordination and delivery of Investment Decision Panels, providing clear advice and well-evidenced recommendations to senior leaders. Alongside this, you will help ensure that investment decisions are made in line with established policy frameworks and best practice, maintaining strong governance, auditability, and transparency.

The role offers exposure to a diverse portfolio of projects, typically ranging from £10M to £400M, and provides the opportunity to work with a wide range of stakeholders across Navy, MoD, delivery organisations, and with colleagues across the wider MOD Approvals and Scrutiny community.

What you'll be doing:

In support of the Head of the Approvals Secretariat (SEO) to support the Commands project and programme leads in obtaining approval for complex and high value business cases, and to support the Investment Decision chairs so that they are able to make effective evidence-based decisions.

Providing policy guidance support to the Business to assist them in correctly following the approvals process and undertaking the review of cases where the value, complexity and potential implications are appropriate to this grade. Initiating Scrutiny Reports to provide a balanced and impartial view on Business Cases. Explaining the required processes, providing guidance and support within your knowledge base. Providing secretariat support to internal investment decision panels and ensuring the required documentation is provided to them in a timely manner. (The Treasury's Green Book on Appraisals, and Business Cases structured in the 5 Case Model (Strategic, Economic, Commercial, Financial & Management) is the standard approach used across government to assess major investments). On the job training will be provided to the successful candidate regarding the MOD policies and processes which underpins this role after starting in post.

Providing services as the Subject Matter Expert

• Providing support, advice, building and promoting knowledge of the 5 Case model within the Business Case and Investment Appraisals within the Business area and finance workforce, escalating where issues are complex.
• Providing surge capacity in undertaking the scrutiny of Business Cases / Investment Appraisals to support the Head of Navy Scrutiny and your line management.
• Ensuring adherence to standards as outlined within internal MOD guidance which aligns to the HM Treasury Green Book. This knowledge can be developed on-the-job.
• Clearly explaining the required Business Case approvals processes, ensuring they are understood by all stakeholders to support compliance and meeting the required standards.
• You will be responsible for supporting a portfolio of investment proposals but will also be required support the wider Approvals Secretariat Team during surge and absence gapping.
• You will support the Chair of the Investment Decision Panels to ensure that they are considering cases appropriate to their Letters of Delegation. Providing written and verbal briefings to the Panel chair ahead of the meeting, drafting and issuing approval decision letters to formally record the outcome.

Stakeholder engagement and collaboration

• Remaining coherent with the expectations of the Department of State as the Head Office and MOD policy owners, engaging with them as required.
• Engaging and collaboratively working with Finance budget teams, communicating on key aspects of financial scrutiny and approval activity in support of their area(s) of responsibility.
• Recognising when to seek further expertise and consulting other Specialist Services and Centres of Excellence.
• Building and maintaining working relationships with Business areas, building your understanding of how the Business operates, seeking to support their needs in the approvals journey.

Continuous improvement

• When required, provide awareness training to business areas on the approvals process and to share best practice guidance.
• Seeking feedback on the services provided and continuously strive to improve the service provided by the Approvals Secretariat.
• Ensure misinterpretation of guidance is understood and shared in a timely manner with team members.

Fulfilling your area of responsibility

• Whilst this post does not have Line Management responsibilities, you will be motivating and leading Scrutiny colleagues and other SMEs to enable effective and timely delivery of scrutiny reports.
• Support your own personal development and knowledge.
• Being open to challenge and new ideas, sharing of knowledge and experience, encouraging others through building a supportive team environment.
• Supporting development and embedding the use of standardised processes to deliver a consistent output to customers
• Working within set parameters, dealing with, and taking decisions on day-to-day issues. Referring to senior staff on matters of policy or novel, complex issues.
• Maintaining efficient and effective audit records.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who is confident working in a fast-paced environment, able to manage competing priorities, and comfortable engaging with stakeholders at all levels. You will bring a proactive mindset, a willingness to challenge and to improve existing processes, and a strong attention to detail to ensure high standards are consistently met.

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show how you meet the following essential criteria:

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to be able to present findings, recommendations or complex information to senior stakeholders.
• Experience of applying governance standards, assurance processes, audit requirements or financial controls within a business, programme or project environment.
• Analysis and Insight - the ability to interpret information, identify key issues, risks and opportunities, challenge and question, and be able to communicate findings clearly to others including Senior leaders.
• Stakeholder Collaboration - Experience of working collaboratively with stakeholders to gather, review and improve information. Experience of leading a group or team to achieve a desired goal or outcome
• Delivery and Attention to Detail - The ability to manage competing and changing priorities whilst working accurately and maintain audit trails and deliver to deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft suite of applications.

Desirable criteria:

• You do not need to be a qualified accountant for this role therefore a finance qualification such as AAT, CCAB or CIMA, or working towards a professional qualification, or equivalent relevant experience is considered desirable.
• Candidates with experience in governance, assurance, project delivery, business analysis, business cases, programme management or risk management are encouraged to apply.
• Experience of identifying opportunities to improve processes, consistency or service delivery, and contributing positively to change.
• Financial Skills Certificate Foundation level – this is a departmental measure of competence in defence finance and is broadly comparable to the cross-Government Finance Skills for All training. If not already held, the successful candidate would be expected to complete an e-learning course to obtain the certificate after starting in post.

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

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

• Working Together

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).

• 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%
• 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 for volunteering up to 6 days a year.

Our headquarters in Portsmouth also offer a striking range of on-site facilities including a gymnasium, tennis courts, and other sporting facilitates, a children’s nursery, a cafe, shop, and plenty of car parking spaces.

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and with 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.

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

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 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.

Please note:

Expenses incurred for travel to interview 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.

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

In the application process you will be required to provide a CV of your relevant and recent experience, a personal statement no more than 500 words that demonstrates how this role would suit you and how you meet the person specifications. You will also be asked to provide an example of ‘Working Together’ as a behaviour in the application process, this should be set out in the STAR format.

At interview you will be assessed on the following behaviours.

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

Sift will take place during the week after the advert closes with the aim to hold interviews, in person, at NCHQ on Whale Island Portsmouth from week commencing 10th August 2026

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

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 : Julie Green
• Email : julie.green788@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

20260413 - Navy Command Candidate Application Guide-O Opens in new window (pdf, 1595kB)Defence Civil Service Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)Navy Candidate Attraction Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 7954kB)Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 43kB)