About the job Job summary The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army. The Defence College of Support (DCSp) delivers training to all Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force service personnel and Civil Service colleagues in Supply, Distribution, Driving, Catering, Policing & Security and Personnel Administration. The college is made up of 3 schools; Defence School of Logistics and Administration (DSLA) predominantly based at Worthy Down; Defence School of Policing and Security (DSPS) in Southwick Park; and Defence School of Transport (DST) at Leconfield. The college headquarters is also based at Worthy Down a newly built, modern campus in Hampshire. This role sits as the lead for the College Assurance & Accreditation Team and is an ideal opportunity for an individual to develop new skills and experience in a high-profile dynamic situation. You will join and lead an already established team consisting of military and civil service colleagues delivering and supporting training. We pride ourselves as being a supportive employer and where possible encourage flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job description As the Assurance and Accreditation Manager your main responsibilities will include: Act as the lead for Assurance across the College Act as the lead for Accreditation across the College Assurance of training, the provision of Duty of Care and Continuous Improvement throughout the College. This will include On Site Visits, Remote Audit of Documentation, Training Compliance, and audit follow ups Draft Policy for Assurance of training, duty of care provision and Continuous Improvement throughout the College Planning and Management of Assurance Visit programme/ including completing audit reports Scheduling and planning Audit visits Provision of direction and guidance to staff and Trainers on the Defence approach to training Provision of direction and guidance on the application of Duty of Care policies throughout the College Provide direction and guidance on the application of internal processes for Continuous Improvement and Self Assessments College lead for OFSTED, Continuous Improvement (CI), Empowerment and Self-Assessment (SA) Provide secretarial support for the DCSp Continuous Improvement Meetings To act as Liaison for all assurance throughout the College Draft Policy for the identification and promulgation of 'Good Practice' throughout the College The production and amendment of DCSp Assurance and Accreditation Directives Lead for the DSCp Quality Improvement Action Plan, providing direction and guidance for completion and analysis Lead for the implementation of and providing data analysis of the Recruit Trainee Survey Manage staff and write reports as Line Manager or Countersigning Officer as directed which may involve travelling to outstations The post holder will be required to travel to other Military establishments across the UK covered by this role on a regular basis and some visits may require overnight stays. Person specification We are seeking applicants who are forward leaning, enthusiastic and can work proactively to achieve outcomes to lead our diverse team within the Training Assurance and Accreditation department. Due to the variety of ranks and backgrounds, applicants will need to be effective communicators and confident in developing working relationships with a variety of stakeholders. The successful applicant will be required to provide independent Quality Assurance by conducting Audits of Training Management Systems, Duty of Care structures and procedures across the College on an annual basis. To provide Direction and Guidance on training, duty of care, Continuous Improvement and OFSTED, to assure that across the DCSp, the Commander is operating within legal and policy frameworks set out in Defence and Army instructions. Essential Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) Ability to communicate with stakeholders at all levels is essential as you will be required to brief meetings and write audit reports I.T literate, and able to use Microsoft Office 365 products Desirable Previous experience in a training role would be advantageous An understanding of the Defence System Approach to training Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Working Together Managing a Quality Service We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Leadership Benefits Alongside your salary of 44,590, Ministry of Defence contributes 12,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 opportunities tailored to your role 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. 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 Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. At application you will be asked to provide a CV detailing your career history and a personal statement of no more than 750 words evidencing your suitability for the role against the person specification. You will also be assessed against the following behaviour- Leadership When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected. At interview you will be to assessed against the following behaviours : Leadership Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Working Together Managing a Quality Service Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed but these will be held in person at Worthy Down. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs. 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-Resourcingteam3mod.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 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 : Claire Harrington Email : claire.harrington413mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3mod.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: infocsc.gov.uk.