Plymouth, South West England, PL2 2BG Job Summary Devonport Naval Base is the largest Naval Base in Europe. It is a 650 acre site with 15,000 acres of water space, employing 12,000 people on site. The Base is primarily focused on delivering timely deep maintenance to the UK’s submarine fleet. It is also the operating home base for frigates, amphibious Ships, Royal Marines. Devonport Naval Base is the nerve centre for the Royal Navy in the Southwest. It supports operations around the globe and provides the ships, submarines, people, and equipment to deliver the UK’s defence policy. Its mission is to meet the support and operating requirements for the Naval Service and UK’s allies, from the Southwest, reaching worldwide. Fleet Operational Standards and Training Ships (FOST(S)) is a training and assurance provider that has its centre of gravity in HM Naval Base Devonport, with training hubs located in Portsmouth and Faslane. An outstanding opportunity has arisen for a high calibre and motivated individual to work in a dynamic and exciting environment in support gunnery training and assurance. FOST(S) trains the ships of the Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), and those of our international partners to deliver highly trained and capable ships to meet the operational demands that they may be required to face. This training is delivered to individual Force Elements either in the UK or globally. The FOST(S) brand is internationally recognised as the gold standard provider of Operational Sea Training (OST) and is highly sought after. The ability to provide complex, live, multi-unit war fighting training, delivered by highly experienced and specialist staff, under-pinned by a comprehensive but unobtrusive safety systems, is unmatched. The Gunnery Instructor (GI) provides an organic capability that enables FOST(S) to deliver training and assurance to the RFA. This enables ships of the RFA to maintain their required levels of Force Protection (FP) which directly contributes to the ships overall Operational Capability (OC). In fulfilling this role there is a requirement to work individually and under own initiative, but also work collaboratively as part of a wider FOST team to deliver outputs. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Flexible working is available by agreement with the line manager, but due to the nature of the role, candidates must be prepared to spend the majority of their time on site or deployed to ships of the RFA either in the UK or on operations globally. Job Description Deploy both in the UK and overseas to provide weapons training and assurance, which will include 20mm and 30mm calibre weapon systems, to ensure that all RFA vessels receive and maintain the required level of FP training to sustain their OC. To liaise with Navy Command and as directed other stakeholders to ensure suitable oversight and input into policy, training and requirements. The ability to build an effective network would be advantageous. To have ownership of the relevant weapon Books of Reference (BR) sections or chapters concerning the RFA, particularly the gunnery sections of BR 1043 and BR 875 for integration and policy. In doing so the right candidate will act as a focal point for updates, reviews and liaise on all matters pertaining to RFA FP. Represent FOST(S) as required at appropriate meetings and interact with relevant stakeholders for matters concerning RFA gunnery and explosive matters. Deploy both in the UK and overseas to provide weapons training and assurance, which will include 20mm and 30mm calibre weapon systems, to ensure that all RFA vessels receive and maintain the required level of FP training to sustain their OC. To liaise with Navy Command and as directed other stakeholders to ensure suitable oversight and input into policy, training and requirements. The ability to build an effective network would be advantageous. To have ownership of the relevant weapon Books of Reference (BR) sections or chapters concerning the RFA, particularly the gunnery sections of BR 1043 and BR 875 for integration and policy. In doing so the right candidate will act as a focal point for updates, reviews and liaise on all matters pertaining to RFA FP. Represent FOST(S) as required at appropriate meetings and interact with relevant stakeholders for matters concerning RFA gunnery and explosive matters. Person specification The ideal candidate for this role will have extensive maritime gunnery experience and be able to demonstrate the ability to work in a complex and dynamically changing environment. Often this will require the ability to prioritise in order to find safe and efficient solutions to enable the ship to maintain its operational output. Successful candidates for this role must have experience of developing relationships and the ability to build effective networks and managing stakeholder expectations would be advantageous. You must be able to demonstrate problem solving ability and have the vision to enable activity, looking for opportunities to deliver and meet FOST(S) objectives. Successful candidates will have a demonstrable record of delivering results through the application of individual initiative and working collaboratively. The successful candidate will have to demonstrate strong communication skills in a variety of mediums. Qualifications The RFA FOST GI is to posses a wide breadth of Above Water Warfare (AWW) skills, hold relevant crew served weapons instructor qualifications, have, or be able to obtain, a valid ENG1 Medical Certificate, have sea experience as a PO (AWW) or above and have completed the following STCW courses: Personal Survival Techniques (STCW Code – Table A-VI/1-1); Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (STCW Code – Table A-VI/1-2); Elementary First Aid (STCW Code – Table A-VI/1-3); Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (STCW Code - Table A-VI/1-4); Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership Managing a Quality Service Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Seeing the Big Picture Working Together We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Leadership Managing a Quality Service Alongside your salary of £29,580, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,569 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 MOD provides an excellent opportunity to develop skills through personal development and offers flexible working, excellent annual leave and maternity allowances and a very competitive pension scheme. We understand the everyday commitments both inside and outside the workplace, so our aim is to provide the flexibility to maintain a great work-life balance. We also offer an impressive range of on-site facilities including a gymnasium, tennis courts and other sporting facilities, a children’s nursery, food outlets, a handy shop, and some car parking. The MOD provides an excellent opportunity to develop skills through personal development and offers flexible working, excellent annual leave and maternity allowances and a very competitive pension scheme. 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. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, qualifications and experience. Candidates will be required to complete an online CV template to include job history, full details of education and qualifications and previous experiences and skills. Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. (500 Words) At sift, you will be assessed against your CV and Statement of suitability and the following: Leadership Managing A Quality Service At Interview, You Will Be Assessed Against The Following Communicating and Influencing Delivering At Pace Seeing The Big Picture Working Together 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. Sift and interviews will take place within 2 weeks of the advert closing. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. 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. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. 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. 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. Medical Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical. 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. 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 the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). 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 : Ben Phillips Email : Benjamin.Phillips105mod.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.