Bristol Job Summary Looking for a role with real-world impact? The Military Aviation Authority within the Ministry of Defence have an exciting role entrusted with the delivery of Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS)capability and other cutting-edge technology to the end users. UAS were previously known as RPAS Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems. The MAA are the military equivalent to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The successful applicant will be a member of Operating Assurance Group’s, Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) branch. As the lead Desk Officer for small UAS providing assurance and regulatory support, they will be accountable to the UAS Head of Branch. You can learn more about the Military Aviation Authority on our website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/military-aviation-authority This position is advertised at 37 hours per week and is based at MOD Abbey Wood North. Job Description The successful candidate will join a highly knowledgeable team, where we ensure the UAS Categorization Process is applied consistently between all parties. We also engage frequently with the Regulated Community, offering advice relating to the procurement and operations of associated Air Systems, covering Remotely Piloted, Autonomous, and Swarming platforms. The key responsibilities of the UAS Branch include; We offer support to the procurement cycle for new capabilities coming into service. We coordinate and progress Categorisation submissions and issue Letters of Endorsed Categorization. We provide support, Surveillance and Oversight on behalf of the MAA for all Duty Holders and Responsible Officers operating UAS in the Defence Air Environment. We provide oversight of UAS Air Safety by monitoring routine and specialist UAS operations alongside auditing designated organisations and assets. As Defences Aviation Regulator, we own Military Regulatory Publications and ensure that they are current and fit for purpose. We all support the leadership and development of UAS section personnel. The successful candidate will join a highly knowledgeable team, where we ensure the UAS Categorization Process is applied consistently between all parties. We also engage frequently with the Regulated Community, offering advice relating to the procurement and operations of associated Air Systems, covering Remotely Piloted, Autonomous, and Swarming platforms. The key responsibilities of the UAS Branch include; We offer support to the procurement cycle for new capabilities coming into service. We coordinate and progress Categorisation submissions and issue Letters of Endorsed Categorization. We provide support, Surveillance and Oversight on behalf of the MAA for all Duty Holders and Responsible Officers operating UAS in the Defence Air Environment. We provide oversight of UAS Air Safety by monitoring routine and specialist UAS operations alongside auditing designated organisations and assets. As Defences Aviation Regulator, we own Military Regulatory Publications and ensure that they are current and fit for purpose. We all support the leadership and development of UAS section personnel. Person specification Essential Criteria UAS Exposure: Interest in UAS is Essential. Dynamic Portfolio Management: Showcase experience in efficiently managing and prioritising a diverse range of activities, with the agility to shift focus promptly. Stakeholder Engagement Proficiency: Illustrate expertise in engaging with a diverse set of stakeholders to build collaborative relationships. Strong Communication Aptitude: Exhibit effective written and verbal communication skills tailored for senior stakeholders. Desirable Criteria UAS Exposure: Recent or current experience with UAS is highly desirable. This may be either a current UAS operator, or wider air awareness (including as Air Crew, Air Operations, Engineering, Air Safety and Trails and Evaluation), or as an enthusiastic hobbyist. Familiarity with UAS operations in the Defence Air Environment is also highly desirable. Proven Policy Influence: Demonstrate a successful history of shaping policy and regulations. Adaptability in Regulation: Display familiarity with regulatory frameworks and a knack for adjusting to changing requirements. Engagement with Military Entities: Experience engaging with UK Military and Defence Organisations. Beneficial Categorization Insight: Experience of the MAA Uncrewed Air System Categorization process. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Managing a Quality Service Delivering at Pace Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Managing a Quality Service 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 MAA offers flexible working arrangements 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% An opportunity to be considered for Reward and Recognition - £250-£5000 per year. 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. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. 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. How To Apply As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following: A name-blind CV including your job history and skills and experience, which should cover up to a maximum of your last 3 roles. Give a brief summary of what you delivered and any key achievements in each role (max 100 words per role). A 500-word personal statement detailing how you meet the essential criteria in the job advert. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. 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. We acknowledge that AI can assist you in your application. Find our guidelines here. Sift At the sift stage, you'll be assessed on your CV, Personal Statement and the lead Behaviour: Managing a Quality Service In the event of a large number of applications being received, the sift may be held on your CV. Interview At the interview stage, you’ll be assessed against your CV/Personal Statement and the following success profiles Behaviours: Making Effective Decisions Managing a quality service Delivering at pace Communicating and Influencing Interviews will take place in person where possible. 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. 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 : Mr Chris Woods Email : DSA-MAA-RPAS-MDTGroupmod.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.