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 Royal School of Artillery(RSA) is the Royal Artillery Centre of Excellence and plays a key role in the development of Royal Artillery procedures and the continued training to deliver trained and motivated service personnel capable of operating the latest artillery systems. As well as teaching 100s of students per year we have around 650 Military and Civil Service personnel. A vacancy has arisen within the Royal School of Artillery for a motivated and driven individual to join the headquarters, to deliver business support to the headquarters team and wider ranging customers, and is an exciting opportunity to become a member of the team at Larkhill, where the Army trains all of its Artillery Soldiers and Officers.As the Business Support lead, you will be involved in a wide range of interesting areas of work, delivering challenging and varied business support workstreams. Does this sound like the role for you? If so, we would love to hear from you We actively encourage and welcome enquiries about the position. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job description The Business Support Lead is responsible for the delivery of the Business Support function to the Royal School of Artillery throughout the initiation, implementation and benefits realisation of business change initiatives and includes: Perform a cradle to grave function for all new initiatives requiring financial approval Act as the first point-of-contact for all RSA personnel engaging in business change activities providing procedural advice and guidance with specific focus on Simulation and Innovation Assist with the production of project related documentation such as the Statement of Requirement and Business Case, and to ensure best practice across RSA Collaborate closely with Land Warfare Centre (LWC) finance staff to ensure conformity to spending rules and approval processes for all RSA requests for funding Track and produce statistical data in relation to RSA finances in collaboration with LWC Salisbury Plain Shared Services Team Engage with Army Commercial to seek advice and ensure RSA adhere to all policy regarding procurement and contracting Monitor the benefits provided and assist the Business Support Manager through the implementation of benefits realisation by contributing towards the collection and analysis of data used for measurement against the Benefits Realisation Plan Monitor and record all activity/progress on the Business Support Wing project and business case trackers Contribute towards the collective knowledge and lessons learnt across the RSA on change processes, project management and related subjects Link with the LWC Programme Management Office (PMO) sharing information as appropriate and seeking their expertise as required Perform Low Value Purchasing Manager roles and responsibilities; including: issuing of cards, Letters of delegation and uplifts, ensuring due diligence and in accordance with policy 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 employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in attendance. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another MOD workplace, 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). DBS cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. Person specification We are looking for a Business Support Lead with excellent communication and influencing skills and the ability to collaborate with customers and stakeholders to deliver against various change initiatives, goals and targets. Essential: Strong communication skills, both verbal and written Strong planning and organisational skills with the ability to respond quickly to new demands and, managing competing priorities and tasks Competent in the use of Microsoft IT applications Desirable: Previous EPC/CP&F/Financial Skills would be advantageous but not essential as full training will be provided Previous Financial Planning experience (Military or Civilian) Experience in the support to Business Change arena. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Communicating and Influencing Working Together Making Effective Decisions Delivering at Pace We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Communicating and Influencing Working Together Benefits Alongside your salary of 36,530, Ministry of Defence contributes 10,582 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. 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. 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 personal statement of no more than 500 words demonstrating the skills and experience listed in the Person specification above, including any key responsibilities, achievements and relevant transferable skills. You will also be tested against the following behaviours - Communicating and Influencing 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. At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours - Communicating and Influencing Working Together Making Effective Decisions Delivering at Pace 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 Newcome Hall, Larkhill. 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 : Jacqueline Harvard Email : jacqueline.harvard126mod.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.