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 Land Warfare Centre (LWC) is responsible for the delivery of military trade and collective training (UK and overseas) focused on ensuring our military personnel are appropriately prepared to meet their operational commitments in response to the needs of the Field Army. To achieve this there are 6 Operational Groups under the command of the Director Land Warfare (DLW). The training schools achieve their objectives through a combination of MoD trainers (military and civilian) and Industry partners under contract. The LWC Business Centre supports the LWC Headquarters and respective training schools in ensuring that military training is delivered to the best effect. It delivers programmes to help improve training. It also provides recommendations regarding future adjustments to LWCs business through the strategic oversight, governance, effective delivery, and performance management of key outputs across LWCs portfolio of programmes, projects and business outputs. The Performance Management function within the Business Centre provides strategic management of some of LWCs most complex and important contracts through centralised management of performance metrics. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job description This role provides an exciting opportunity to lead a team managing business critical, high-risk contracts that require the most significant oversight and senior staff engagement. As the post holder you will immediately gain a substantial insight into military training and understanding how the contract supports training. Workingalongside military and civilian personnel, playing a pivotal role in leading all aspects of contract performance to support Individual and Collective training. The role will involve contract management, governance, Subject Matter Expert input, support to future procurement and financial management and scrutiny of contract usage. We actively seek to provide an inclusive working environment which gets the best from every member of our team. We recognise team members for their dedication and integrity. We seek and encourage diversity of thought, background, experience, and approach. Key responsibilities will include: Day to day contract management in line with current processes and practices, working with the supplier and customers to ensure contracted performance targets are met Provide contract advice as the Subject Matter Expert to customers with various seniority across the MOD Monitor resource management of the contracts (forecasting, allocation of resources, and tracking of allocated budget vs expenditure) Chairing of performance reviews and attendance at contract governance boards, collating meetings packs Management of contract risk and issues Review of customer satisfaction levels, working with all stakeholders to identify and drive continuous improvement, to maximise value for money for the life of the contract Review of Learning from Experience opportunities, ensuring key themes are gathered and in accordance with policy Regular engagement with supplier to outline issues and discuss resolution. Managing and supervising remedial actions where identified Production / review of contract guides, ensuring implementation across the customer community with regular engagement sessions Carrying out line management responsibilities Developing yourself and your team members and sharing your knowledge with others Person specification We are looking with individuals with the following attributes, skills, and experience: Strong contract and performance management skills and experience Proven leadership skills Strong communicator, able to engage with an array of stakeholders and be confident in having complex discussions Experience of leading a team Able to work independently, with a proactive approach to the work that you and your wider team will be delivering A flexible and a collaborative approach, adapting to changing priorities and workloads and supporting the wider team as required Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Seeing the Big Picture Changing and Improving Making Effective Decisions Leadership Communicating and Influencing Managing a Quality Service We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Seeing the Big Picture Making Effective Decisions 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 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. 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. 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 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 including your job history and previous skills and experience. You will also need to provide a personal statement of no more than 750 words which should cover the following: Evidence of how you have worked collaboratively as a member of a team and built strong working relationships with colleagues, including those at a level more senior to you Evidence of your experience in contract / performance management including where analysis of data has driven decisions Evidence of stakeholder engagement, including where they may have been challenges You will also be assessed against the following behaviours - Seeing the bigger picture Making effective decisions At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours Changing and improving Leadership Communicating and influencing Managing a quality service Sifting is due to take place within 7 working days of the closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed. A minimum of 2 full working days notice will be provided for interviews. We endeavour to stick to these dates, but these are subject to change around business needs. 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. 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 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. 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 : Joanne Swabey Email : Joanne.Swabey100mod.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.