HMNB Devonport, Plymouth PL2 2BG Job Summary Defence Digital ensures our Armed Forces remain among the most technologically advanced in the world. We do this by putting innovative and effective technology into the hands of over 200,000 users, from the boardroom to the front line. We lead on cutting-edge data science, automation, and cyber security at scale. Our mission goes beyond the battlefield by leading humanitarian efforts and driving digital innovation that impacts lives across the globe. Defence Digital forms part of Strategic Command which manages the MOD’s joint capabilities for the Army, RAF, and Royal Navy. Watch to find out more about what we do. Passionate about using your skills to make a critical difference? Your next career move could be here. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job Description High Grade Messaging (HGM) sits within the UK Strategic Command, Defence Digital OPERATE J3 area and forms part of the team structure providing 24/7/365 service delivery, to a select customer base within the UK and overseas. As a Service Desk Analyst/Commcen Operator working in a Communications Centre (Commcen), you will be part of the team responsible for undertaking 24/7 management of a Message Handling System (MHS) and the Approach and Use at Commcen Plymouth. You’ll be part of a 16 person, 24/7, shift-working team, supporting the delivery of High-Grade Messaging (HGM) across defence, carrying out tasks as directed and advising of delays/issues in relation to the reception, delivery of formal signal messages, and maintaining controlled access to the Commcen. High Grade Messaging is being replaced by Military Messaging, with service Transition work already underway. Previous experience in ITIL Service Transition practices would be beneficial but not essential. We have fantastic learning and development programmes to gain externally recognised qualifications (such as ITIL and SFIA), as well as in-house training and mentor opportunities We’ll support your learning within your designated field and beyond, providing upskill options and further training to support your continuous professional development. Responsibilities On a day-to-day basis you can expect to be: Processing formal signal messages for input into our IT Message Handling System. Taking ownership of signals from originators via approved IT media, ensuring they conform to procedural rules. Recording and determining the transmission path and forward for preparation. Monitoring and vet out-of-hours signal traffic and call out where necessary. Responsible for ensuring the timely distribution of signal messages and precedence priority, including during silent hours. Managing the signal process by recording and distributing messages, according to protective marking and ‘Descriptors’, in accordance with current security regulations, whilst maintaining the protected document register within the agreed timescales. Monitoring and report message irregularities and equipment faults appropriately. Preparing the special handling signals or material for onward delivery by means of suitably cleared IT message handling systems, initiating service action as required to ensure the correct and timely handling. Managing the publication of instructions and guidance presented in Standing Orders, Security Orders, Operator Instructions, Local Orders and Communications Publications accordingly. Ensure the timely filling of all bid equipment at crypto key material changeovers and any corresponding accounting and destruction. Maintaining records of a controlled access to Commcen, in accordance with local instructions and requirements. Supporting the Commcen Manager by taking on additional roles such as Deputy Unit Security Officer / IT Security Officer / Terminal Area Security Officer, Assistant Health and Safety and Building Controller, as required. High Grade Messaging (HGM) sits within the UK Strategic Command, Defence Digital OPERATE J3 area and forms part of the team structure providing 24/7/365 service delivery, to a select customer base within the UK and overseas. As a Service Desk Analyst/Commcen Operator working in a Communications Centre (Commcen), you will be part of the team responsible for undertaking 24/7 management of a Message Handling System (MHS) and the Approach and Use at Commcen Plymouth. You’ll be part of a 16 person, 24/7, shift-working team, supporting the delivery of High-Grade Messaging (HGM) across defence, carrying out tasks as directed and advising of delays/issues in relation to the reception, delivery of formal signal messages, and maintaining controlled access to the Commcen. High Grade Messaging is being replaced by Military Messaging, with service Transition work already underway. Previous experience in ITIL Service Transition practices would be beneficial but not essential. We have fantastic learning and development programmes to gain externally recognised qualifications (such as ITIL and SFIA), as well as in-house training and mentor opportunities We’ll support your learning within your designated field and beyond, providing upskill options and further training to support your continuous professional development. On a Day-to-day Basis You Can Expect To Be Processing formal signal messages for input into our IT Message Handling System. Taking ownership of signals from originators via approved IT media, ensuring they conform to procedural rules. Recording and determining the transmission path and forward for preparation. Monitoring and vet out-of-hours signal traffic and call out where necessary. Responsible for ensuring the timely distribution of signal messages and precedence priority, including during silent hours. Managing the signal process by recording and distributing messages, according to protective marking and ‘Descriptors’, in accordance with current security regulations, whilst maintaining the protected document register within the agreed timescales. Monitoring and report message irregularities and equipment faults appropriately. Preparing the special handling signals or material for onward delivery by means of suitably cleared IT message handling systems, initiating service action as required to ensure the correct and timely handling. Managing the publication of instructions and guidance presented in Standing Orders, Security Orders, Operator Instructions, Local Orders and Communications Publications accordingly. Ensure the timely filling of all bid equipment at crypto key material changeovers and any corresponding accounting and destruction. Maintaining records of a controlled access to Commcen, in accordance with local instructions and requirements. Supporting the Commcen Manager by taking on additional roles such as Deputy Unit Security Officer / IT Security Officer / Terminal Area Security Officer, Assistant Health and Safety and Building Controller, as required. Person specification To Be Successful In This Role, You’ll Need An ITIL qualification or a willingness to work towards attainment. Experience in supporting a busy and diverse team and able to multitask and prioritise when faced with competing deadlines. Previous experience of messaging systems would be beneficial but not essential. Experience of service delivery and management of SLAs. Experience of managing a budget, expenditure and forecasting. Knowledge IT security. To be able to build and maintain strong working relationships. Great communication skills, both verbal and written. To be able to quickly assess information and make credible recommendations at pace. The successful applicants will be part of a 16-person team, which operates a 1 in 4 shift roster: 4 shifts on - 2 days, 2 nights, 4 days off pattern. Working hours: 24/7 shift work - 2 x 12-hour days, 2 x 12-hour nights, followed by 4 days off. All shifts will have mandatory start and finish times, details will be provided at the interview stage. There may be a requirement to travel to meetings or attend training courses within the UK. This job role is not suitable for hybrid working. If not already held, successful candidates will be required to undergo DV clearance. Please note, this position is open to sole UK Nationals only. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership Delivering at Pace Communicating and Influencing Working Together Making Effective Decisions Managing a Quality Service Alongside your salary of £26,235, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,600 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Our Benefits Include Learning and development tailored to your role with a dedicated minimum of 5 days per year 25 days paid annual leave rising (by 1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of five years’ service Ability to roll up to 10 days annual leave per year In addition to eight public holidays per year, you will also receive leave for HM The King’s birthday A Civil Service pension Parental and Adoption Leave Discounts on a range of services within and external to the civil service – Defence Discount Service, Civil Service societies for Sports and Leisure, Healthcare, Insurance, Motoring, Company discounts with Virgin, Vodafone, and Microsoft Office. In year rewards and ‘thank you’ schemes such as vouchers and gift cards A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity Find out more here - Discovermybenefits Equality and Diversity Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Defence Digital. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process if this is something you want to explore. Defence Digital operates an organisation model in which every individual belongs to a Government Profession. The successful applicant will be posted into one of the defined Government Professions on Standard Terms of Reference for the grade. Defence Digital reserves the right to move individuals between roles, within their allocated profession, to meet the needs of the business and in support of agile resourcing. Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions. 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. To apply, please complete the CV template provided on the CS Jobs dashboard. The sift will be conducted on your CV, assessed against your relevant skills, knowledge and experience for the role and on your personal statement, assessed against the essential criteria listed below. All applicants will also need to provide a personal statement (max. 1250 words), which must include evidence of the following essential criteria. Each one will be scored 1-7 and make up part of your overall score to assess your suitability to be invited to interview. Describe your experience of working within a service delivery, or similar, environment. Explain your experience of working as part of a team to deliver outcomes. Provide an example of when you have used your communication skills effectively in the workplace. Interviews We'll Assess You Against These Behaviours At Interview Leadership Delivering at Pace Communicating & Influencing Working Together Making Effective Decisions Managing a Quality Service 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. CANDIDATE INFORMATION Please read this document prior to completing your application. Please note: internal candidates must include their staff number when prompted during the application process. Should you have any queries relating to the vacancy information or sift and interview process, please contact the recruiting line manager using the contact details listed on the vacancy. Please do not direct vacancy related queries to the recruitment team as they will be unable to advise. FURTHER INFORMATION CV’s Should the selection process require a CV, you will be prompted to complete the required criteria during the application process. CV’s sent directly to the recruiting line manager will be deleted immediately to maintain anonymity. Civil Servants (all grades) Applicants should monitor their Civil Service Jobs application centre regularly for updates. Some of MoD’s Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) changed from 3 February 2014. Those TACOS changes applied to Broader Banded and Skill Zone staff who were new recruits to MoD or who were appointed to a post on substantive promotion, progression or advancement. On the same basis, the TACOS for Departmental Retained Grades changed with effect from 01 September 2014. Applicants should be aware that any move across the Civil Service on or after 5 October 2018 may have implications on an employee’s ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. Please see link below to Civil Service Recruitment Principles http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/RECRUITMENT-PRINCIPLES-April-2018-FINAL-.pdf Please see the MOD Privacy notice which informs how we will use your personal data, explains your rights and gives you information you are entitled to under Data Protection legislation. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-privacy-notice/mod-privacy-notice Non Civil Servants All employees joining MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 6-month probation period effective from the employment start date. COMPLAINTS Please be aware that the selection and interviewing of applicants is the responsibility of the Recruiting Line Manager (RLM) and not the Defence Business Services (DBS) Resourcing team. DBS does not play any part in the selection and interview process itself. Therefore, if you wish to discuss your feedback, or you are dissatisfied with your markings, you should in the first instance raise this with the Recruiting Line Manager of the vacancy. 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 FOR EXTERNAL VACANCIES 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 Cabinet Office Fraud Checks Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant whose details are found to be held on the IFD will be refused employment. 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 developed vetting (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 developed vetting (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 Open to UK nationals only. 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 : Defence Digital Talent Acquisition Team Email : ukstratcomdd-hr-talentacqdelmod.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.