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Army Headquarters, Andover SP11 8HJ
Job Summary
The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 12,000 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. As such using data to aid understanding of our workforce is vital.
The Army’s Programmes Directorate brings together our key change programmes to ensure they are delivered to performance, cost and time. We are committed to Project, Programme & Portfolio Management (P3M) and delivery. From every item of basic equipment to the most ground-breaking technology imaginable, every new project brings outstanding possibilities and challenges, and we’ll ensure you’re equipped to succeed, with extensive training and development opportunities.
The Army is a diverse and varied place to work, we are currently recruiting Personal Assistants (PAs) to support to a number of Senior Principal's (Brigadier/Senior Civil Servants) across the Army TLB within the Strategic Headquarters in Andover, working at the forefront of Army Operations.
We will be looking to utilise a reserve list from this campaign. This means that high-calibre candidates may be contacted after the interview process to discuss similar opportunities in Army Programmes without the need to re-interview.
To carry out the entirety of this role you must be able to achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. Further information about security vetting please search UKSV on GOV.UK.
These positions are advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job Description
We are looking for motivated and highly organised professionals to join the Army Headquarters, providing direct support to our senior leaders.
The successful candidates will provide effective and efficient administrative support to senior principals across the Army and work as integral part of outer office support.
Ideally candidates will have experience in a similar role, in a professional service environment and have an ability to work proactively and as part of a team.
We adopt an agile approach to workforce allocation within Army Headquarters in order to align staff to our top priorities, so flexibility is key.
Main Responsibilities Include:
- Maintain and update electronic diaries, identifying and managing any conflicts, prioritising as appropriate.
- Arranging meetings and corporate events, booking in visitors, and undertaking all necessary administrative and IT procedures, including travel arrangement, prior to engagements/events.
- Collate and organise briefing information packs for meetings, boards or conferences as required and within the timescales set using MS Office tools such as OneNote and Outlook.
- Maintain effective electronic housekeeping and records management/retrieval processes, including safeguarding and handling of classified material in accordance with extant policy.
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Adhoc administrative tasks to support outer office staff, acting as a professional representative of the principal at all times.
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A sound understanding of the Microsoft 365 suite of products
- Previous experience in a PA position would be advantageous.
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Experience of delivering outputs at pace in a lively environment would be advantageous.
The successful candidates will provide effective and efficient administrative support to senior principals across the Army and work as integral part of outer office support.
Ideally candidates will have experience in a similar role, in a professional service environment and have an ability to work proactively and as part of a team.
We adopt an agile approach to workforce allocation within Army Headquarters in order to align staff to our top priorities, so flexibility is key.
Desirable:
- Previous experience in a PA position would be advantageous.
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Experience of delivering outputs at pace in a lively environment would be advantageous.
The successful candidate will be a rational and clear thinker, who can work well during periods of change.
You Will:
- Be self-motivated and highly organised and able to work well within a small team, whilst working collaboratively with the wider Army Headquarters
- Have strong interpersonal skills.
- Use sound judgement.
- Work quickly and concisely in order to meet demanding priorities.
- Have the ability to converse effectively with a range of stakeholders at all levels, both internal and external to the organisation.
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Maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times. Ensuring all information received by your Principal is managed and stored appropriately, applying and adhering to security classifications as appropriate.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
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Delivering at Pace
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
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Learning and Development
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.
Discover my benefits- outlines the range of benefits available to MOD Civil Servants.
A Great Place For Veterans To Work Scheme Which Was Introduced By The Government In 2020 Under The Veterans Strategy Action Plan Which Included The Commitment Of Making The Civil Service a Great Place To Work For Veterans. To Be Eligible For This Scheme In The Civil Service, Candidates Must Meet The Minimum Standard For The Role Being Applied For And:
- have served for at least one year in His Majesty’s Armed Forces (as a Regular or Reserve); this includes time spent training
- be in transition from, or ceased to be a member of, HM Armed Forces
- not already be a civil servant, or be employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body
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There is no maximum time limit from when you left HM Armed Forces to be eligible for this initiative
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.
At sift , you will be assessed against your CV and your Personal Statement.
Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history and previous skills and experience.
Candidates will be required to provide a Personal Statement (500 words max).
In no more than 500 words, please demonstrate your suitability for the role, aligned to the Main Responsibilities as follows:
- Maintain and update electronic diaries, identifying and managing any conflicts, prioritising as appropriate.
- Arranging meetings and corporate events, booking in visitors, and undertaking all necessary administrative and IT procedures, including travel arrangement, prior to engagements/events.
- Collate and organise briefing information packs for meetings, boards or conferences as required and within the timescales set using MS Office tools such as OneNote and Outlook.
- Maintain effective electronic housekeeping and records management/retrieval processes, including safeguarding and handling of classified material in accordance with extant policy.
-
Adhoc administrative tasks to support outer office staff, acting as a professional representative of the principal at all times.
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
-
Delivering at Pace
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: [email protected] .
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
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Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
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 : [email protected]
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Email : [email protected]
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Email : [email protected]
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: [email protected].
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