Job description
Job summaryAt Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for todays challenges and tomorrows opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navys readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.
As the authority responsible for generating the Royal Navys operational capability, Director Force Generation ensures ships, submarines, aviation, commando forces, and supporting elements achieve the required levels of readiness. By balancing capability, risk, and operational demand, the directorate provides assured force output and acts as the Fleets scheduling authority, ensuring the Royal Navy can deliver whenever and wherever required.
You'll be based at HMNB Portsmouth, one of the oldest and busiest naval bases in the world. It is home to the Royal Navys aircraft carriers (HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales) alongside destroyers, frigates, and specialist squadrons. As a vibrant hub of maritime power and innovation, Portsmouth sustains the Fleet and supports thousands of personnel.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job descriptionAre you an experienced Quality professional with a passion for excellence in maritime defence? If so, we have an inspiring opportunity for you to join Navy Command. In return, we offer stability, career progression, and access to world-class training and development. Step into a role where your work truly matters, ensuring the Royal Navy remains ready, resilient, and capable of protecting the UKs interests at sea.
Naval Base Commander Portsmouth (NBC(P)) provides an armoury facility to support large lodger units at readiness and individual personnel to deploy into conflict areas with individual personal weapon systems. This facility also supports front line units conducting continuation training whilst alongside in HMNBP. This role is operate and manage the armoury in HMS NELSON conducting appropriate maintenance routines of all small arms to ensure 85% availability across all weapon outfits; to manage the correct issue and receipt of all weapons and ancillaries (including timely preparation, delivery and collection of assets to and from the airhead); to remain up to date on weapons maintenance policy and procedure such that routine inspections and assurance visits by both Navy Command and Small Arms School Corps are successful and assure Command; to monitor AinU levels; to compile timely and accurate assessments of equipment; to manage and control all weapon outfits, including Specialist Tools and Testing Equipment (STTE); and to maintain and prepare 3lb saluting platforms at 6 hours notice to fire in direct support of national events as a Primary Saluting Station. This last element of the role means that a driving licence is desirable to allow for short notice recall to site to conduct weapon preps for firing.
Flexible or condensed working patterns can be considered. However, due to security requirements, this position is not suitable for hybrid working. Applicants are encouraged to discuss working pattern options with the recruiting manager before applying.
Person specification- Knowledge of small arms maintenance policy and processes, Understanding of issue, receipt, and tracking of equipment between units.
Demonstrate an equivalent level of technical competence and weapons engineering experience.
Able to work independently with minimal supervision, Confident leading or directing personnel when required, able to engage with personnel of all ranks professionally and without bias.
Competent in Microsoft tools (SharePoint, Teams, Office) and Able to learn and operate bespoke systems (e.g. MyHR, JAMES). - Full UK Driving Licence
- Applicants must hold a recognised advanced weapons maintenance qualification, either as a WES719B Small Arms Advanced Maintainer (Royal Navy) or Class 1 Armourer (Army or RM).
LicencesFull UK Driving Licence
QualificationsApplicants must hold a recognised advanced weapons maintenance qualification, either as a WES719B Small Arms Advanced Maintainer (Royal Navy) or Class 1 Armourer (Army or RM).
Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Making Effective Decisions
BenefitsAlongside your salary of 26,390, Ministry of Defence contributes 7,645 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years service
Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
Personal & professional development
Alternative working patterns for many roles
Access to a confidential, professional support service
Discount schemes
Bicycle / season-ticket loans
Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
Special paid leave to volunteer (up to 6 days a year)
HMNB Portsmouth combines strong community spirit with convenient facilities, It offers an impressive range of on-site facilities including a gymnasium, and other sporting facilities, cafes, Barbers, shops, Welfare garage and free car parking spaces.
In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and youll be supported through your learning journey and your career. This can include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.
Youll have access to a variety of qualifications pathways ranging from GCSE/A-Level equivalent all the way up to masters degree, depending on your role, your previous skills and your experience. Some qualifications even include on-the-job training which means minimal disruption to your working day but maximum impact.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements 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 Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to knowArtificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
As part of Defence Reform, Navy Command continues to review and evolve its Target Operating Model to support more agile ways of working. In this context, the role and responsibilities of this role may develop over time to reflect changing business priorities and opportunities.
Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.
Personal Statement: Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. (500 word count)
At
sift , candidates will be assessed against their CV, Statement of suitability and the following:
Behaviours:
- Making Effective Decisions
In the event of a high volume of applications, only the lead Success Profile will be assessed at sift. The Lead Success Profile for this campaign is Making Effective Decisions
At
interview , candidates will be assessed against the following:
Behaviours:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
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.
There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.
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. 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.
The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.
The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.
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
CVs
Should the selection process require a CV, you will be prompted to complete the required criteria during the application process. CVs 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 MoDs 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 employees 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:
[email protected] 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.
SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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 requirementsThis 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 ServiceThe 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 InclusionThe 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) .
Apply and further informationThis 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 :
Recruitment team
Further informationPlease 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 youremaindissatisfied 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].
Attachments Navy Candidate Attraction Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 7954kB) Defence Civil Service Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB) Navy Candidate Information Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 1513kB) Defence Internal Brief Notice.doc Opens in new window (docx, 330kB)