JOB SUMMARY

Do you wish to explore, investigate, analyse data, and ask questions to support military end users and improve UK Military capability. Do you enjoy problem solving? If so, this is for you!
The Air and Space Warfare Centre (ASWC) Operational Research Branch (ORB) provides high quality, impartial and operationally focussed scientific, analytical and technical advice to enhance the warfighting capability of all elements of UK air and space power.
ASWC 56 Test & Evaluation Sqn is tasked with delivering assured capability to the ISTAR Force elements, which are key operational enablers.
As an HEO/C2 Operational Analyst (OA), you will support the analytical effort, with responsibilities for design, execution and evidence collection for trials, analysing results and reporting insights.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The 56 Sqn OA Wide Area Surveillance (WAS) 1 post will support 56 Squadrons analytical requirements, primarily in test execution and analysis of complex airborne and ground based ISTAR systems, which are key Operational enablers. The RAF ISTAR Force elements are currently flying daily missions in multiple theatres and there is an on-going increasing requirement for analytical support. Similarly, the development of PROTECTOR RPAS and introduction of systems such as P8 POSEIDON and E7 WEDGETAIL requires specialist support to ensure operational data will be exploited effectively and that Test and Evaluation (T&E) activities are planned successfully along with associated models and tools to support these systems. Analysis of past ISTAR systems by OA staff has provided evidence-based recommendations which have led to significant capability enhancements.

Supporting 56 Sqn T&E activities as delegated by 56 Sqn OA WAS involves many technical aspects including:

• Preparation of trial aim and objectives.
• Determining suitable metrics and data requirements.
• Designing suitable test point matrices.
• Assisting with the development of test profiles and procedures.
• Monitoring data collection and reduction.
• Applying suitable and valid mathematical data analysis techniques.
• Presentation of results through scientific reports and briefing material.

You will also:
Develop, verify, validate and document toolsets for the processing and analysis of ISTAR T&E data whilst mentoring other team members on their effective use.
Develop an understanding and provide specialist advice on ISTAR systems performance and employment.
Support future capability development, including tactical development. (in conjunction with other organisations such as Dstl, DE&S, 92 Sqn and the RCO)
Liaise with other elements of the ASWC, MoD, government and the defence industry, to benchmark and validate TES technical methods whilst remaining current on scientific techniques and procedures.

EXPERIENCE – ESSENTIAL:

• Practical experience of applying a range of scientific and technical methods to solve problems, analyse data, and conduct research.
• Experience of working as part of a team.
• Experience of clearly communicating analytical results to a range of technical and non-technical audiences, through technical reports and presentations.
• Experience of technical evaluation/analysis/ statistical techniques

EXPERIENCE – DESIRABLE:

• Knowledge and experience of the MOD and Defence environment.
• Experience of trials conduct/trials management.
• Experience in the T&E of air systems, including flight test and/or synthetic environments.
• Experience with coding of data processing tools using a common computer language such as Matlab, Python or VBA.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in a scientific, engineering, or other numerical subject.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Achieving impact with analysis
• Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Achieving impact with analysis

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.
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- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
- Holiday Entitlement - 25-day annual leave allowance per year increasing by 1 day per year (maximum 30 days per year). In addition, 8 statutory Bank Holidays and 1 privilege day per year. MoD recognises the diverse religious origins within its workforce and seeks to accommodate individual leave requirements.
- Special Paid Leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year.
- Flexible Working - Full time staff will work 37 hours a week but have some flexibility of when they complete these hours. It is also possible to work part time. There are a variety of working patterns used by staff in MoD such as: hybrid, reduced hours, compressed hours, and term time working.
- Learning & Development - MoD aims to provide its civilian staff with 5 days a year of Learning & Development (L&D) tailored to your role, delivered through a combination of high-quality training courses and informal opportunities.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- Access to retail and service discounts.
- Health and Wellbeing – we offer staff the use of the onsite gymnasium facilities with annual membership on par with commercial monthly ones.
- Support accreditation with professional institutionsThe 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 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.An opportunity to be considered for Reward and Recognition - £550-£2000 per year.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 MOD 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.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Achieving impact with analysis
• Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques
  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:

Behaviour:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Achieving impact with analysis
• Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques
  Post is reserved for UK Nationals only.
  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 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-Resourcingteam3@mod.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. 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.
  Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

Open to UK nationals only.

Analytical
Engineering
Operational Research
Science