JOB SUMMARY

Founded in 1927 and based in the heart of London, the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) is the senior college within the UK Defence Academy. Every year, RCDS educates 100+ senior military officers, diplomats, civilian officials, parliamentarians and industrialists from nearly 50 countries, in the art and science of strategy-making and leadership. We are now looking for a new member of the Directing Staff to join our Global Strategy Programme design and delivery team.
The Global Strategy Programme (GSP) is an 11-month course which concentrates on the wide range of factors that relate to national, regional and global stability, security and prosperity at the grand strategic level. The purpose of the course is to equip graduates with greater understanding of the international strategic context, to be skilled in strategic analysis and strategy formulation, and to able to work intuitively across national, cultural and ideological boundaries so as to lead or contribute to developing strategy at the very highest level.
Reporting to the Head of the GSP, the Directing Staff comprises 9 positions working across the College’s output areas. We are responsible for designing a stimulating programme, and we work closely across Whitehall, the UK, and internationally to facilitate the delivery of world-renowned strategy education. If you are a team player, intellectually curious, highly organised and collaborative, and enjoy working in a fast-paced, cosmopolitan environment, this course design and delivery role could be for you.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

JOB DESCRIPTION

As one of 6 SEO Directing Staff (DS), each Course Design & Delivery Lead has a variable and interchangeable portfolio which covers the detailed design, delivery and programming of elements of the GSP across an academic year, under the guidance of SCS or military Senior Directing Staff.
The portfolio includes responsibility for designing major course components including seminars, lectures, strategy case studies, strategic leadership talks, study visits both in the UK and overseas, and strategy exercises (week-long dynamic role-play political simulation events).
You will undertake independent research, analysis and engagement across Whitehall and academia to identify new intellectual approaches, build new partnerships and drive innovation in the design of course components. You will lead on the detailed drafting of lecture specifications and the identification and arrangement of suitable external expert speakers from the world’s best universities, think tanks, journalism, NGOs, international organisations, governments and the private sector. You will oversee those course elements you design and be responsible for the administration and logistics for the day-to-day running of the course. You will also assess feedback from Members (students) and staff to inform future planning. Please note, this is not a teaching role.

Working closely with external organisations such as NGOs, private sector companies, military units, local government, embassies and high commissions, you will also have a leading role in the planning, project management, governance, practical organisation and delivery of educational study tours such as:

• EU and NATO (Brussels);
• UN and IGOs (Geneva);
• UK industry and technology centres;
• A UK Study Tour;
• A three-week Overseas Study Tour (OST) to 2 or 3 different countries in specific regions (e.g. Middle East, West Africa, Europe, or East Asia).

In executing an OST, you will undertake three weeks of detached duty each May/June, working very long days, which could be in a challenging or austere environment. The OSTs are one of the most rewarding aspects of the GSP.

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.

• London weighting allowance of £3,300 per annum.
• 25 days’ paid annual leave, rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service. If you have previously completed service in the Public Sector within the past 5 years, you may be eligible to request 30 days’ leave immediately. If this is the case, evidence will be required.
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options (subject to the requirements of the academic calendar)
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• On-site restaurant
• (Optional) Mess membership

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.

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)
• 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

TYPE OF ROLE

Administration / Corporate Support
Education and Training
Operational Delivery

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the guidance of the Head of the GSP, to lead on the delivery of a designated course module of the GSP. Draft the relevant documentation for Course Committee approval, plan the structure of the modules and produce the module programme, being cognisant of emerging trends and issues that need to be covered. You will also liaise with the Course Committee and the Director of Academic Studies to agree seminar topics and questions.
• To research, identify and engage high-calibre subject matter expert speakers to meet the objectives for the term/module lectures, panels and case studies. Ensure seamless delivery of these serials. Pro-actively build and maintain a network of contacts, and work both collaboratively and inclusively.
• Agree questions for the weekly Course Member surveys and, on completion of the surveys, review and assess feedback to inform the continuous improvement process of the entire course.
• Plan, deliver and accompany UK external activities. Programme all serials, and book and oversee budget for travel and accommodation, liaising with the Tour Leader and the regional hosts to ensure seamless delivery of the tour programme within the allocated budget.
• Plan, deliver and accompany one of the three-week Overseas Study Tours. Work closely with embassies and high commissions to develop the visit objectives, intellectual content and programme, project manage and accompany the tour to meet learning objectives, acting as the focal point with all external organisations. Identify potential costs and ensure the tour remains within the agreed budget.
• Other responsibilities as required. These could include developing and ensuring the successful delivery of Strategy Case Studies, Strategy Exercises or additional classroom or visit-based learning for the current GSP and future iterations.

Working closely with external organisations such as NGOs, private sector companies, military units, local government, embassies and high commissions, you will also have a leading role in the planning, project management, governance, practical organisation and delivery of educational study tours such as:

• EU and NATO (Brussels);
• UN and IGOs (Geneva);
• UK industry and technology centres;
• A UK Study Tour;
• A three-week Overseas Study Tour (OST) to 2 or 3 different countries in specific regions (e.g. Middle East, West Africa, Europe, or East Asia)