HIVE Information Officer

at  Ministry of Defence

JOB SUMMARY

A highly motivated individual is required for the position of RAF HIVE Information Officer. This forward-facing position is advertised at 37 hours per week with standard business hours 0900 – 1700 hours, albeit a degree of flexibility in relation to delivering post output can be negotiated.
This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a HIVE Information Officer in the HIVE Service and RAF People & Families Support Team. Your responsibilities will be as described in this job advert. The reason why you are appointed for a fixed period is due to the closure of unit in 2026. This post will therefore begin on your appointment and end December 2026.
You should be aware that when your Fixed-term Appointment at MOD comes to an end, arrangements will be made in line with the FTA policy.
If you are a permanent MoD civil servant and are found successful for an advertised Fixed-term Appointment (FTA) you should move into the post under a Temporary Transfer (for up to a maximum of 23 months). At the end of the posting you will return to your previous MoD Business area. If this posting is at a higher grade, your promotion will be temporary, and you will return to your substantive grade at the end of the Temporary Transfer. If a Temporary Transfer cannot be agreed between all parties then a transfer on an FTA contract is possible, read the FTA and Change of Work Location in the UK policy for further information.
If you are transferring to MoD from another government department (OGD) you should join the MoD on an inward loan. At the end of the loan you will return to your home (OGD) department. If a loan cannot be agreed between all parties then a transfer on an FTA contract is possible, read the FTA policy for further information.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

SUMMARY

The network of RAF HIVEs, serves as a vital point of contact for service personnel and their families, whether they live on or away from the unit.
RAF HIVEs are the focal point in providing an extensive range of information and support services, covering areas such as relocation, accommodation, deployment support, health and wellbeing, employment and training opportunities, and early years and education. They play a crucial role in supporting our people and their families by offering timely and accurate information and assistance.
In addition to these services, RAF HIVEs also help address issues of isolation and communication among dispersed families and fostering connections through digital platforms, HIVEs ensure that even those who are geographically separated from the main unit feel supported and connected.
As the main source of support on larger units, the RAF HIVE Service is an integral part of the RAF People & Families and Welfare Support team, dedicated to looking after service personnel and their families.
A fundamental part of this role will involve liaising with both internally and externally, therefore stakeholders, therefore an ability to build and maintain positive relationships is essential. The HIO will work closely with RAF Henlow’s Service Community Support Officer and will be responsible for various RAF Henlow Community-related tasks including administration, facilities management, communications, and facilitating community station events and meeting this involves internal and external engagement as required.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This post is a customer focused position providing customer excellence.
As the holder of the position of RAF HIVE Information Officer (HIO) you will be responsible for:
Under the umbrella of HIVE, acting as the unit’s/station’s focal point to provide the whole Service community, including RAF reserves, with current and relevant information on behalf of the Chain of Command, Command Staff, RAF HIVE Management Team, MoD and external agencies.
Be the focal point for local information support to the whole Service community and provide feedback on issues of interest to the unit/s and RAF HIVE Management Team (HMT).
Assist in the provision of operational deployment support, by providing RAF HIVE Deployment Support Information to deployed personnel and their families.
Offering a confidential signposting service to welfare and other professional support agencies.
Host and comply with HMT Assurance visits and requests associated with those visits.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

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

• Microsoft 0365 ability.
• Presentation skills.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £24,985, Ministry of Defence contributes £6,745 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

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 Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

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
• 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)

RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary duties of the role include, but are not limited to;
Assess and respond to the specific information needs of the whole Service community in conjunction with the unit/station and HMT through diligent research in the form of RAF HIVE Information booklets, RAF HIVE Bulletins and RAF HIVE social media platforms.
Respond to all enquiries from the Service community in a professional and timely manner.
In consultation with Station People & Families Support team, liaise and network with key Service and local civilian agencies to source and deliver information relevant to the local community.
Work with the local unit/station and the HIVE Management Team to deliver the RAF HIVE Operational Deployment Package.
Act as a point of referral for confidential customer enquiries to the appropriate agencies working within the RAF HIVE Code of Confidentiality.
Ensure a high standard presentation for information displayed and communicated to the Service community with RAF HIVE branding.
Respond to any new information support needs of the local Service community as directed by the local chain of command and the HMT.