NAVY- Historical Researcher

at  Ministry of Defence

JOB SUMMARY

The Naval Historical Branch (NHB) uses specialist knowledge of historical and contemporary naval issues, in the context of a broader understanding of wider defence and security policy, to inform RN policy and strategy.
The Historical Researcher plays an important role in the team, using archival material held at the NHB and elsewhere to support delivery of casework, answering queries about the history of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines that come to the NHB from across the MoD and from the public, including Freedom of Information requests. The need to use the NHB archives means you will need to work in the NHB offices in HMNB Portsmouth regularly, but flexible working and some working from home may be possible after discussion with your line manager.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The role of the Historical Researcher is to act as a subject matter expert on Royal Navy and Royal Marines history, providing related advice and insight to the Naval Historical Branch (NHB) staff. The Historical Researcher is also responsible for providing information, insight and research to the Head of the NHB to support branch priorities. The post holder will:

• Work with archival and library materials held at the NHB and elsewhere as directed, to support the work of other members of the NHB team.
• Assess and present information on Royal Navy and Royal Marine history, including contemporary connections, for principal customers.
• Prepare reports, assessments and organise evidence as directed on Royal Navy topics, but also on wider naval and defence topics when required.
• Develop and maintain a network across relevant organisations, including effective liaison.
• Support external agencies with historical information and military insight.
• Work to bring people, processes, connectivity and technology together to maximise the NHB’s effectiveness and productivity.

BEHAVIOURS

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing

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.

• 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 employer contribution of 28.97%

As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference. Navy Command 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 Navy Command civil servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service.
• 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

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.
An apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through an apprenticeship you will gain professional knowledge, practical experience, and the broader skills required to upskill you in your current role and pave the way for your future career. Most of the training will be ‘on-the-job’, with the remaining ‘off-the-job’ training often delivered by a training provider. This means minimal disruption and maximum impact.
Professional qualifications can be achieved through an apprenticeship and range from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Levels), and Levels 4-7, which can give you a foundation degree, a full Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree.
Apprenticeships normally last between 12 months – 3 years, depending on the level of the apprenticeship.
Anyone can undertake an apprenticeship and everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from developing their skills in an accredited way.
Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this 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 know

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)

The role of the Historical Researcher is to act as a subject matter expert on Royal Navy and Royal Marines history, providing related advice and insight to the Naval Historical Branch (NHB) staff. The Historical Researcher is also responsible for providing information, insight and research to the Head of the NHB to support branch priorities. The post holder will:

• Work with archival and library materials held at the NHB and elsewhere as directed, to support the work of other members of the NHB team.
• Assess and present information on Royal Navy and Royal Marine history, including contemporary connections, for principal customers.
• Prepare reports, assessments and organise evidence as directed on Royal Navy topics, but also on wider naval and defence topics when required.
• Develop and maintain a network across relevant organisations, including effective liaison.
• Support external agencies with historical information and military insight.
• Work to bring people, processes, connectivity and technology together to maximise the NHB’s effectiveness and productivity