JOB SUMMARY

Do you want to analyse, shape and enhance RN frontline tactics?
The Operational Advantage Centre’s (OAC) – Operational Reconstruction & Analysis (ORA) team is tasked with undertaking scientifically rigorous and objective analysis of Royal Navy Operations, Exercises and Trials.
A blended military and civilian team, ORA’s remit is to analyse, identify and inject lessons and insights to frontline RN units, utilising evidence-based processes with strict adherence to a Just Culture methodology.
ORA promulgates what went well, identifies what could be improved and provides mitigations and recommendations to support the air, surface and subsurface domains. The team also provides evidence towards assurance requirements for Senior Leaders.
The position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The ORA team is proficient in undertaking operational reconstruction & analysis and each tranche (ORA 1, ORA 2 & ORA 3) has a specialisation. The ORA 1 tranche specialises in operational assurance.
We are looking for enthusiastic, scientifically and technically minded individuals, who are capable of integrating with frontline military colleagues to gather, prepare and analyse a plethora of datasets, fuse findings with additional information streams and impart information to a varied and diverse audience.
The role offers the opportunity to work directly alongside the RN frontline, both ashore and potentially deploying for short periods on RN or Allied platforms.
This role will require development of relationships with Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST), Joint Tactical and Exercise Planning Staff (JTEPS), NATO In-stride Debrief Team (NATO IDT) and equivalent organisations across NATO & Allied partners, including AUKUS.
Note - All OAC analysts have the option to deploy with the Royal Navy on exercises and operations. Whether off the coast of Japan or in the Fjords of Norway, our analysts provide key evidence to support military commanders. This aspect of the role is completely optional (requirements apply in some circumstances such as attaining an ENG-1 certificate) however, these are unique & rewarding experiences work that also attract additional allowances.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

You will use, understand, modify, and improve software tools to conduct analysis in support of operations, exercises and trials. You will be able to work within dynamic military/civilian teams and be able to operate autonomously with appropriate direction and mentorship. You will be able to link technical capabilities with tactical requirements and be able to clearly articulate this information to a range of academic and military personnel.
The outputs of your work will directly influence operational and tactical behaviours.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Operational Analysis
• Geospatial Analysis
• Data science/engineering
• Application of scientific knowledge and analytical findings to advise frontline decision makers.
• Communication of sophisticated information to a varied audience.

We are looking for candidates with academic and/or professional experience of providing analytical output independently or as part of a team. While previous experience in Defence or the maritime domain is not essential, it is expected the applicant will have applicable skills in one or more of the following areas:

• Operational analysis/operational research
• Data science/data engineering
• Trials planning and management
• Intelligence analysis
• Using the scientific process to generate evidence.
• Using evidence to support or make informed decisions.

Skills and Experience

Essential:

• A degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience
• High level of IT literacy and data management skills.
• Experience in the application of scientific and/or analytical techniques.
• Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn

Other desirable experience:

• Experience of technical or scientific work in relation to the maritime domain.
• Knowledge and experience of the MOD and Defence environment.
• Experience in programming in any widely-used programming language. The ORA team’s policy is aimed towards open-source languages).

Further note:
Whilst Operational analysis (OA) / Operational Research (OR), is an applied subject area that draws on scientific and advanced analytical methods to solve military problems, it is recognised that the ORA team’s operating environment is a relatively unique one.
As a result, we are a broad range of scientific, engineering, and analytical practitioners with a range of backgrounds. We celebrate this diversity.
We do not expect candidates to meet all the desirable criteria. We will consider all candidates who meet the essential criteria. We will provide training, tutoring and mentoring to ensure that you can develop your own abilities within the role.

QUALIFICATIONS

A degree-level qualification in a mathematical or scientific discipline.

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 up-skill 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.
Our site in Fareham also offers an impressive range of on-site facilities including a gymnasium, swimming pool, and other sporting facilities, a children’s nursery, a bistro restaurant, a shop, and plenty of car parking spaces.
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.
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NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

Open to UK nationals only.

TYPE OF ROLE

Analytical
Defence Operations
Operational Research
Science
Statistics

Typical responsibilities include:

• Operational Analysis
• Geospatial Analysis
• Data science/engineering
• Application of scientific knowledge and analytical findings to advise frontline decision makers.
• Communication of sophisticated information to a varied audience