Specialist Instructional Officer (Information & Communication Technology),

at  Ministry of Defence

JOB SUMMARY

Number 1 Radio School (No.1 RS) is the home of training for the Royal Air Force (RAF) Cyberspace Profession and foremost provider of technical education to the Service’s Information & Communications Technology (ICT) specialists, in addition to selected Royal Navy, British Army, civilian and international military personnel.
Structured under the Defence School of Communications & Information Systems (DSCIS) within the Defence College of Technical Training (DCTT), No.1 RS is a historic and venerable military training institution whose origins in the field of communications education can be traced back in excess of 100 years.
As the school embarks-upon a second century of excellence, its ‘whole force’ military/Civil Service workforce blend are pivotal to the development of ICT training delivery to meet the significant demands of information-centric 5th-generation RAF platforms and capabilities. In doing so, their approach and commitment to public service remains fully commensurate with No.1 RS’ legendary motto: Thorough.
No.1 RS trains officers, aviators, soldiers, sailors and civilians in cyberspace capabilities at RAF Cosford and RAF Digby. Each year, the School typically develops 1300 Phase 3 (pre-employment/career) trainees, 300 Phase 2 (initial technical training) officer/aviator trainees and students undergoing a cyberspace engineering foundation degree pathway.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the School at a crucial juncture in its evolution. There is currently a vacancy for a Specialist Instructional Officer (SIO), who deliver ICT technical training to a breadth of trainees at No.1 RS.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

JOB DESCRIPTION

No.1 RS trainers are a ‘whole-force’ mix of Armed Services (predominantly RAF) and Civil Service instructors/lecturers, who deliver world-class technical training to a broad audience of trainees across a varied ICT curriculum.
SIOs deliver ICT technical training to trainees who are either beginning their Service careers or undertaking training for specific roles they are due to be assigned into.

Specific duties of a No.1 RS SIO include:

• The delivery of ICT technical training in accordance with established governance frameworks and line management direction.
• Monitoring student performance and engaging with Trainee Development Co-ordinators as required.
• Reviewing and developing course content and learning material, including the creation or enhancement of Virtual Learning Environment content.
• Participation in Learning Assessment & Support and continuous professional development activity, in support of school and college transformational priorities.

SIO roles are incredibly interesting and rewarding opportunities for dedicated and focused civil servants to shape and nurture the next generation of Service ICT specialists and enhance the skill sets of personnel returning to No.1 RS for additional learning.
Subjects taught by No.1 RS SIOs include:

Subjects requiring SIO security clearance at the ‘Security Check – SC’ level:

• Cyber Security
• Cryptography / Secure Communications
• Airfield Support Teams

Subjects requiring SIO security clearance at the ‘Baseline – BPSS’ level:

• CISCO IT Essentials
• CISCO Introduction to Networks
• MS Server
• MS Power Platform
• Databases
• Linux
• Python programming
• Data communications theory
• Engineering principles
• Radio and satellite communication principles
• Scheduled and unscheduled system maintenance
• Installation and manufacture fundamentals for both copper and fibre optic networks
• Test and measurement equipment
• Trade skills/tools.

The advertised role is for a Defence Trainer to deliver Cryptography / Secure Communications training therefore experience in this would be highly desirable. However, experience in any of the listed ICT disciplines will be considered.
Any additional relevant ICT sector experience held by applicants should be articulated within their CV and Statement of Suitability, for consideration by the selection panel.
Please note that SIOs are also responsible for supporting the creation, maintenance and updating of course documentation and functional training equipment.
Further ICT SIO vacancies may arise at No.1 RS over the coming year and a reserve list is intended to be compiled to support this eventuality.

QUALIFICATIONS

As per the MOD Specialist Instructional Officer (SIO) Professional Group Management Practices Document (attached) the following skills and experience are required for entry into the cadre:
The entry requirements to the SIO Group are that candidates should have served a recognised apprenticeship or a relevant alternative period of training and to have obtained a relevant National Qualification. Candidates for training subjects where specific formal qualifications do not exist will be considered provided that they have undergone appropriate training for that trade or subject. Additionally, candidates must have at least 5 years relevant practical experience in that trade or specialism.

BEHAVIOURS

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving
• Developing Self and Others

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,580, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,569 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%
• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• In addition to 8 public holidays per year, MOD civil servants also receive a privilege day for HM The King’s Birthday
• Maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Access to RAF Cosford sport and leisure facilities, subject to completion of the local registration/induction process and payment of an annual fee
• Excellent / easily-accessible road and rail links
• Free on-site car parking
• On-site shop/café facilities

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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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)

Specific duties of a No.1 RS SIO include:

• The delivery of ICT technical training in accordance with established governance frameworks and line management direction.
• Monitoring student performance and engaging with Trainee Development Co-ordinators as required.
• Reviewing and developing course content and learning material, including the creation or enhancement of Virtual Learning Environment content.
• Participation in Learning Assessment & Support and continuous professional development activity, in support of school and college transformational priorities