Army Digital Skills Lead -Ministry of Defence-SEO
Government Digital & Data -
Army Digital Skills Lead
Ministry of Defence
Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 5th September 2024
Details
Reference number
364805
Salary
£43,080
A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Job grade
Senior Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
MOD - Army - Information Directorate
Type of role
Knowledge and Information Management
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
Location
Army HQ, Andover, SP11 8HJ. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuing you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently – we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation. Whilst embracing hybrid working, there is an expectation you will attend the office an average of at least 3 days a week.
About the job
Job summary
The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, firefighters and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army.
The Army’s Information Directorate provides the Chief Information Officer function for the Army, leads the Army’s digitalisation, delivers information exploitation services and orchestrates the delivery of digital programmes. We also provide leadership and coherence across the Cyber and Electro-Magnetic Activities (CEMA), Intelligence and Security functions in the Army.
The Digital Skills Transformation Manager post is a new and exciting role within Army Headquarters. Operating from within the Information Directorate, this role is vital to the success and coherence of Digital Skills Transformation across the entire Army.
As an integral part of Programme THEIA (The Digital Transformation Programme for the British Army) and the Army Data and Digital Plan, you will contribute significantly to the digital revolution and become a digital champion. You will report to and work closely with the Assistant Head IX - Digital Discovery, the wider IX Teams and the Assistant Head of programme THEIA, to drive forward digital transformation.
Initially, you will help to define the journey of digital skills transformation, build relationships across a variety of departments, and set the conditions for growth. Within 6-12 months, you will be required to lead and manage a growing team with the purpose of delivering a co-ordinated transformation of digital skills across the Army.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
Chief Digital and Data Office (CDDO) underpins the digital and data focused decision making across the Army, be it in the business space or out in the smallest tactical deployment. Information is key to our war fighters' and business leaders' understanding. Determining how to deliver that information both today and tomorrow, as well as understanding how we can share or exploit this and others' information, is what Information Exploitation is all about.
The Digital Skills Transformation Manager is responsible for defining and delivering a variety of initiatives to enhance digital skills across the Army, under Project TECHKNE Co-ordinating and engaging with many departments and maintaining a network of partnerships. Identifying common opportunities and optimising duplication – innovation, BA, leadership and communication skills are essential. You will have the rewarding opportunity to help business areas attain the digital skills they need to enhance their processes. This will derive better business and operational outputs whilst making efficiencies across the Army - the efficiencies and benefits are being tracked by Senior Leadership up to the Army’s Executive Committee, as part of THEIA (The Army’s Digital Transformation Programme).
You do not need experience with training delivery, but you do need to be able to distil simplicity from complexity and provide clear direction to your team. You will gain experience of managing a multi-disciplinary team made up of Civil Servants and specialist contractors, whom you will onboard into the business depending on the outputs required. You will also gain experience of managing a contract and establishing a programme.
This role really is a great opportunity to be a part of the digital revolution, become a digital champion and enable a growing delivery team to thrive, whilst supporting the business to be truly transformational and strategic for the future.
The Digital Skills Transformation Manager’s key responsibilities include:
- Leading the Army’s Digital Skills Transformation Project.(TECHKNE)
- Own and continuously improve the current digital skills processes.
- Act as a senior point of contact for digital skills stakeholders; representing the Assistant Head Digital Discovery when required.
- Challenge constructively and act as a critical friend to help achieve digital skills solutions that are fit for purpose.
- Investigative work into users’ business needs and identify opportunities in existing and new services.
- Apply a digital understanding to their work.
- Actively participate in the Business Analysis community and broader communities to refine and develop standards, working practices and sharing of knowledge and understanding.
- Any other tasks commensurate with grade and position as directed by Line Manager.
This opportunity will place you at the centre of digital transformation, requiring you to work across directorates and closely with Defence level organisations. The need for digital skills is growing exponentially, and you will be able to influence much of this at the start of the transformation journey.
Person specification
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who can handle the pressure of coordinating a wide range of activities and should be comfortable working within the service management profession, willing to challenge established norms and processes and be prepared to adapt to changing priorities. Applicants should also have effective written and verbal communication skills and display a positive and professional attitude.
Essential Skills:
- Management of teams.
- Experience of working in business improvement, continuous improvement and/or change management.
- Excellent stakeholder relationship skills to achieve outputs, including a considered management of customer expectations.
- Results-focused and able to work under pressure.
- Prioritisation skills to prioritise own work and that of the team.
Desirable
- Qualifications in Business Analyst and/or Business Management.
- Qualifications in Project Management.
- IT background and/or an understanding of analytical tools and applying analysis techniques to make business improvements.
- Agile experience.
- Experience of working in a digital environment.
- Experience of training delivery.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes £11,631 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
As a civil servant working alongside the Army, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects and a job that makes a difference.
The Army 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 Army civil servants include:
- 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
- Highly competitive pension scheme
- Personal and professional development of skills
- Alternative working patterns for many roles
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
- On-site Gym, Shop and parking
Learning and Development
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 a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.
A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop 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 delivered by an external training provider. This means minimal disruption to your work alongside a big developmental opportunity.
Professional qualifications which can be achieved through an apprenticeship range from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs/ broadly equivalent to Scottish National 5s(N5s)), Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Levels//broadly equivalent to Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher (H/AH)), and Levels 4 -7, which can give you a foundation degree, a full Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree. They 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.
Discover my benefits- outlines the range of benefits available to MOD Civil Servants.
A Great Place for Veterans to Work scheme which was introduced by the Government in 2020 under the Veterans Strategy Action Plan which included the commitment of making the Civil Service a great Place to Work for Veterans. To be eligible for this scheme in the Civil Service, candidates must meet the minimum standard for the role being applied for and:
- have served for at least one year in His Majesty’s Armed Forces (as a Regular or Reserve); this includes time spent training
- be in transition from, or ceased to be a member of, HM Armed Forces
- not already be a civil servant, or be employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body
- There is no maximum time limit from when you left HM Armed Forces to be eligible for this initiative.
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 Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
At application you will be assessed against the following behaviours:
- Leadership
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
You will also be asked to provide a CV outlining your career history and a 750 word personal statement evidencing your experience and related skills against the essential criteria.
At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours:
- Delivering at pace
- Managing a quality service
- Working together
Application sifting is scheduled to take place within 7 days after the application process closes.
Interviews are likely to take place at Army HQ, Andover or via MS Teams W/C 23rd of September. A minimum of 2 full working days’ notice will be provided for interviews. We endeavor to stick to these timeframes, but these are subject to change around business needs.
When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.
The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
