About the job

Job summary

At Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), we supply and maintain vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. Together, we deliver a vast range of essential defence programmes, and strive for what's next. Because it helps keep our military at the top of their game and our nation safe – for today, and tomorrow.

We offer 25+ days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of around 27%, to help work, work for you.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 10 years and obtain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you have been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining DV security clearance can be a lengthy process. You’ll join us once Security Check (SC) clearance is obtained, and then the more enhanced DV checks will continue after you’ve started your employment. If SC clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months, we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made.

Job description

Join us at the British Forces Postal Office (BFPO) and take the first step towards a successful career. We provide all the training required to develop your skill set and gain the experience necessary to excel in your role.

The Defence Courier Service (DCS) is responsible for the safe and secure movement of Protectively Marked Material (PMM) in the UK and worldwide. As a member of our team, you will provide clerical and administrative support, ensuring all PMM is moved as required under the correct diplomatic process which is covered under the Vienna Convention. Day to day, you will be required to operate and contribute within a small but busy team which plans road moves in the UK and overseas collection and distribution of PMM in accordance with customs and security policies.

For centuries, our Armed Forces have managed an in-house postal service, delivering mail throughout our military history including both World Wars. The BFPO is dedicated to providing postal and courier services to the UK Armed Forces, Ministry of Defence (MOD), and Other Government Departments (OGDs) and is a renowned brand across Defence.

This position is based in our Northolt, Ruislip offices. In-office attendance is expected 5 days per week.

What you’ll be doing

• Planning of monthly duties for scheduled and operational courier tasks, outlining all planned Defence Courier (DC) commitments, booking appropriate flights and other transport.

• Establishing Tasks Outside Routine Courier Schedule (TORCS), these being courier tasks in addition to normal scheduled commitments, which necessitate the deployment of a DC worldwide.

• Maintaining accurate records of all flights booked, flight costs and collation and filing of associated records.

• Answering telephone and written queries relating to the safe and secure worldwide escort of PMM by both Air and Road Service Schedules.

• Producing tasking sheets and supporting documentation.

• Acting as leave relief for other Operations personnel, complete tasks as instructed in support of the conveyance of PMM.

• Maintaining personal training and development programme via HR systems while being aware of current issues and customer focus.

As an Operations Clerk, you will be required to work 7.4 hours per day between 06:00 -18:00 hours, Monday to Friday, though some additional hours or flexible working may be required. Exact duty timings will be discussed at interview. 

Headquarters BFPO is conveniently accessible from the M40 motorway, the A40 and London Underground tube stations.

Please note: Positions will be offered in Interview Merit order. Further details can be found in the Selection Process Details.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Ability to work within a team.
• Effective communication skills both verbal and written.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and TEAMS)

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Customer Service - Awareness
• Making evidence-based decisions - Awareness
• Delivering at pace – CSBC2
• Communicating and Influencing – CSBC2

Benefits

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 27%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of - and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift - We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift - Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills

Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.

1. Interview - If you're invited to interview, you'll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. When two (or more) candidates are on equal interview scores, positions will be offered based on the scores assessed at interview, in this order – 1st) Technical competence, 2nd) CV Review, 3rd) Behaviour one, 4th) Behaviour two.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.