About the job

Job summary

Working on the front line of the digital battlefield at Defence Digital, you will be building and delivering services that have a real-life impact on the security and protection of the UK. We also offer competitive salaries, a flexible working culture, and training and development opportunities that are second to none – giving you the opportunity to stay at the top of your game and progress in your career.

Our people carry out varied and important work, leading on defensive cyber strategy and development, improving innovation and digital information exploitation, supporting global military operations, and supplying secure, integrated IT to our worldwide users.

On the Defence Digital Level 7 Masters Apprenticeship, you will complete a fully funded Master’s Degree (MSc Digital & Technology Solutions Specialist provided by an Apprenticeship Programme) whilst gaining world leading Defence Digital (DD) experience to equip you with a diverse skill set. You will develop both key leadership skills and innovative Digital Capabilities to progress you into leading roles at the Ministry of Defence.

This Level 7 Masters Apprenticeship is ideal for someone with a Hons Degree 2:2 or above in an appropriate Computing, Technology, Engineering discipline or STEM subject looking to begin a career in the Civil Service.

We believe diverse people create diverse solutions. We are looking for individuals with varied skill sets and expertise who think differently and are ambitious to not only deliver crucial services, but to build and drive the future of digital defence and protect the UK.

Take a look at our video and find out how you can contribute to the world of Defence Digital and if data and technology will be the next chapter of your career!

Working at Defence Digital

Job description

Alongside professional experiences the Level 7 Masters Apprenticeship offers a fully funded Master’s Degree with 5 pathways. You’ll be asked to select your preferred pathway when you apply.

The Level 7 Masters Apprenticeship  is designed for those wishing to enhance their career through engaging in a work based learning programme and developing an understanding of Computing, IT and Digital Technology. You will choose a specialist pathway to follow in one of these areas:

• Data & Analytics 
• Software Engineering
• Cyber Security
• Enterprise Architecture
• IT Operations

Each pathway will have a combination of research-led specialist modules, and professional practice modules where you will focus on demonstrating your understanding of applying contemporary research into your current practice.  For all pathways described, there’ll be rotations through several placements within DD, and you may also have opportunities to work in other business roles supporting the MoD’s vast estate and front-line commands or with one of our external business partners.

Alongside developing your capabilities in the areas of the Computing, IT and Digital Technology subject discipline, the programme will also develop you as a digital leader. As such you will engage in a range of core modules designed to develop your competences in areas such as Leadership, Business & Technology, and self-awareness.

Responsibilities:

Your responsibilities will vary depending on the placement you’re in, but key tasks will include but aren't limited to:

• Undertaking specialism specific placement activities to develop your knowledge and experience and add value to your team and the business.
• Building and maintaining a network of internal business contacts and peers to share and gain knowledge and identify opportunities to learn and develop.
• Building awareness and understanding of how the DD function and wider business operates to support own development and career progression.
• Providing support to specialist colleagues within the business and actively contributing to team meetings to help with the work of the team.
• Participating in the learning programme to develop own capabilities in a defence context.

Essential Qualifications (have/expected to have by August 2024):

• Honours degree (2:2 or above or equivalent Level 6 Qualification) in an appropriate Computing, Technology, Engineering discipline (or STEM subject) achieved by August 2024. If your degree incorporates a significant amount of Maths and STEM elements, then we would also encourage you to apply.
• You will also require GCSE Maths and English Language at Grade C/4 (Functional Skills Level 2 Maths & English and other accepted equivalents).
• Any 'similar subject' achieved at Level 7 will need to be reviewed to ensure apprenticeship eligibility.

Person specification

DD is looking for talented, motivated, and skilled graduates to join our DD Level 7 Masters Apprenticeship and become Cyber Security and DDaT (Digital, Data and Technology) professionals of the future.  

The DD Level 7 Masters Apprenticeship is a 3-year development programme focused on Digital Critical roles across different areas of Defence Digital.  After successful completion of the programme, you will be eligible for a re-grade interview to Senior Executive Officer and deployment into an appropriate role within Defence Digital. All graduates both recent or with experience are welcome to apply as we will develop your personal skill set.

Please see the attached candidate pack for more information on the Level 7 Masters Apprenticeship.  

Ahead of the assessment day, we will hold 2 free online sessions where you can meet people who are currently on the Level 7 Masters Apprenticeship, ask questions, and learn about working as a Graduate and Defence Digital.

The first one will be held on 22/01/24 at 17:00 and the link to the session is: www.eventbrite.co.uk and the second one will be held on 25/01/24 at 16:30 and the link to the session is: www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Please note: This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a Graduate: Data Analytics, Graduate: Cyber Security, Graduate: Software Engineer, Graduate: Enterprise Architect, Graduate: IT Ops Management in the relevant Defence Digital business area. Your responsibilities will be as described in this job advert. The reason why you are appointed for a fixed period is due to this being a development scheme in which you will complete a Level 7 Masters Apprenticeship. This post will therefore begin on your appointment and end 36 months after that date. You should be aware that when your Fixed-term Appointment at MOD comes to an end, arrangements will be made in line with the FTA policy. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be regraded into a permanent position.

If you are a permanent MoD civil servant and are found successful for an advertised Fixed-term Appointment (FTA) you should move into the post under a Temporary Transfer (for up to a maximum of 36 months). At the end of the posting you will return to your previous MoD Business area. If this posting is at a higher grade, your promotion will be temporary, and you will return to your substantive grade at the end of the Temporary Transfer. If a Temporary Transfer cannot be agreed between all parties then a transfer on an FTA contract is possible, read the FTA and Change of Work Location in the UK policy for further information.

If you are transferring to MoD from another government department (OGD) you should join the MoD on an inward loan. At the end of the loan you will return to your home (OGD) department. If a loan cannot be agreed between all parties then a transfer on an FTA contract is possible, read the FTA policy for further information.

You must have the right of abode in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning. 

 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,290, Ministry of Defence contributes £9,528 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Experience.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Experience.

Stage 1: Initial application. When you apply, you’ll be asked to select your preferred pathway from the 5 on offer as well as your preferred base work location.

Stage 2: Online Civil Service Strengths Work Test. If you pass the test, you will complete a full application including a Personal Statement (max. 1250 words) and it is essential that this includes evidence of the following essential criteria.  Each one will be scored 1-7 and make up part of your overall score to assess your suitability to be invited to the assessment day.  

Essential Criteria

1. Give an example of how you have presented a complex idea simply, to technical and non-technical audiences.
2. Give an example of when you have collaborated well, describing your inclusive team working skills.
3. Give an example and describe how digital technology enables and improves business services.
4. Why you have chosen your 2 preferred pathways.

You will also need to upload your CV and it should clearly demonstrate the following areas:

• Your degree subject(s).
• The modules that you undertook in your degree.
• Any other relevant skills or work experience you may have.
  

Stage 3: The highest scoring candidates at sift will be invited to an assessment centre at MOD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham, SN13 9NR. The assessment process will include a group activity and an individual exercise, as well as a panel interview. At interview you will be asked to give a presentation. You will be notified 1 week prior to interview of the presentation topic.

Please allow sufficient time to complete the tests and the remainder of the application form.  

Please Note: Reimbursements will be made for any travel expenses (where incurred) for the assessment centre.

Please find below, a link to our video which gives you helpful tips and guidance on the CS Jobs application process:

Watch: How to apply on CS Jobs: Guide and Tips

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the interview process:

• Leadership
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace 
• Changing and Improving 
• Communicating and Influencing 
• Making Effective Decisions 

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.

Please note offers of employment are subject to achieving satisfactory pre-employment and security checks. These include an Occupational Health Assessment and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). As part of this you will need to confirm your identity, employment/education history, nationality and any criminal record (unspent convictions only).  
 
The level of security needed is Security Check (SC) and you should usually have been continuously resident in the UK for 5 years immediately before clearance action commences. If you have lived overseas or travelled extensively during this period, it may affect the length of time to obtain full security clearance and this may affect your offer of employment. It is essential that ALL requests for information are completed fully and timely, as incomplete information may result in significant delays. Offers of employment are also subject to candidates achieving acceptable grades where predicted.  

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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

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)

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.