About the job

Job summary

Do you want to be at the heart of real Defence issues and play a key role in the United Kingdom’s (UK) national security?

Established in April 2016, the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) delivers nuclear capability to deter threats and protect our nation.

The DNO oversees all defence nuclear business (excluding operations) and is responsible for providing nuclear deterrence; sponsoring the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (all the organisations, programmes and people that sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent); and advising on UK nuclear policy, planning and international co-operation on nuclear matters.

The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for over 60 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, and that of our NATO Allies. To ensure that we have a credible and capable nuclear deterrent for as long as the security situation requires, we are building four new nuclear armed submarines – known as the Dreadnought Class – and replacing our nuclear warheads. These renewal programmes will utilise world-leading technology and are a showcase in science and engineering, highlighting the prowess of British industry. 

Here at DNO we strongly believe that diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do but is also essential for a thriving and successful organisation. We know that diverse teams bring a wide range of perspectives, experiences and ideas, which lead to better decision-making, creativity and innovation. We have a culture where differences are celebrated and our people feel supported, included and empowered. Join us and be part of an organisation that truly values diversity and inclusion and makes a positive impact on the world.

Critical to our mission is being able to attract, train and retain the brightest and best people. That’s where the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) People and Skills (P&S) Training and Education Team comes in. The DNE P&S Team are a bespoke team setup to establish an Enterprise view of the Defence nuclear skills landscape. DNE P&S are comprised of a suite of teams working on projects spanning outreach, employee value proposition, early careers entry routes, strategic workforce planning, training, and education.

 This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

Job description

We are seeking a Training Requirements Manager. This role will work within the Training and Education Team, under the Deputy Head of Training and Education. As a member of the DNE P&S team your role will be hosted within DNO and you will be responsible for supporting the work of the DNE Training and Education Team.

The Training and Education Team is a newly established capability within the P&S Team. Our primary objective is to enhance the DNE training landscape. As a Training Requirements Manager your role will be key as we move from Initial to Full Operating Capability. This involves a concerted effort to embed the DNE Training Team within the broader spectrum of DNE training initiatives, ensuring an enterprise-wide approach that maximises resource utilisation and minimises duplication of efforts. Our aim is to foster a holistic understanding of DNE training requirements across the enterprise, ensuring that training initiatives are not only aligned but also synergistically contribute to the overarching mission of the DNE.

A key task will be supporting the establishment and running of the MOD DNE Training Requirement Authority (TRA (DNE)). This initiative is pivotal in aligning nuclear courses with the Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) under JSP822, ensuring our training programmes are both requirement-led and standards-compliant.  

The post will be responsible for:

• Introducing and drafting a TRA(DNE) Training governance structure and procedures which support a framework and system of rules, roles, responsibilities, and processes required to ensure a Defence System Approach to Training (DSAT) across analysis, design, delivery and assurance of training for the courses within the TRA(DNE) remit.
• Working with the Training Delivery Authority (TDA) to directly support the running of the TRA(DNE) Training Customer Executive Broad (CEB) and supporting working groups.
• Formulating the yearly DNE Training Programme; including working with stakeholders to manage the Statement of Trained Requirement (SOTR), Statement of Training Tasked (SOTT) and Training Task Planner (TTP) process.
• Dealing with change requests to the DNE Training Programme.
• Managing and updating Training Team documentation and information.
• Promoting the Training and Education Team and the work we do across the MOD.
• Providing DNE organisations with DNE Training and Education Team and DNE(TRA) information and guidance
• Working with internal and external stakeholders for a variety of reasons related to developing and maintaining DNE Training and Education initiatives, including but not limited to; subject matter expert consultations, research, evidence gathering, feedback loops and information sharing.
• Represent at external CEBs/working groups/meetings and providing feedback.
• Providing an auditable trail of DSAT training analysis activities and recommend actions.
• Leading on developing an Evaluation Strategy for the TRA(DNE) courses.
• Providing project management and support on Training and Education Team initiatives.
• The control and management of the Training and Education Teams Intranet/MODNET presence.
• Deputise for the Deputy Head of Training and Education when required.
• Line management of an Executive Officer (EO) Civil Servant (possibly).

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. 

Person specification

Whilst we have no preconceptions as to what sectors or industries you will have worked in; it is important that you provide detailed evidence and examples of proven experience at the Senior Executive Officer/C1 level (please see CS Behaviours linked below), that demonstrates the essential criteria and where possible desirable criteria.

There will be training as part of the role.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience of scoping needs, developing, delivering and evaluating solutions – ideally in a training environment. 
• Proven experience of working in a people/training environment and the ability to quickly build strong relationships with key stakeholders. 
• Skilled at working with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to gather their requirements – ideally in a training environment such as to gather and define training needs. 
• Practitioner level experience in project delivery and/or management.
• High proficiency in MS Office and Information Technology skills. 
• Excellent communication skills with strong personal impact and ability to produce high quality written material.
• Experience writing Business Cases, Statement of Requirements, Policy and Governance.  
• Be a team player, with the ability to challenge, influence and interface at all levels of an organisation.
• A self-starter who can generate new ideas, challenge the norm, and shape the future of DNE Training and Education.
• Used to working to challenging deadlines and managing a range of priorities at the same time. You will be organised and efficient with your time, able to prioritise and deliver quickly but to a high standard.
• Prepared to work at pace in the role, you won’t be afraid to ask questions. We all work closely together, so collaboration is key.

Desirable

• Undertaken a similar role within the MOD or similar large and complex organisation
• An understanding of Defence, its delivery, structure and corporate governance.
• Thorough knowledge and application of Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) or similar.
• Experience of working within and using Defence Training Support Manuals.
• Experience of working with Training Delivery Authorities (TDA) and Training Providers (TP).
• Experience in a training management role.
• Experience of managing budgets and operating within financial constraints.
• Understanding of change management.

Desirable Qualifications

• Financial Skills Certificate (FSC). 
• Contract Management Capability Programme (CMCP).
• Project or Programme Management qualifications.
• CIPD L3 or higher (or equivalent).
• Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) qualifications or willingness to begin qualification/s within 1 year of being in post. 

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.

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.

Candidates are required to complete an online CV; to include job history, full details of education, qualifications, previous experiences and skills.

Candidates are also required to complete a Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 words. Candidates should utilise their Statement of Suitability to set out how they believe they meet the Essential/Desirable Criteria noted, with examples provided.

Candidates invited to interview will be asked questions based on the Civil Service Behaviours listed in this advert. They must use appropriate examples from previous experience that meet the criteria, using the STAR principle. Candidates will also be required to prepare a five minute presentation on: What is the importance of creating a DNE Enterprise approach to training, how can you help to achieve this within your role.

This post is classed as ‘Reserved’ as per the Civil Service Nationality Rules. For further information please see the attached documents thank you

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.

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

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.