About the job

Job summary

Within the Joint Analysis & Decision Support (JADS) Group we are looking for someone with an analytical mind and an ability to break down, understand, address and visualise a wide range of exciting problems.

Are you someone able to think creatively and consider a broad range of potential solutions to a complex problem? If so, we believe you may enjoy working within our team where your work will help to ensure that decisions made by senior leaders in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and across Government are based on the best available evidence.

Within our Group, we support MOD decision makers to define, develop and test policy, strategy and concepts, make investment decisions and understand future capability needs and options. We achieve this through the provision of robust, independent advice and evidence, based on scientific principles and research.

We support and lead multi-disciplinary technical projects to assist with evidenced based decision-making at senior levels of government across a range of different capability areas; Command and Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), Space, Logistics, Medical Logistics, Cyber and Directed Energy Weapons. In doing so, we frequently deliver collaboratively with external partners in industry and other Government departments.

As a Principal Operational Analyst you will take on the role of Project Technical Authority (PTA). Through a close and productive working relationship, as PTA you will support the Project Manager (PM) throughout the design, planning, execution and closure of Operational Analysis projects and act as the primary focus for the project technical design, technical leadership and advice.

We are particularly looking for people with knowledge, experience and interest in working in C4ISR or cyber.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Job description

In this role you will:

Be supported by training and mentoring to;

• Support the Project Manager (PM) throughout the planning, execution and closure of a project as the primary focus for the project technical design, technical leadership and advice.
• Help develop and shape an understanding of the Customer’s requirements;
• Seek and engage with suitable external partners in industry and other Government departments;
• Work closely with the Project team in delivery of high quality qualitative/quantitative analysis.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

Essential skills:

• Are qualified to degree level (or have equivalent experience) in an appropriate discipline such as (but not limited to): Operational Research, and STEM subjects;
• Proven record of delivery and leading Analysis or Research studies collaboratively;
• Customer engagement with strong communication and interpersonal skills;
• Setting and maintaining quality assurance;
• Evidence of leading teams across multiple work streams and ensuring coherence between them;
• Have strong qualitative and/or quantitative analysis skills;
• Are self-motivated and can enthuse others;
• Have the skills to think and work innovatively;
• Enjoy working independently or within a team;
• Work well under-pressure;
• Are creative and enjoy problem solving;
• Ability to design and shape technical studies.

Desirable attributes include:

• Background/knowledge of C4ISR or cyber
• Having some knowledge of the UK armed forces;
• Knowledge of MOD procurement;
• Experience of developing user and system requirements;
• Membership of an appropriate society, association or professional body.

Qualifications:

Essential:

• Qualified to degree level in an appropriate discipline such as (but not limited to): Operational Research, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Mathematics, Social Sciences

Leadership:

As a leader in Defence you will help shape, role model and bring to life the ‘One Defence’ mindset that will enable us to deliver our vision and strategic objectives. Your leadership style must be inspiring, confident and empowering. Working at every level of our organisation to break down silos, unite teams and create a culture that is trusting, collaborative, innovative, diverse and inclusive. Enabling us to deliver with pace and agility through the skills, commitment and empowerment of our employees and military colleagues.

Important Information:

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,667, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £12,060 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.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.

Sifting will be taking place shortly after the role has closed with successful applicants being invited to attend an interview either online via MS Teams or face to face at one of Dstl's sites.

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.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

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.