About the job

Job summary

Navy Warfare Publications (NWP) is part of the Operational Advantage Centre (OAC) and based as a lodger unit in HMS COLLINGWOOD. Civil Servants and Armed Forces personnel work together here and NWP sits within that environment. The OAC supports joint and maritime operational commanders and capability sponsors by fusing threat, operational and performance analysis with doctrine, tactics and techniques. An Author is required to write and maintain operational publications on Mine Warfare and associated subjects as the need arises by Naval Mine Warfare and Naval Mine Countermeasures staffs and operating authorities of the Royal Navy. At NWP we understand the everyday commitments both inside and outside the workplace, so our aim is to provide the flexibility to maintain a great work-life balance. We also offer an impressive range of on-site facilities including for example, a gymnasium, swimming pool, squash courts and other sporting facilities, a children’s nursery, a restaurant, a handy shop and plenty of car parking spaces etc.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week

Job description

NWP is the single Navy Command authority responsible for the creation and distribution of the Fleet Commander’s operational publications. As the successful candidate your role as an Author will require you to research, write and maintain publications relating to Mine Warfare in the Royal Navy both at sea and ashore. You will have a detailed understanding of the subject matter from an operational perspective and be proficient in the construction of informative publications that reflect current doctrine and operational use, including health and safety standards, drills and procedures. You may need to attend trials at sea and ashore, operate systems to draw in the most comprehensive range of information to prepare, plan and write accurate and timely publications that are safe and credible to use. As an NWP author you will need to assess any development in Mine Warfare as and when it occurs, incorporating consequential changes into the publications. Lastly, as part of the UK support to NATO and Regional Mine Warfare related Working Groups international travel will be required.

Finally, you should possess the ability to write clearly and accurately, always keeping in mind the needs of the readership, using IT practices and procedures, particularly in Microsoft based software.

Person specification

This role is a key part in the NWP organisation and requires someone who engages with colleagues at all levels to ensure they know their responsibilities and mechanisms for delivering their work. The successful applicant will require good MS Office knowledge, have good communication and interpersonal skills as well as being proactive and able to work cohesively with all staff within NWP. There are times that work priorities change at short notice and the post holder will also need to deliver on these requirements.

As well as those already laid out in the job description, and in conjunction with the attached Terms of Reference, you will carry out all the necessary processes to produce accurate and timely publications on the defined subjects and publications.

Maintain a close liaison with all authorities and contractors to ensure the timely provision of accurate and safe publications and changes thereto. Monitor developments in the subject area for potential effects on the publications and assess the need for amendment action to the main publications and to any associated publications. A detailed audit trail of changes, validation and approvals must be maintained.

Ensure Subject Matter Knowledgeable Person (SMKP) status is maintained by a scheme of continual development and training drawing knowledge from all available sources.

Work closely with the publications sponsor (Desk Officer); provide professional advice and guidance on all issues regarding the publications and contents thereof. Undertake publications tasks as requested by the Desk Officer; conflicts arising with priorities and tasking will be resolved by the Line Manager.

Quality check the output from out-sourced hard copy printing and electronic publication CD cutting for all associated publications.

Establish, build, maintain and prioritise a network of contacts to ensure the distribution of publications, authorise the issue of additional requests consulting with the Desk Officer as appropriate.

Full UK driving license required

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 and Experience.

Things you need to know

Location

This role will be based in HMS Collingwood and will require travel to locations across the UK. A Full UK Driving licence and willingness to drive to these locations is required as there may be no local public transport. 

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) and will assess the following areas:

Behaviours:

We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and influencing
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and influencing
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

If there is a large number of applications only the lead behaviour, Communicating and influencing, may be assessed on application, all behaviours will be assessed at interview

Experience 

Assessed at Interview and on application via a Statement of Suitability (500 words) and CV

This vacancy is part of the A Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative Making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

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.

Your application must be completed by 23:55 on the closing date of the vacancy. Late submissions cannot be accepted.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nations only

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.