Army - Assistant Corps Secretary

UK Ministry of Defence; Blackwater; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Defence seeks an Assistant to The Corps Secretary to support financial reporting and administration for the Royal Corps of Army Music. This role involves engaging with diverse stakeholders, managing funding applications, and assisting in organizing live events to enhance welfare and benevolence initiatives. Candidates should possess excellent communication skills and a strong eye for financial detail while working in a flexible, supportive environment.

Benefits

25 days paid annual leave

Highly competitive pension scheme

Personal and professional development

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Enhanced parental leave

Qualifications

• Experience or willingness to train in keeping financial records and managing a budget.
• Excellent communication skills to build strong business relationships.
• Confidence to operate in a busy environment and prioritize tasks.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Corps Secretary during their absence.
• Undertake financial function and reporting to the Board.
• Support live concert performance events and manage related logistics.

Skills

Communication

Financial management

Tools

Accounting software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Minley Station, Gibraltar Bks, Blackwater, Camberley, GU17 9LP

We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuing you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently – we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation. However, recognising the benefits of face to face working, especially for new joiners, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week).

Job Summary

The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 12,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army.

The Royal Corps of Army Music (RCAM) is the UK’s largest employer of musicians and youngest in the Army, employing approx. 590 Army officers and other ranks. The role is based at the Headquarters Army Music in Minley and provides support to the Regimental family in provision of welfare, benevolence and after-care of soldiers and their dependants. Assisting the Corps Secretary by representing the Corps where necessary including day-to-day management of Corps Trust whilst liaising with key partners to ensure appropriate funding and assisting with the planning and administration of key Corps events and committees. Act as the Assistant Editor for Corps Journal and Corps Newsletters

Do you want to work within a friendly high performing team that builds a sense of belong amongst serving Army musicians and veterans alike. This role is integral to the welfare and benevolence for our soldiers.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

As the Assistant to The Corps Secretary, you will be taking care of the financial reporting to the Trust Board through quarterly and annual reports. A key function of the office is to provide funding for welfare, sports, training, music education and benevolence in a multifaceted environment, processing re-quests for funding and a broad spectrum of accounting tasks. As well as producing routine updates, there is an opportunity to design bespoke reports using appropriate communication media, that keep all members of the Corps advised and updated.

Other responsibilities will be to support live concert performance events, meetings and seminars. A range of accounting software including the Microsoft Office Suite, is used to bring together financial activity, linking in with online and face-to-face banking and cash collections.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deputise for Corps Secretary in their absence.
• Undertake financial function / reporting to Board via quarterly and annual reports.
• Assist with preparation of all accounts for internal / external audits as required.
• Triage funding applications for welfare, sports, training, music education, benevolence and Corps ethos events and present to triumvirate for approval / allocation of funding.
• Cash / cheque deposits at the bank following charity events, annual subscription payments and gifting. Handle online banking mechanisms.
• Provide broad administrative support to the Corps Secretary including meeting plotting and minute taking / distribution.
• Provide real life support to live concert performances and conferences.
• Deputise for the Corps Secretary and be principally responsible for the finances of the Royal Corps of Army Music (RCAM) Corps Trust.
• Undertake line management duties of an Admin Officer and ways of working in accordance with MOD policy rules and guidelines.
• Undertake civil engagement & heritage activities in support of the Corps Secretariat.
• Working in a small team of three, you will have line management responsibility for the Administration Officer.
• Your responsibilities will include leadership and management of events and supporting other departments within the HQ with their required outputs - you will work across a broad portfolio at multiple levels.
  
  

As the Assistant to The Corps Secretary, you will be taking care of the financial reporting to the Trust Board through quarterly and annual reports. A key function of the office is to provide funding for welfare, sports, training, music education and benevolence in a multifaceted environment, processing re-quests for funding and a broad spectrum of accounting tasks. As well as producing routine updates, there is an opportunity to design bespoke reports using appropriate communication media, that keep all members of the Corps advised and updated.

Other responsibilities will be to support live concert performance events, meetings and seminars. A range of accounting software including the Microsoft Office Suite, is used to bring together financial activity, linking in with online and face-to-face banking and cash collections.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deputise for Corps Secretary in their absence.
• Undertake financial function / reporting to Board via quarterly and annual reports.
• Assist with preparation of all accounts for internal / external audits as required.
• Triage funding applications for welfare, sports, training, music education, benevolence and Corps ethos events and present to triumvirate for approval / allocation of funding.
• Cash / cheque deposits at the bank following charity events, annual subscription payments and gifting. Handle online banking mechanisms.
• Provide broad administrative support to the Corps Secretary including meeting plotting and minute taking / distribution.
• Provide real life support to live concert performances and conferences.
• Deputise for the Corps Secretary and be principally responsible for the finances of the Royal Corps of Army Music (RCAM) Corps Trust.
• Undertake line management duties of an Admin Officer and ways of working in accordance with MOD policy rules and guidelines.
• Undertake civil engagement & heritage activities in support of the Corps Secretariat.
• Working in a small team of three, you will have line management responsibility for the Administration Officer.
• Your responsibilities will include leadership and management of events and supporting other departments within the HQ with their required outputs - you will work across a broad portfolio at multiple levels.
  
  

Person specification

Essential Skills Required:

• Excellent communication skills with an ability to build strong business relations is key as you will be working across military and civilian organisations.
• Experience or be willing to train in keeping financial records and managing a budget.
• Ability to engage with a wide range of partners at all levels of seniority.
• Confidence and agility in order to operate in a busy environment. Able to prioritise your workload with minimal direction.
  
  

Desirable Skills:

• Experience working with accountancy software such as Xero.
• Some knowledge of Army Music.
  
  

Behaviours

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

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

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

• Delivering at Pace
  
  

Alongside your salary of £29,580, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,569 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other Benefits For Army Civil Servants Include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Highly competitive pension scheme
• Personal and professional development of skills
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
• Learning and Development
  
  

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.

A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Selection process details

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

At application stage you will be assessed against the following:

• CV
• Personal Statement - 250 Word statement setting out your suitability for the role.
• Behaviour - Delivering at Pace
  
  

Applications will be sifted using the Behaviour, CV, and Personal Statement that have been chosen for this campaign, but in the event of there being a high number of applications, a sift will be conducted on the lead behaviour only 'Delivering at Pace'

At interview stage you will be assessed against the following behaviours:

• Communicating & Influencing
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
  
  

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed and will be held in person. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

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: [e-mail] .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to 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. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It 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.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

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.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact :

• Name : Guy Bennett
• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: [e-mail].