Army - Assistant Head of Technical Assurance

Ministry Of Defence; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking an Assistant Head of Technical Assurance to lead the Technical Assurance Team. The role involves ensuring safe operation and maintenance of engineering outputs while directing a multi-function team. Candidates should have at least a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, experience in system safety engineering, and familiarity with digital tools and engineering frameworks. The position offers a salary of £61,630 plus benefits including a generous pension scheme and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

£61,630 salary with additional pension contribution

25 days paid annual leave

Flexible working patterns

Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Enhanced parental and adoption leave

Learning and Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in Engineering Competency Frameworks.
• System Safety Engineering experience.
• Knowledge of Environment Management Tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Technical Assurance Team effectively in delivering engineering outputs.
• Manage resources and integrate a multi-function technical assurance delivery team.
• Ensure compliance with mandated requirements and make independent technical decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Making Effective Decisions

Communicating and Influencing

Managing a Quality Service

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Chartered Engineer (CEng) (in process)

Tools

Office 365

MS Project

Adobe PDF

AI tools like M365 Copilot and Chat GPT

Job description

The Assistant Head of Technical Assurance has overall accountability for leading and directing the Technical Assurance Team as part of the ACTS Management Team to be effective and efficient in the delivery of engineering outputs so that the Collective Training Services are safe to operate, are maintained appropriately and perform as designed. The role holder will (when suitably qualified) be issued a formal Letter of Delegation from the ACTS SRO for the specific safety responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Line Manager responsibilities for three Senior Executive Officers in the Technical Assurance pillar.
• Interpret policy and manage information to provide relevant technical insights to the leadership team to help shape ACTS strategy and policy.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to enable decision making for ACTS technical assurance in support of the overall contract management process on behalf of the Head ACTS.
• Responsible for managing and integrating a multi‑function technical assurance delivery team, directing resources, utilising new and existing technologies and interfacing with multiple stakeholders.
• Hold the Senior Safety Responsible (SSR) title which includes ensuring the identification and recording of all hazardous materials and restricted substances within the Platforms, Services and Systems and record these within the appropriate safety and / or environmental cases. If required, promulgate any associated risks to human health and the environment to the appropriate Duty Holder and supporting maintenance organisations.
• Accountable for the assurance of the technical team compliance with mandated requirements.
• Makes independent, critical technical decisions and assurances based on relevant evidence, with a broad view of the strategic direction of Defence, ethics and technical knowledge.
• Offer well‑evidenced challenges to technical risks in reviews of plans, equipment and operations through leadership in the development of improved risk management methods to embed safety and environmental priorities in design to ensure compliance.
• Set direction for the technology development, research and standards, producing the technical assurance plan and specifying the requirements within the Through Life Management Plan, ensuring solutions are clearly defined, integrated, configured, controlled and delivered, including resolution of conflicts and integration issues.
• Apply technical expertise to drive requirements and conduct test and evaluation for ACTS projects and programmes including working with digital experts to undertake 2nd line assurance to provide independent advice to the ACTS team as required.

Key Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering.
• Willing to work towards CEng (Chartered Engineer).
• Has held or currently holds a Senior Safety Responsible post.
• Experience in the Engineering Competency Frameworks.
• System Safety Engineering experience.
• Proficient in digital tools such as Office 365 including MS Project and Adobe PDF. Knowledge of AI tools such as M365 Copilot and Chat GPT.
• Experience of Environment Management Tools.

Desirable Skills

• Qualified Chartered Engineer (CEng).
• Knowledge of MOD procurement processes and procedures / understanding of Public Sector procurement.
• Software/Programmable Elements Acquisition knowledge.
• Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (WOME) awareness.

Behaviours

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

Application Process

Where a large number of applications are received, an initial sift will be conducted based on the evidence you provide in support of Managing a Quality Service. Your Personal Statement and CV evidence will only be reviewed if you are successful at this initial sift. At interview stage you will be assessed against the following behaviours: Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating & Influencing, Managing a Quality Service.

Sponsorship & Nationality

This role does not meet the category for a skilled worker visa under the points based system; we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship. The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. The role is open to UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, nationals of Commonwealth countries with the right to work in the UK, nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein (and their settled or pre‑settled family members), and several other nationalities as detailed in the Ministry of Defence guidance.

Benefits

• £61,630 salary with Ministry of Defence contribution of £17,854 towards the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
• 25 days paid annual leave rising by one day per year to 30 days after 5 years.
• Highly competitive pension scheme.
• Personal and professional development of skills.
• Alternative working patterns for many roles.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave.
• 6 days special leave per year for volunteering activities.
• Learning and Development opportunities.
• Access to LWC facilities including gym, ample on‑site parking and mess access.
• Post does not offer relocation expenses.
• External recruits are subject to a six‑month probation period.

Equality and Diversity

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. We run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria, and we encourage flexible working and support for all staff.

Safety Commitment

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment, including a smoke‑free working environment. All applicants should be aware of the Smoke‑Free Working Environment policy.