Army - Deputy Quality Manager

UK Ministry of Defence; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The UK Ministry of Defence is looking for a Deputy Quality Manager to support their Quality Management Team. This role focuses on ensuring compliance with ISO standards and maintaining quality within the Scientific Support Unit. You will manage accreditation processes and work collaboratively with teams to deliver effective quality assurance.

Benefits

25 days paid annual leave

Highly competitive pension scheme

Personal and professional development

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced parental and adoption leave

Qualifications

• Experience of Quality Management through ISO standards.
• Ability to manage heavy workload independently.
• Willingness to learn and adapt in dynamic environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage the accreditation application process to UKAS.
• Develop and maintain the Quality Management System.
• Oversee internal audit schedules and review findings.

Skills

Time management

Communication

Analytical mindset

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Job description

Southwick Park, Fareham, PO17 6EJ

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 made up of numerous Policing Capabilities.

The Specialist Operations Regiment (Spec Ops Regt) Royal Military Police (RMP) is responsible for the delivery of numerous Specialist Policing Capabilities to the whole of the Service Police; its mission is to provide Specialist, Technical & Operational Support to RMP, Defence, Other Government Departments & the Service Justice System across 3 Capabilities: Close Protection, Forensic Support and Covert Policing.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a small team of Civilians and Military personnel in the Quality Management Team (QMT). They are responsible for delivering assurance that the RMP are meeting the standards required for accreditation under the UK Accreditation System for digital and "wet" (traditional) forensic sciences.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

The Deputy Quality Manager supports the Quality Manager in ensuring that the services provided by Scientific Support Unit (SSU) are fit for purpose, legally compliant and meet customer expectations.

As the Deputy Quality Manager you will assist with the coordination of activities required to ensure that quality is consistent and meets external requirements such as quality standards, as well as internal requirements set out under the Quality Management System (QMS). You will aid the implementation of inspection, testing, and evaluation methods to monitor the performance of the QMS and provide data, advice and reports on quality performance measured against set standards.

Your Responsibilities Will Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Manage the accreditation application process to UK Accreditation System (UKAS) and advise the organisation on steps required to achieve accreditation
• Establish standards and specifications for quality in line with International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards and other external documents
• Develop and maintain the Quality Management System by creating, reviewing and updating Scientific Support Unit Quality Procedures (QPs) and Quality Instructions (QIs)
• Monitor the Quality Management System
• performance by gathering relevant data and producing statistical reports
• Evaluate the risk of non-conformance and lead identification of root cause analysis and resolve non-conformance, identified during audits or normal working practice
• Oversee internal audit schedules and review findings. Implement corrective and preventative actions as appropriate
• Liaise Technical Managers and other Scientific Support Unit staff to ensure that they have the training, tools and techniques required to enable them to achieve quality standards
• Work with Technical Managers to ensure that Scientific Support Unit forensic processes meet ISO standards and remain compliant with Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) Codes
• Develop and maintain strong effective working relationships stakeholders
• Arrange and partake in the accreditation Strategic Working Group
• Organise and chair meetings and workshops as required
  
  

The Deputy Quality Manager supports the Quality Manager in ensuring that the services provided by Scientific Support Unit (SSU) are fit for purpose, legally compliant and meet customer expectations.

As the Deputy Quality Manager you will assist with the coordination of activities required to ensure that quality is consistent and meets external requirements such as quality standards, as well as internal requirements set out under the Quality Management System (QMS). You will aid the implementation of inspection, testing, and evaluation methods to monitor the performance of the QMS and provide data, advice and reports on quality performance measured against set standards.

Your Responsibilities Will Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Manage the accreditation application process to UK Accreditation System (UKAS) and advise the organisation on steps required to achieve accreditation
• Establish standards and specifications for quality in line with International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards and other external documents
• Develop and maintain the Quality Management System by creating, reviewing and updating Scientific Support Unit Quality Procedures (QPs) and Quality Instructions (QIs)
• Monitor the Quality Management System
• performance by gathering relevant data and producing statistical reports
• Evaluate the risk of non-conformance and lead identification of root cause analysis and resolve non-conformance, identified during audits or normal working practice
• Oversee internal audit schedules and review findings. Implement corrective and preventative actions as appropriate
• Liaise Technical Managers and other Scientific Support Unit staff to ensure that they have the training, tools and techniques required to enable them to achieve quality standards
• Work with Technical Managers to ensure that Scientific Support Unit forensic processes meet ISO standards and remain compliant with Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) Codes
• Develop and maintain strong effective working relationships stakeholders
• Arrange and partake in the accreditation Strategic Working Group
• Organise and chair meetings and workshops as required
  
  

Person specification

Essential:

• Evidence of sound personal time management and ability to work under pressure
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Work independently and proactively
• Ability to manage a heavy workload
• Willingness to learn and develop new relevant skills
• Adherence to relevant policies and procedures to support your work
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to coordinate multiple activities effectively
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and provide insights
• Attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining high-quality standards
• Proficient in using relevant software and tools for data analysis
  
  

Desirable:

• Experience of Quality Management through the relevant standards of ISO 9001 and/or 17025
• PRINCE 2 or other Project Management accreditation
  
  

If successful, this post will require NPPV Level 3, due to access to Service Police IM/IS systems.

Qualifications

This post will require NPPV Level 3 due to access to Service Police IM/IS systems

Behaviours

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

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

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

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

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.

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.

At application you will be asked to provide a personal statement of no more than 500 words demonstrating your suitability for the role against the person specification. You will also be assessed against the following behaviours -

• Changing and Improving (lead behaviour)
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

Applications will be sifted using all elements listed above, but in the event of a high number of applications, a sift will be conducted on the personal statement and lead behaviour only Changing and Improving.

At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours -

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

Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed but these will be held in person - Southwick Park, Fareham. 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.

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.

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

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 : David Tracey
• 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].