Army - Operations Plans Manager

UK Ministry of Defence; Leconfield; On-site; GBP 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The Defence School of Transport seeks an Operations Plans Manager to oversee the annual Training Plan, ensuring alignment between the Defence College of Support and Land Warfare Centre. This vital role supports tri-service personnel training, emphasizing a collaborative and dynamic working environment.

Benefits

25 days paid annual leave

Highly competitive pension scheme

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Free onsite parking

Access to onsite Gym

Qualifications

• Experience in management information systems and data analysis.
• Ability to communicate with external stakeholders.
• Management of training pipelines and analysis for future planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the annual Training Plan.
• Align training demands with resources and capabilities.
• Inform training pipeline management and integrate in-year requests.

Skills

Data Analysis

Communication

Leadership

IT Skills

Job description

Defence School of Transport, Leconfield, Normandy Barracks, HU17 7LX

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 Defence School of Transport is looking for a motivated and driven individual to head up Training Plans within the current Operations and Plans department.

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 Defence School of Transport (DST), based at Normandy Barracks in Leconfield, was formed in 1996 to provide driver and transport management training to personnel from the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines.

The school trains 10,000 service personnel every year, delivering outstanding training on road-going and specialist military vehicles. Training is conducted in classrooms, lecture theatres, demonstration areas, a purpose-built road and cross-country training area and on public roads.

DST can train up to 1,500 personnel at any time making us the largest residential driving school in the World. We are recognised as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ by: DHL, Eddie Stobart, the US Army, the US Marine Corps and the French Army amongst others. To meet this vast training task our dedicated establishment of 700 military and civilian personnel operates a fleet of 600 vehicles ranging from saloon cars to Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE) professional to specialist military trucks and lease-hire LGV. Our commitment is to put the trainee at the heart of everything and is key to the school’s success.

For further information please see the Defence School of Transport website.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

The Defence School of Transport are looking to appoint a highly motivated, hard-working, and dynamic individual to lead on developing the annual Training Plan within the Current Operations and Plans Department.

As the Operations Plans Manager you will be integral in managing the annual training requirement setting process. You will work with our Defence College of Support (DCSp) and Land Warfare Centre (LWC) organisations to align demand with resourced deliverable capacity, creating, and scheduling the annual training plan for centralised driver training and mechanical transport management courses. On starting, you will be expected to gain an in depth understanding of Defence training requirement against all school delivered outputs in order to accurately inform Training Requirement Authorities (TRAs) and build a priority based annual training plan.

You will be an integral member of the Current Operations and Plans team informing training pipeline management, analysing and integrating in-year requests for change and extraordinary operational demand.

This is a critical role delivering a key function enabling the Defence School of Transport to deliver vital training to tri-service personnel, providing an excellent opportunity to deliver real value in a professional, positive environment.

The Defence School of Transport are looking to appoint a highly motivated, hard-working, and dynamic individual to lead on developing the annual Training Plan within the Current Operations and Plans Department.

As the Operations Plans Manager you will be integral in managing the annual training requirement setting process. You will work with our Defence College of Support (DCSp) and Land Warfare Centre (LWC) organisations to align demand with resourced deliverable capacity, creating, and scheduling the annual training plan for centralised driver training and mechanical transport management courses. On starting, you will be expected to gain an in depth understanding of Defence training requirement against all school delivered outputs in order to accurately inform Training Requirement Authorities (TRAs) and build a priority based annual training plan.

You will be an integral member of the Current Operations and Plans team informing training pipeline management, analysing and integrating in-year requests for change and extraordinary operational demand.

This is a critical role delivering a key function enabling the Defence School of Transport to deliver vital training to tri-service personnel, providing an excellent opportunity to deliver real value in a professional, positive environment.

Person specification

Essential

• Ability to manage multiple work streams
• Have working experience in the use of Management Information Systems (MIS) and data analysis
• Understand management of training pipelines
• Able to analyse Data to inform future planning
• Have the ability to communicate with external stakeholders from higher and peer organisations on a weekly basis
• Hold a good level of IT skills as you will be required to use MS Office applications
  
  

Desirable

• Previous experience using the Training Administration & Financial Management Information System (TAFMIS) is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided
  
  

A Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) for managers course must be completed in the first 6 months of employment.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
  
  

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
  
  

Alongside your salary of £36,530, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,582 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 opportunities tailored to your role
• A thriving diverse and inclusive culture
• Free onsite parking
• Catering, retail and leisure facilities on site including a shop, takeaway food outlets and dining facilities
• Access to onsite Gym
• Wellbeing lake & nature walks
• Conservation area & group
  
  

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 CV template including your career history, qualifications and relevant skills and experience. You will also be assessed against the following behaviours -

• Seeing the Big Picture (lead behaviour)
• Leadership
  
  

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 lead behaviour only - Seeing the Big Picture.

At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours -

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
  
  

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 at Normandy Barracks. 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 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 : Michael Parr
• 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].