Defence Support - Support Operations Business Operations Support Officer

UK Ministry of Defence; London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

The UK Ministry of Defence seeks an organized individual to coordinate business operations within a dynamic environment. This role involves enhancing operational effectiveness through budget management, diary coordination, and providing administrative support. Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills and a commitment to inclusive practices.

Benefits

25 days paid annual leave

Flexible working options

Access to professional support services

Civil Service pension with employer contribution of 28.97%

Qualifications

• Experience in fast-paced administrative environments.
• Ability to manage budgets and liaise with government departments.
• Proven skills in diary management and meeting coordination.

Responsibilities

• Support business operations and manage budgets efficiently.
• Coordinate diaries, arrange meetings, and optimize travel arrangements.
• Provide administrative support, including e-filing and liaising with visitors.

Skills

Communication

Problem Solving

Time Management

Education

Relevant qualifications in administration

Job description

Ministry of Defence, Whitehall, LONDON SW1A 2HB

Job Summary

Do you want to join Defence and play your part in supporting our armed forces to operate effectively? Each year a third of the Defence budget is spent on Support. The Defence Support Organisation sits at the heart of providing support to the UK's Armed Forces. This 850-strong organisation works with both civilian and military personnel across Defence and exists to ensure that wherever Defence is operating, it can outpace, outwit and where necessary out-fight its adversaries. We provide logistic and engineering support to UK Armed Forces at home and abroad and have a broad remit spanning from planning to operational delivery.

We are also driving a results-orientated transformation agenda to modernise Defence's logistic and engineering support services and contributing towards the Defence strategy to meet the UK Government goal of Net Zero 2050.

We offer an inclusive, encouraging working environment providing opportunities for you to thrive in your role and progress your career. Our core values are Respect, Trust, Understanding and Kindness as we passionately believe these will enable both a diverse workforce and high performing teams. We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals who will embrace these values and proactively demonstrate the principles of inclusion within the organisation.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

This post is responsible for the coordination of business operations across the 2* pillar. The support given to the Principles and to the other members of the team enables the efficient and effective delivery of the organisation’s daily activity. The incumbent will have regular interaction with MOD Directorates/outer offices’, the TLBs, other government departments and external companies is required and is empowered to problem solve and make effective decisions to ensure that a quality output is maintained.

This post is responsible for the coordination of business operations across the 2* pillar. The support given to the Principles and to the other members of the team enables the efficient and effective delivery of the organisation’s daily activity. The incumbent will have regular interaction with MOD Directorates/outer offices’, the TLBs, other government departments and external companies is required and is empowered to problem solve and make effective decisions to ensure that a quality output is maintained.

Person specification

Responsibilities of the role will include but are not limited to:

Supporting the outer office to maximise the effectiveness of the 2*s & 1*s time, resolving and de-conflicting diary clashes and advising on engagements; arranging meetings; administering meetings and conferences.

Finance and Administration. Support the management of the Organisations budget, including the recording and filing of all business cases, Travel and Subsistence and stationery budget bids.

Arrange all travel and accommodation and associated e-diary management for 2* and 1*, to include obtaining relevant authority to travel and optimising travel arrangements wherever possible.

Support in the arranging and setting up of meeting rooms and ensuring that visitors are booked on to site, and escorting visitors when necessary.

Assist the XO in the coherence and planning of HR and workforce matters.

IHub secretarial services, by undertaking business ops administrative duties, including e-filing (both Official Sensitive and Secret),, maintenance of the SharePoint & Hardcopy filing system & focal point for the Hospitality Register.

Responsible as the Focal Point for Contract Purchasing and Finance.

Other Ad hoc admin tasks for London staff as required.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
  
  

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

• Delivering at Pace
  
  

Alongside your salary of £26,770, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,755 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

The Benefits Include

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Personal & professional development
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season ticket loans
• Enhanced paternal and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
  
  

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

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.

An opportunity to be considered for Reward and Recognition - £250-£5000 per year.

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.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

For additional guidance on writing a CV, please click here.

Where there is a high volume of applicants sift will be conducted on CV experience only.

During the Application stage, candidates will be assessed against the following behaviours;

• Delivering at Pace
  
  

During the Interview stage, candidates will be assessed against the following behaviours;

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• 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.

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.

Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.

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 developed vetting (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 developed vetting (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.

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 : Danielle Monaghan
• 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].