Collections Researcher & Security Officer

UK Ministry of Defence; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

The Naval Historical Branch seeks a Collections Researcher & Security Officer to manage archival collections and ensure their security. This role involves supporting research efforts and maintaining effective resources for the Royal Navy. Flexible working options may be available.

Benefits

Civil Service pension with employer contribution of 28.97%

25 days paid annual leave

Flexible working options

Personal & professional development

Qualifications

• Experience of working in Defence.
• Ability to work effectively in a small team.

Responsibilities

• Manage NHB’s archival collection and support research team.
• Ensure security and integrity of NHB collections.
• Develop expertise in resources for assessing Royal Navy history.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

MoD Defence Establishment Security Officer course

Job description

Naval Historical Branch, HM Naval Base Portsmouth

Job Summary

The Naval Historical Branch (NHB) uses specialist knowledge of historical and contemporary naval issues, in the context of a broader understanding of wider defence and security policy, to inform RN policy and strategy.

The Collections Researcher & Security Officer plays a vital role in the team. They help to manage the NHB’s extensive archival collection and support the NHB research team to deliver casework. They also have lead responsibility within the team for ensuring the security and integrity of the NHB collections, making sure that materials are properly protected and that the physical security of NHB facilities is maintained.

The need to use the NHB archives means you will need to work in the NHB offices in HMNB Portsmouth for most of your time, but flexible working and some working from home may be possible after discussion with your line manager.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

The role of the Collections Researcher & Security Officer is to support the Deputy Head of Branch and Historical Researchers in the use and maintenance of the NHB archive collections, and ensure the safety and security of the NHB collections and facilities in line with MoD requirements and guidance.

The Post Holder Will:

• Assist the Deputy Head of Branch by ensuring the collections, data and corporate knowledge of the Naval Historical Branch are retained as an effective resource for the RN (requires approximately 3 days per week).
• Act as Unit Security Officer for the Naval Historical Branch, ensuring the security and integrity of the Branch facilities, personnel and collections (requires approximately 2 days per week).
• Develop and maintain expertise in the internal and external resources available forassessingthe history and record of the Royal Navy.
• Work with archival and library materials held at the NHB and elsewhere as directed, to support the work of other members of the NHB team.
• Develop and maintain a network across relevant Royal Navy organisations, liaising with stakeholders.
• Work to bring people, processes, connectivity and technology together to maximise effectiveness and productivity.
  
  

The role of the Collections Researcher & Security Officer is to support the Deputy Head of Branch and Historical Researchers in the use and maintenance of the NHB archive collections, and ensure the safety and security of the NHB collections and facilities in line with MoD requirements and guidance.

The Post Holder Will:

• Assist the Deputy Head of Branch by ensuring the collections, data and corporate knowledge of the Naval Historical Branch are retained as an effective resource for the RN (requires approximately 3 days per week).
• Act as Unit Security Officer for the Naval Historical Branch, ensuring the security and integrity of the Branch facilities, personnel and collections (requires approximately 2 days per week).
• Develop and maintain expertise in the internal and external resources available forassessingthe history and record of the Royal Navy.
• Work with archival and library materials held at the NHB and elsewhere as directed, to support the work of other members of the NHB team.
• Develop and maintain a network across relevant Royal Navy organisations, liaising with stakeholders.
• Work to bring people, processes, connectivity and technology together to maximise effectiveness and productivity.
  
  

Person specification

Essential:

• Experience of working in Defence
  
  

Highly Desirable:

• Has completed MoD Defence Establishment Security Officer course.
• Experience of supporting the management and use of archival collections.
• Able to use, evaluate and exploit different information sources effectively.
• Able to maintain and improve systems and practices to ensure the security and safety of facilities and stored material.
• Ability to work effectively in a small team, and with colleagues across the wider organisation.
• Ability to effectively communicate and influence stakeholders (internal and external)
• Be confident in the use of a range of IT systems.
  
  

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
  
  

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.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
  
  

As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference. Navy Command 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 Navy Command Civil Servants Include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service.
• Personal & professional development
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year
  
  

In Navy Command 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 an apprenticeship as part of your role.

An apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through an apprenticeship you will gain professional knowledge, practical experience, and the broader skills required to upskill you in your current role and pave the way for your future career. Most of the training will be ‘on-the-job’, with the remaining ‘off-the-job’ training often delivered by a training provider. This means minimal disruption and maximum impact.

Professional qualifications can be achieved through an apprenticeship and range from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Levels), and Levels 4-7, which can give you a foundation degree, a full Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree.

Apprenticeships normally last between 12 months – 3 years, depending on the level of the apprenticeship.

Anyone can undertake an apprenticeship and everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from developing their skills in an accredited way.

Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.

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 sift, you will be assessed against your CV and the following:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
  
  

If there is a large number of applications we may only sift on CV.

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 Interview, You Will Be Assessed Against The Following:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
  
  

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 : Andrew Harris
• 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].