Army - Welfare Officer

UK Ministry of Defence; Larkhill; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic welfare team within a forward-thinking organization that values the well-being of its personnel. This role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of serving military members and their families. You will provide essential support and advice, ensuring that no two days are the same. With a focus on collaboration and community, you will work closely with various agencies to enhance operational effectiveness. This position not only supports personal growth but also allows you to contribute to a culture of care and support within the military community. Embrace the opportunity to make a difference in a rewarding environment.

Benefits

25 days paid annual leave

Highly competitive pension scheme

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced parental leave

Free onsite parking

Free use of gym

Personal and professional development

Learning and Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work on own initiative and with minimal direction.
• High level of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and ability to make a difference.

Responsibilities

• Provide primary welfare support and advice to officers, soldiers, and dependants.
• Manage case files adhering to data protection policies.
• Act as the CO’s representative for welfare support.

Skills

Organisational Skills

Communication Skills

Emotional Intelligence

IT Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Relevant Experience in Welfare Provision

Tools

Microsoft IT Applications

Job description

Larkhill, SP4 8QT

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 ensuring 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, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week).

However, requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance.

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, 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.

14th Regiment Royal Artillery provides a foundation of excellence, preparing new Gunners for their initial regimental employment and supporting the training and development of the wider Royal Regiment. It is located within Larkhill Garrison, north of the City of Salisbury, Wiltshire.

The Regiment delivers a wide range of Initial Trade Training activity (for Royal Artillery soldiers and officers) and facilitates Subsequent Trade Training and Equipment Support for the Royal School of Artillery.

The Regiment also delivers experimentation and innovation for the Royal Regiment, working closely with Land War-fare Centre’s Experimentation and Trials Group, alongside other cap badges and capabilities.

This role is located in Larkhill and provides support to the officers, soldiers and their dependencies of at 14th Regiment Royal Artillery and the Royal School of Artillery.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. You will be required to carry out, out of hours duty cover from home via a mobile on a rota basis. This duty will be paid in line with current Civil Service expenses.

Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and Adaptable individual who likes to make a difference to people’s lives, to join a very active welfare team, providing welfare support and advice to all serving personnel and their dependents, with no two days the same.

Key Responsibilities:

• Line management duties of one Civil Servant.
• Providing primary welfare support and advice to all the units officers, soldiers, and their dependants.
• When required brief the Commanding Officer (CO) and the Unit Chain of Command (CoC) on specific welfare cases, liaise with military and civilian welfare agencies on behalf of the CO and represent the Regt at Garrison / Brigade / Divisional welfare meetings.
• Remain current in welfare policies and procedure and manage concise case files adhering to extant data protection policies. You will also be expected to assist in drafting and co-ordination of the CO’s welfare policy.
• Conduct all work within the ‘Code of Confidentiality’.
• Advise the CoC in its dealings with an individual and or general welfare issues in accordance with cur-rent policy.
• Working collaboratively with the Unit Welfare Officer and the Military Unit Welfare Warrant Officer to enhance military operational effectiveness.
• Represent the welfare team at Unit Health Committee (UHC) meetings and CO’s Orders Group in the absence of the UWO and undertake mandatory and skill gap training when required.
• Act as the CO’s representative for welfare support, providing a focal point for all ranks, as well as the interface for dependants.
• Act as a conduit on welfare matters and concerns between families and CoC in accordance with the code of confidentiality.
• Establish and maintain links with external welfare support agencies and social services, child services and other agencies on behalf of the Regt.
• Mandatory courses will be the UWO Pt 1&2 courses, Mental Fitness Certificate, Safeguarding and Domestic Violence awareness.
• Be the first point of contact for staff including trainees and under 18s who may be suffering from mental health, wellbeing or struggling with any other issues that may affect their performance and ability to deliver.
• You will be part of the welfare team, and you will be an integral part of the School’s Unit Health Committee forum discussing sensitive and medical in confidence issues.
• You will bring a positive approach to wider site initiatives, including families’ days, military children’s events and community/charity events promoting collaborative working and networks enforcing the positive relationships we have with internal and external partners.
• You will have the opportunity to work in a mixed team of military and civil servants as part of a wider team to provide advice, guidance and personnel support to the executive management and to Sub-Unit’s service personnel to protect and sustain military operational capability.
  
  

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and Adaptable individual who likes to make a difference to people’s lives, to join a very active welfare team, providing welfare support and advice to all serving personnel and their dependents, with no two days the same.

Key Responsibilities:

• Line management duties of one Civil Servant.
• Providing primary welfare support and advice to all the units officers, soldiers, and their dependants.
• When required brief the Commanding Officer (CO) and the Unit Chain of Command (CoC) on specific welfare cases, liaise with military and civilian welfare agencies on behalf of the CO and represent the Regt at Garrison / Brigade / Divisional welfare meetings.
• Remain current in welfare policies and procedure and manage concise case files adhering to extant data protection policies. You will also be expected to assist in drafting and co-ordination of the CO’s welfare policy.
• Conduct all work within the ‘Code of Confidentiality’.
• Advise the CoC in its dealings with an individual and or general welfare issues in accordance with cur-rent policy.
• Working collaboratively with the Unit Welfare Officer and the Military Unit Welfare Warrant Officer to enhance military operational effectiveness.
• Represent the welfare team at Unit Health Committee (UHC) meetings and CO’s Orders Group in the absence of the UWO and undertake mandatory and skill gap training when required.
• Act as the CO’s representative for welfare support, providing a focal point for all ranks, as well as the interface for dependants.
• Act as a conduit on welfare matters and concerns between families and CoC in accordance with the code of confidentiality.
• Establish and maintain links with external welfare support agencies and social services, child services and other agencies on behalf of the Regt.
• Mandatory courses will be the UWO Pt 1&2 courses, Mental Fitness Certificate, Safeguarding and Domestic Violence awareness.
• Be the first point of contact for staff including trainees and under 18s who may be suffering from mental health, wellbeing or struggling with any other issues that may affect their performance and ability to deliver.
• You will be part of the welfare team, and you will be an integral part of the School’s Unit Health Committee forum discussing sensitive and medical in confidence issues.
• You will bring a positive approach to wider site initiatives, including families’ days, military children’s events and community/charity events promoting collaborative working and networks enforcing the positive relationships we have with internal and external partners.
• You will have the opportunity to work in a mixed team of military and civil servants as part of a wider team to provide advice, guidance and personnel support to the executive management and to Sub-Unit’s service personnel to protect and sustain military operational capability.
  
  

Person specification

Essential Skills:

• Organised, a good communicator with great interpersonal skills as well as a self-starter.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Sound IT Skills and with numerical and literacy skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative and with minimal direction.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence – approachable, tactful, empathetic, diplomatic and non-judgemental.
• High level of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and ability to make a difference to peoples lives.
• Remains calm whilst under pressure.
• Understand the boundaries and confidentiality of each individual client.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft IT applications.
• Hold a valid UK Driving License.
  
  

Desirable Skills:

• Has the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Enjoys working in an ever-changing environment and relish the challenge to respond quickly to emerging issues.
• Highly motivated and strong organisational skills.
• Previous welfare provision experience (Military or Civilian).
  
  

Licences

Driving Licence required

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
  
  

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
  
  

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
• Free onsite parking and on a regular Devizes / Salisbury bus route
• Onsite shop and a Costa Coffee shop
• Free use of gym for members of the Civil Service Sports and Leisure Club
• The Royal School of Artillery fully supports the Civil Service recognition and reward scheme
  
  

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.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

At application stage you will be assessed against the following:

Personal Statement:

• Write a personal statement of up to 250 words demonstrating the skills and experience listed in the person specification above, including any key responsibilities, achievements and relevant transferable skills.
  
  

Behaviours:

• Delivering at pace
• Working Together
  
  

Applications will be sifted using the Behaviours and Personal Statement that have been chosen for this campaign, but in the event of a high number of applications, the sift will be conducted on the lead Behaviour '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.

At interview stage you will be assessed against the following:

• Personal Statement - Scenario based questions will be asked to assess any previous experience or transferable skills as detailed in your personal statement.
  
  

Behaviours:

• Communicating & Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the bigger Picture
• Working Together
  
  

Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed and will be held in person. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.

Further Information

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 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 : Jacqueline Harvard
• 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].