Navy Warfare Publications – Anti-Submarine and Sonar Author

Navy Warfare Publications, HMS Collingwood, Fareham, PO14 1AS

Job Summary

Navy Warfare Publications (NWP) is part of the Operational Advantage Centre (OAC) and based as a lodger unit in HMS COLLINGWOOD. Civil Servants and Armed Forces personnel work together here and NWP sits within that environment. The OAC supports joint and maritime operational commanders and capability sponsors by fusing threat, operational and performance analysis with doctrine, tactics and techniques. An Author is required to write and maintain Operational publications on all aspects of Anti-Submarine, Sonar and associated subjects as the need arises by Naval Headquarters and operating authorities of the Royal Navy. At NWP we understand the everyday commitments both inside and outside the workplace, so our aim is to provide the flexibility to maintain a great work-life balance. We also offer an impressive range of on-site facilities including for example, a gymnasium, swimming pool, squash courts and other sporting facilities, a children’s nursery, a restaurant, a handy shop and plenty of car parking spaces etc.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

NWP is the single Navy Command authority responsible for the creation and distribution of the Fleet Commander’s operational publications. As the successful candidate your role as an Author will require you to research, write and maintain publications relating to Anti-Submarine and Sonar operation in Royal Navy ships/submarines and shore establishments. You will have a detailed understanding of the subject matter from a sea going operational perspective and be proficient in the construction of informative publications that reflect current doctrine and operational use, including health and safety standards, drills and procedures. You may need to attend trials at sea and ashore, operate systems to draw in the most comprehensive range of information to prepare, plan and write accurate and timely publications that are safe and credible to use. As an NWP author you will need to assess any development in Anti-Submarine and Sonar operation as and when it occurs, incorporating consequential changes into the publications. Lastly, as part of the UK support to NATO and Regional related Working Groups international travel will be required.

Finally, you should possess the ability to write clearly and accurately, always keeping in mind the needs of the readership, using IT practices and procedures, particularly in Microsoft based software.

Location

This role will be based in HMS Collingwood and will require travel to locations across the UK. A Full UK Driving licence and willingness to drive to these locations is required as there may be no local public transport.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

NWP is the single Navy Command authority responsible for the creation and distribution of the Fleet Commander’s operational publications. As the successful candidate your role as an Author will require you to research, write and maintain publications relating to Anti-Submarine and Sonar operation in Royal Navy ships/submarines and shore establishments. You will have a detailed understanding of the subject matter from a sea going operational perspective and be proficient in the construction of informative publications that reflect current doctrine and operational use, including health and safety standards, drills and procedures. You may need to attend trials at sea and ashore, operate systems to draw in the most comprehensive range of information to prepare, plan and write accurate and timely publications that are safe and credible to use. As an NWP author you will need to assess any development in Anti-Submarine and Sonar operation as and when it occurs, incorporating consequential changes into the publications. Lastly, as part of the UK support to NATO and Regional related Working Groups international travel will be required.

Finally, you should possess the ability to write clearly and accurately, always keeping in mind the needs of the readership, using IT practices and procedures, particularly in Microsoft based software.

Location

This role will be based in HMS Collingwood and will require travel to locations across the UK. A Full UK Driving licence and willingness to drive to these locations is required as there may be no local public transport.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

Person specification

Who are we looking for?

This role is a key part in the NWP organisation and requires someone who engages with colleagues at all levels to ensure they know their responsibilities and mechanisms for delivering their work. The successful applicant will require good MS Office knowledge, have good communication and interpersonal skills as well as being proactive and able to work cohesively with all staff within NWP. There are times that work priorities change at short notice and the post holder will also need to deliver on these requirements.

Responsibilities

• As well as those already laid out in the job description, and in conjunction with the attached Terms of Reference, you will carry out all the necessary processes to produce accurate and timely publications on the defined subjects and publications.
• Maintain a close liaison with all authorities and contractors to ensure the timely provision of accurate and safe publications and changes thereto. Monitor developments in the subject area for potential effects on the publications and assess the need for amendment action to the main publications and to any associated publications. A detailed audit trail of changes, validation and approvals must be maintained.
• Ensure Subject Matter Knowledgeable Person (SMKP) status is maintained by a scheme of continual development and training drawing knowledge from all available sources.
• Work closely with the publications sponsor (Desk Officer); provide professional advice and guidance on all issues regarding the publications and contents thereof. Undertake publications tasks as requested by the Desk Officer; conflicts arising with priorities and tasking will be resolved by the Line Manager.
• Quality check the output from out-sourced hard copy printing and electronic publication CD cutting for all associated publications.
• Establish, build, maintain and prioritise a network of contacts to ensure the distribution of publications, authorise the issue of additional requests consulting with the Desk Officer as appropriate.
  
  

Licences

Essential

Full UK Manual Driving Licence

Behaviours

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

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

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
  
  

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.

Benefits We Offer

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 plus Bank Holidays
• A very competitive pension scheme
• Personal & professional development tailored to your role
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes
• Cycle to work scheme/season ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year
  
  

In Navy Command we understand the everyday commitments both inside and outside the workplace, so our aim is to provide the flexibility to maintain a great work-life balance. We also offer an impressive range of on-site facilities including a gymnasium, tennis courts and other sporting facilities, a children’s nursery, a bistro restaurant, a handy shop, plenty of car parking spaces

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.

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

Candidates will also be required to provide a statement of suitability. (500 Word count).

At sift, you will be assessed on your CV, statement of suitability and the following Behaviours:

• Communicating and influencing
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
  
  

If there is a large number of applications, the sift will be conducted on the lead Behaviour - Communicating and influencing.

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 On Your Experience Via Your CV And Statement Of Suitability Along With The Following Behaviours

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

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: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

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.

Your application must be completed by 23:55 on the closing date of the vacancy. Late submissions cannot be accepted.

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

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 : Mr Angus Benton
• Email : angus.benton102@mod.gov.uk
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
  
  

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: info@csc.gov.uk.