Defence Open Source Intelligence Centre (DOC) - Capability Development Manager

Location

RAF Wyton, Huntingdon, PE28 2EA

About the job

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As an important part of the Ministry of Defence, Defence Intelligence (DI) provides intelligence analysis, specialist outputs and advice that supports decision making across government. At the heart of DI is the National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI).

One key area of the organisation is the Defence Open Source Intelligence Centre (DOC). The DOC provide specialist, advanced and ground-breaking Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) to the Armed Forces and other Partners Across Government (PAG).

We have an exciting opportunity for a hardworking and driven individual to join the fast-paced DOC Discover Team.

This role is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Discover Team ensures that it and its contractors are adequately supporting Defence OSINT users by affording the best possible service to the analysts. The team continually develop the Open-Source (OS) exploitation IT system, assess new commercially available software tools, services and data. Providing horizon scanning across industry and working with innovation partners across MOD and HMG ensures continual development. As the Capability Development Manager responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Main Responsibilities:

• Delivery of improved OSINT capability, including delivery of commercially available OSINT tools and platforms, in-house developed capability and support data first approaches to OSINT.
• Ensure that the DOC and its contractors are effectively supporting Defence OS users through capability development and tradecraft advice.
• Champion and organise crowdfunding initiatives across the different Capability Areas to unlock better and more affordable services for Defence.
• Collaborate across other innovation communities across defence to introduce and develop new capability to the user assessing the technical, financial and security feasibility of these capabilities and setting subsequent work priorities.
• Collaborate across MOD, HMG, FVEY, and NATO initiatives to ensure that OSINT activity is aligned with other programmes and enables Standard process practice.
• Act as Product Owner for specific capabilities as needed.
• Keep up with new OSINT and technology trends such as relevant cloud services, specialist tools, and programming languages.

The role will require working closely with Defence Open Source users, Centre for Intelligence Innovation, DSTL and Industry partners to ensure developmental work and operational output co-ordinates with wider Defence innovation initiatives. There will also be close collaboration with other members of the DOC Discover Team to ensure work is in line with broader Defence requirements and enables the development of new capability.In Defence Intelligence (DI) our people solve problems, create understanding and give perspective to the diverse and complex Defence threats and challenges in a rapidly changing world. Together our civilians and military personnel inform decision making in Defence, manage complex finance programmes and develop new technology.  

In DI we believe your unique experiences, view and understanding of the world could provide a vital perspective and contribution to our work. We recognise that great minds do not think alike and are striving to increase our diversity representation at all levels. As an equal opportunities employer we hire, train and promote people based on merit and inspire to create an inclusive Work environment free of discrimination. We also offer flexible working arrangements such as flexi-time, job share and compressed hours.  
All jobs advertised in DI are subject to fair and open competition.Person specificationCandidates should have a flexible approach to their work and be able to adapt to changing priorities and undertake a variety of, often concurrent, tasks, sometimes within challenging timescales. We are seeking confident communicators, comfortable engaging with a diverse range of individuals and teams both within their own and external organisations. Individuals with the want and ability to invest in developing, building and maintaining positive, trusting relationships, collaborating to improve and drive the capability going forward.

• Confident presentation skills, experience of communicating complex ideas and programmes to senior leaders and approval boards.
• Understanding of Open Source Intelligence and use.
• Experience of working within AGILE project delivery or similar approaches
• Experience in working with user communities to successfully bring together requirements and deliver measurable improvements to capabilities.

Essential criteria:

• Experience in development and delivery of data collection and/or analysis capability.
• Understanding of OSINT and the value it delivers.
• Awareness of or experience of using AGILE project management approaches or similar.

Desirable criteria:

• Knowledge of Cloud hosting and computing processes.
• Knowledge and/or experience of delivering Innovation in Defence.

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

• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

BenefitsAlongside 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.

‍We offer a range of excellent benefits including but not limited to the following:  

• All successful candidates will be eligible to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme with an average employer contribution of 29.87%.
• Leave entitlement - 25-day annual leave allowance per year increasing by 1 day per year (maximum 30 days per year). In addition, 8 statutory Bank Holidays and 1 privilege day per year.  
• Complementing our generous annual leave allowance, we also have a flexible working scheme.  
• Additional working pattern options – we have a strong culture of flexible working and encourage all employees to have a healthy work/life balance. We offer a wide range of potential working patterns, including part time, job share and compressed hours. These need to be balanced with business needs so they will vary from job to job. If you would like to know more, please speak to the Recruiting Line Manager.  
• Professional Development - We are committed to your continued professional and personal development with learning as one of our core values.  
• Health and Wellbeing – for a small fee we offer the staff the use of the exceptional site gymnasium facilities.
• We also offer an excellent range of family-friendly benefits, for example, enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.  
• Special Paid Leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year  
• RAF Wyton has free car parking; and other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club, Gym and onsite shop.

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.

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.

Things you need to knowSelection process details

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

Applicants should apply for this role online, via the website.

Assessment at sift and interview will be based on meeting any defined skill/qualification requirements along with a Success Profile element assessment, as detailed in the job advert. The Success Profile elements to be assessed will be outlined within the job advert. The Civil Service Success Profile Framework is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles

When completing your CV and personal statement, please read and understand the requirements described in the Job Description and Person Specification section thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against.

Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc.  You may choose to address each criteria separately or have examples that cover and evidence several criteria. Please ensure you evidence the requirements and what you have done that relates to the requirements.  You don’t have to explain the whole process, focus on what you have done and the skills and experience you have used.  Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why, what you can do and the technical and behavioural skills you have that correspond to the requirements, and life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role.

All applicants will need to provide a personal statement, of no more than 500 words, including evidence of the essential and desirable criteria requested within the job advert.

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

Candidates will be assessed against the following Behaviours at Interview-

Communicating and Influencing

Delivering at Pace

Seeing the Big Picture

Changing and Improving

We would generally expect Behaviour examples to follow the STAR structure and encourage candidates to use this throughout their application.

Application/Interview Scoring System

NCGI adopts a scoring system of 1-7 for Behaviours, Technical skills, and Experience.

7- The evidence provided wholly exceeds expectation at this level

6 - Substantial positive evidence; includes some evidence of exceeding expectations at this level

5 - Substantial positive evidence of the competency or behaviour

4 - Adequate positive evidence and any negative evidence would not cause concern

3 - Moderate positive evidence but some negative evidence demonstrated

2 - Limited positive evidence and/or mainly negative evidence demonstrated

1 - No positive evidence and/or substantial negative evidence demonstrated

The sift should take place within two weeks of the job closing and candidates will be informed of the results, at all stages, via the website. Interview dates are to be confirmed.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.  

If the successful candidate does not hold the necessary clearances, they will be made a provisional job offer and asked to undergo our vetting procedures. Once the relevant clearances have been obtained a formal job offer will be made and start dates can be discussed. Should the candidate fail to obtain the relevant clearances the provisional job offer will be rescinded. It should be noted that this process can take several months.

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.

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.

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.

Nationality requirementsOpen 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.

Diversity and InclusionThe 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).Apply and further informationThis 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 applicantsJob contact :

• Name :NCGI Personnel Team
• Email :ukstratcom-di-ncgi-recruitment@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further informationPlease 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.