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Chief of Staff - Infrastructure, Force Development, Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ)

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UK Ministry of Defence

1mo ago

  • Job
    Full-time
    Mid & Senior Level
  • Government & Politics
    Business, Operations & Strategy
  • London

AI generated summary

  • You need strategic thinking, strong communication, stakeholder management skills, and the ability to deliver quality work at pace. Defence Infrastructure knowledge is desirable. Leadership abilities are essential.
  • You will drive priorities, manage outputs, oversee governance, handle correspondence, support senior leaders, lead the central team, and deliver special projects to enhance infrastructure initiatives.

Requirements

  • We are looking for a sharp, self-motivated, industrious and experienced professional.
  • You will have the ability to think strategically and to assimilate, link and brief varied and diverse issues; preparing and directing work to directly support the Director and the two 1*s (Deputy Director Infrastructure and Head Defence Estate Optimisation).
  • Far from just a coordination or business management role, this post requires someone with a keen and agile mind, focused on the delivery of core directorate outputs.
  • It demands a strong communicator with polished written skills, strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to deliver high quality work at pace.
  • You will build strong relationships across the Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ), the National Armaments Director Group (NAD) and the Department of State (DoS) as well as the wider Defence community and other government departments.
  • Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and negotiation skills will help you manage wide-ranging stakeholder agreement, including securing senior military and SCS endorsement as required.
  • It is essential that you have highly developed verbal and written communication skills including the ability to produce staff work with brevity, clarity, precision and impact.
  • The post carries an important workload, concentrated on managing and communicating issues of Ministerial and cross-government importance.
  • Head Office experience is preferred by not essential.
  • Outer Office, Secretarial and/or policy making experience would be highly beneficial.
  • The ability to work at pace, primarily alongside 2*s, 1*s, Deputy Heads and Assistant Heads as well as the ability to lead and develop subordinates are prerequisites.
  • Experience of Defence Infrastructure, and understanding of the Defence Operating Model, is desirable as is experience with business and information management processes and principles.
  • We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
  • Leadership
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Working Together
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Making Effective Decisions

Responsibilities

  • Driving cross-directorate priorities
  • Drive the delivery of directorate key outputs including management of directorate tasks and priority list & work programme.
  • Infrastructure directorate 'front door'; triage and direct new/incoming work tasks.
  • Secretary and member of 2* Senior Leadership Team meetings.
  • Act as directorate 'People Champion'.
  • Governance
  • Oversight of the secretariat responsibility of the two Infrastructure Function senior boards; the 3* Infrastructure Joint Committee and the 2* Infrastructure Steering Group.
  • Lead drafter and primary editor for Ministerial briefs, submissions, 3*/4* external briefs and cross-government engagement
  • Responsible for producing initial drafts of high profile Ministerial and senior office briefings, for driving completion by the wider team SMEs, and for providing quality control ahead of 1*/2* sign-off.
  • Coordinate and manage cross-government correspondence including Parliamentary Questions, Write Rounds and Treat Official.
  • Lead the Infrastructure Central Team
  • Line Manage (through Direct Reporting Or Matrix Management) The Infrastructure Central Team Of 1 x C1, 1 x C1 Fast Stream And 1 x D Delivering:
  • Ministerial and Parliamentary business.
  • Secretariat for the 3*/2* Infrastructure senior boards.
  • Assist Director Infrastructure, DD Infrastructure and Hd DEO in senior stakeholder management.
  • Business management, business plans and performance reporting, and business continuity.
  • Information management and exploitation.
  • External communications.
  • Directorate standard operating procedures.
  • Annual People Survey - analysis, empowerment action plan, implementation and monitoring progress.
  • Fast Streamer and Civil Service recruitment.
  • Secretariat support for Director Infrastructure.
  • Management and accountability for the provision of training and induction across the directorate including mandatory training.
  • Driving business improvement, acting on own authority to interpret policy and procedures set by MSHQ to ensure that all internal process and procedures are aligned to support Director Infrastructure in delivery of objectives.
  • Special Projects
  • Delivery of special projects as required by Director Infrastructure including:
  • Leading the empowerment agenda on behalf of Director Infrastructure.
  • Away day coordination / whole team events.

FAQs

What is the location of the Chief of Staff position?

The position is based in the City of Westminster, London, SW1A 2HB.

What is the working hour requirement for this role?

This position is advertised for 37 hours per week.

What are the key responsibilities of the Chief of Staff?

The Chief of Staff will drive the delivery of directorate priorities, oversee governance, manage workforce planning, budget management, and lead the Infrastructure Central Team, among other tasks.

Is prior experience in Defence Infrastructure required for this position?

While experience in Defence Infrastructure is desirable, it is not strictly required. Understanding the Defence Operating Model and business and information management processes is beneficial.

What types of communication skills are required for this role?

Highly developed verbal and written communication skills are essential, including the ability to produce concise, clear, and impactful staff work.

What benefits does the Ministry of Defence offer for this position?

Benefits include a Civil Service pension with significant employer contributions, flexible working policies, annual leave entitlement, special leave for military commitments, and access to various training courses.

Are there specific behaviours assessed during the selection process?

Yes, candidates will be assessed on Leadership, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together, Communicating and Influencing, and Making Effective Decisions.

Is head office experience necessary for applicants?

Head office experience is preferred but not essential. Experience in outer office, secretarial, or policy-making roles would be highly beneficial.

What is the probation period for this role?

External recruits who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Will there be any support for applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process?

Yes, the Ministry of Defence runs a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria, and reasonable adjustments can be provided upon request.

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We protect the security, independence and interests of the United Kingdom at home and abroad. We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the UK’s Armed Forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget. Our priorities 2015 to 2020 are to: protect our people project our global influence promote our prosperity maintain a strategic base and integrated global support network, and manage the Department of State