Army - Deployable Operational Analyst

Job summary

The Ministry of Defence, Civil Service workforce is diverse, with many different functions and professions ranging from cyber and digital transformation, police officers, security guards, trainers, human resources, teachers, psychologists, storekeepers, and policy secretariat staff to support the British Army.

The Army Operational Research Branch (ORB), which is part of the British Army’s Land Forces Command, uses analytical techniques to support better decision making. We manage and deliver research, studies, wargames, experiments and deployed scientific support. The ORBs Operational Analysis team supports the Field Army on exercises and operations. It deploys in support of British Army and NATO formations, operating at the most suitable location, whether that be in the UK or overseas. The team employs mathematical and analytical approaches to aid in military planning, problem solving and decision making. It makes full use of the analytical options presented in the Live, Virtual and Constructive environments to support senior officers in decision making. The role has a pivotal input into formation readiness and assisting the Army in planning and deploying on operations.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

As a Deployable Operational Analyst, you will be a member of the ORBs Operational Analysis Team. This is an exciting role which provides unique opportunities for you to work embedded within British Army formation Headquarters. You will deploy on exercises/operations to lead the provision of operational analysis to support planning and decision-making with formations such as 1st (UK) Division, 3rd (UK) Division and HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. Your time will be split between desk based (approximately 60% of the time) and deployed on exercise/operations with the Army (approximately 40% of the time).

You will be required to meet and maintain pre-deployment training standards, which includes a requirement to pass a CODA medical once in post and maintain a basic level of fitness. You will need to have or attain Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. There will be a regular requirement to travel, including overseas, to attend training exercises and courses, therefore there is an expectation that you will be able to facilitate this.

We will need you to:

• Deploy on exercises and operations (including planning events), for short periods, to provide OA (Operational Analysis) advice and support to Army decision making. This is likely to necessitate working in shift work for extended working days, operating in field conditions and working collaboratively with other analysts from both industry and across government
• Work as part of a team in support of a lead analyst. You will be able to use the full range of Land deployable OA tools and methods
• Be able to capture requirements for analytical support and provide timely responses using tools and other bespoke analytical methods. Be able to present back results in a concise, understandable way to a military stakeholder in both written and verbal briefs
• Establish and maintain suitable pre-deployment qualifications, to be ready to deploy on operations
• Represent Land Force Command when liaising with the Army and working in support of OA tasks, delivered by external suppliers. This may include sharing Land OA knowledge or supervising outputs
• Be able to operate common analytical methods, to cover areas such as statistical modelling, data mining, analytics, and visualisation

Person specification

Essential Skills Required:

• You must have a degree, preferably in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subject OR extensive experience in Military Operational Research.
• You must have experience of applying analytical techniques to support decision making.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of working in a military environment and/or with a military customer.
• Have experience of applying Operational Analysis techniques.
• Be a member of a relevant professional body (e.g. The Operational Research Society).

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

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

• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Operational Analysis Functional Competences – Knowledge and application of OR statement
• Operational Analysis Functional Competencies – Achieving impact with analysis

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

• Operational Analysis Functional Competences – Knowledge and application of OR statement

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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

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.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements 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