Logistics Policy and Plans Officer - Army

Job summary

Do you want to help shape how the Army delivers modern, supportable and sustainable capability? This role sits within Army Headquarters, Support Directorate, Logistics Policy and Plans, a team that helps ensure Army programmes deliver capability that can be operated, maintained, sustained and supported through life.

This role will help provide logistic policy advice, support assurance and constructive challenge to Army programmes and projects. You will work with programme teams, National Armaments - Materiel, support specialists and senior stakeholders to identify risks, test assumptions and shape practical support solutions that enable the Army to deliver Capability, not equipment alone.

This is a varied and influential role for someone who can work across organisational boundaries, communicate clearly and turn complex support issues into practical advice, decisions and actions. We welcome applications from people with relevant logistics, support, capability, programme or acquisition experience who are motivated to make a tangible contribution to Army modernisation.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Army is delivering a significant programme of modernisation across its equipment, people, processes and ways of operating. For these changes to succeed, new capabilities must be supportable from the outset, with clear plans for maintenance, supply, training, infrastructure, information, safety, commercial arrangements and through-life support.

In this role, you will support the assurance of all areas of the Defence Lines of Development that impact Support, across Army programmes and projects. You will help programme teams understand what good support looks like, identify support risks and dependencies, and provide advice that helps senior leaders make informed decisions. The work is varied and fast moving, with opportunities to influence programmes across the capability lifecycle.

You will be part of a small team with a wide reach across Army Headquarters, delivery organisations, capability teams and subject matter experts. The role requires sound judgement, good staff skills and the confidence to brief and influence senior stakeholders. It is suited to someone who can build relationships, apply constructive challenge and help convert complex issues into clear, actionable plans.

Key responsibilities:

• This role currently line manages one Executive Officer.
• Provide logistic policy and support assurance advice to Army programmes and projects, helping ensure new capabilities are supportable, sustainable and deliverable through life.
• Support the assurance of the Logistic Defence Line of Development, identifying risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies that may affect programme delivery or operational support.
• Engage with programme teams, Capability Sponsors, National Armaments-Materiel, support specialists and other stakeholders to shape support solutions and improve delivery outcomes.
• Contribute to Support Assurance Boards, programme working groups, logistics forums and senior briefings, providing clear advice and evidence-based recommendations.
• Translate complex support issues into concise written products, action plans and briefing material for senior decision-makers – e.g. draft Support Maturity Reports.
• Track actions, risks and decisions across a portfolio of activity, ensuring progress is visible and follow-up is timely.
• Use logistics, support and programme knowledge to apply proportionate challenge to plans, assumptions and delivery proposals.
• Help develop and improve support assurance processes, lessons learned and ways of working across the Army change portfolio.
• Build effective working relationships across military, civil service, contractor and industry teams to support successful capability delivery.
• Be willing to travel occasionally to support engagement with programme teams, delivery organisations and stakeholders.

Person specification

Essential skills required:

• Experience of working in Defence logistics, support, capability development, acquisition, programme delivery or a closely related field.
• Ability to understand complex information, identify key risks and dependencies, and turn this into clear advice or action.
• Experience of working with multiple stakeholders to influence outcomes and build effective working relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief senior audiences clearly and confidently.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, track progress and maintain attention to detail.
• Ability to apply sound judgement and constructive challenge in a complex environment.
• Confidence to be able to work across military, civil service, contractor and industry teams.
• Motivation to contribute to Army modernisation and improve how support is considered throughout programme delivery.

Desirable skills:

• Experience in a Combat Service Support, joint logistics, programme, project or capability role.
• Operational logistics or support experience.
• Experience of working with Defence Equipment and Support, capability sponsors, delivery teams or industry partners.
• Understanding of the Defence capability lifecycle and how support considerations affect successful delivery.
• Experience of risk management, assurance activity, governance forums or senior decision-making processes.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture

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:

• You will be assessed on P3M23: INDEPENDENT ASSURANCE from the Portfolio, Programme, and Project management framework.

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, practica