Army - Regimental Secretary

Job summary

The Royal Army Veterinary Corps is recruited nationally, with most personnel based in the Midlands, either at the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray or the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment in North Luffenham.

The Corps comprises around 400 Regular and Reserve personnel, including Veterinary Officers, Veterinary Support Officers, Veterinary Nurses and Dog Handlers. It has a proud history and is a recognised leader across Defence in working animal capability and veterinary services.

The Corps maintains a small Regimental Headquarters, with the Regimental Secretary (the post holder) serving as the only full-time member of staff. Additional support is provided by Headquarters Royal Army Medical Services, under a Memorandum of Understanding, together with serving Royal Army Veterinary Corps personnel and veterans.

The post holder will be based at the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray and will visit the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment on a weekly basis. The role includes responsibilities across the UK and occasional travel overseas.

Acting as the central point of contact for all Regimental Headquarters matters, the post holder will support the Royal Army Veterinary Corps community, including serving personnel, veterans and dependants, while helping to sustain the wider Corps network.

The role offers a varied portfolio of responsibilities, including governance, personnel support, charity management, communications, heritage activities, community engagement, and liaison with senior military officers and members of the Royal Family. The post holder will work closely with Royal Army Veterinary Corps units to ensure Regimental Headquarters activity is aligned with and supports operational delivery.

Please note: Evening and weekend work will occasionally be required (for which time off in lieu may be taken).

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Key responsibilities:

• Act as the primary point of contact for the Royal Army Veterinary Corps Regimental Headquarters, coordinating activities and providing support to serving personnel, veterans and their families.
• Provide governance and secretariat support to senior leadership groups, committees and charitable bodies, ensuring decisions are implemented and activities are delivered in line with relevant policies and regulations.
• Manage financial, charity, membership, data and information records, ensuring accurate administration and compliance with governance requirements.
• Coordinate welfare and support services for serving and veteran personnel and their families, liaising with relevant organisations and stakeholders as required.
• Preserve and promote the Corps' heritage, traditions and identity through the organisation of events, commemorations and engagement activities.
• Lead and coordinate communications activities, including newsletters, social media and other engagement channels, promoting the work and achievements of the Corps.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including military personnel, government organisations, charities, professional bodies, academic institutions and industry partners.
• Represent the Royal Army Veterinary Corps at meetings and events, acting as a professional and credible ambassador for the Corps.
• Manage competing priorities and respond effectively to changing circumstances, using sound judgement to identify issues and implement practical solutions.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, stakeholders and volunteers to coordinate activities and deliver outcomes that support Corps and Army objectives.
• Act as the senior representative at high profile meetings and events.

Person specification

Essential skills required:

• Self-motivated, highly organised, and can co-ordinate activity to deliver effect.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to translate complex information into clear messaging.
• Confident, outgoing and able to engage effectively with a wide range of people, possessing excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to advise and influence key decision-makers.
• Calm and adaptable in changing circumstances, able to manage competing priorities with minimal direction, exercise sound judgement, anticipate issues and identify practical solutions.
• Demonstrates strong leadership and collaboration skills, harnessing the goodwill, energy and expertise of stakeholders.
• Confident using digital tools, social media and web-based communication platforms, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across government, charities, professional organisations, academia and industry.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

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 reimbur