Operational Analyst 92 Sqn Weapons

Job summary

Do you want to support the Royal Air Force (RAF) – the air and space force of the Ministry of Defence?

The RAF’s success depends on their people – the Whole Force – regular and reservist military, civil servants, and contractors, all working as one, working together seamlessly. Civil servants are a central part of this Whole Force, undertaking essential work and contributing to the RAF’s mission and values. The role of civil servants in Defence is more vital than ever – now and for the future.

The Air and Space Warfare Centre (ASWC) Operational Research Branch (ORB) provides high quality, impartial and operationally focussed scientific, analytical and technical advice to enhance the warfighting capability of all elements of UK air and space power. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled individual, with proven technical knowledge and analytical skills, to play a key role in supporting the RAF's front line capability in current and future operations

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

92 Sqn is based within the Air and Space Warfare Centre at RAF Waddington and supports current and future operations by providing: Timely, precise and impartial tactical advice for commanders and operators; expert support to the development and delivery of relevant and demanding training; and specialist advice to support future capability development planning.

As the 92 Sqn Weapons analyst you will work alongside several military counterparts providing support to the squadron. Typical duties include:

• Manage the development of tactical Air to Air (A-A) and Air to Surface (A-S) tools and models to provide specialist support to 92 Sqn on weapon systems and employment.
• Be the trials scientific officer for A-A and A-S activities, including:
• Advice to support the development of test plans.
• Being responsible for data collection and exploitation.
• Conducting weapon analysis.
• Reporting findings as required.
• Develop a deep technical understanding and provide specialist advice regarding in service A-A and A-S weapons within the ORB.
• Maintain links with industry and other key stakeholders to understand current and future trends in A-A and A-S weapon development.
• Develop an understanding of adversary capabilities through engagement with defence intelligence and other agencies.
• Provide advice on A-A and A-S weapons during 92 Sqn exercises, collecting supporting evidence to aid future tactical development.

Person specification

A key role within the Squadron, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate consistent use of good scientific practice and appropriate analytical and statistical techniques to analyse problems and provide robust solutions to support decision making. They will have experience of technical evaluation and analysis in relation to the operation of A-A and A-S systems, with the ability to clearly communicate analytical results to both technical and non-technical audiences through a range of presentation methods.

As well as the provided post specific training, the post holder will have the opportunity, via research, studies and SME engagement, to further their understanding of key current and emerging capabilities.

Experience – essential:

Experience of applying a range of scientific techniques (e.g. data analysis, computer modelling, etc.) to analyse problems.

Experience of working as part of a team.

Experience of clearly communicating analytical results to a range of technical and non-technical audiences, through technical reports and presentations.

Experience of technical evaluation/analysis/ statistical techniques.

Experience – desirable:

Experience of trials conduct/trials management.

Experience of coding of data processing tools using Matlab, Python, VBA, or any other computing language.

Qualifications

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a scientific, engineering, or other numerical subject

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Achieving Impact with analysis
• Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 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).

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Holiday 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 plus 1 privilege day per year. MOD recognises the diverse religious organisations thin ts workforce and seeks to accommodate individual leave requirements.
• Special Paid Leave to volunteer up to 6 days per year
• Flexible Working - Full time staff will work 37 hours a week but have some flexibility of when they complete these hours.
• Learning & Development - MoD aims to provide its civilian staff with 5 days a year of Learning & Development (L&D) tailored to your role, delivered through a combination of high-quality training courses and informal opportunities.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• Access to retail and service discounts.
• Health and Wellbeing – we offer staff the use of the onsite gymnasium facilities with annual membership on par with commercial monthly ones.
• We also offer an excellent range of family-friendly benefits, for example, improved parental and adoption leave.
• Support accreditation with professional institutions.

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 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://ww