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Defence Operations
Engineering
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About the job
Benefits
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Location
About the job
Job summary
The Aerospace Systems Group develops and exploits cutting edge Science and Technology to maximise the capability of UK MoD Combat Air, Rotorcraft and Novel Autonomous Systems. We have Teams of Flight Scientists, Propulsion Engineers, Concept Developers, Performance Engineers, Mission System Experts, Analysts and Platform Integration Specialists who work across a wide range of platform systems to deliver independent expertise and advice directly to the Armed Forces.
We are at the forefront of UK strategic programmes such as GCAP, Future Vertical Lift capability and the new Autonomy Lab. We have individuals embedded in International programmes, including the US Joint Strike Fighter, in Command Headquarters, such as the RAF Rapid Capabilities Office, and in Operational Bases directly supporting in-service platforms. We work hand in hand with Industry partners and Academia to accelerate the development, demonstration and exploitation of aerospace technologies to deliver critical military advantage to front line operators.
We now have an increased need to grow integration & exploitation of the Dstl Air Systems Programme and there is a significant requirement for additional coordination in this area. Within the Air Systems Programme there are five air Integrating Capability Challenges (ICCs) which require additional support, particularly in terms of enhancing key linkages and dependencies with other relevant Programmes across Dstl drawing in science and technology (S&T) to further enhance delivery. There is also intent to create a new, sixth Integrating Capability Challenge for ‘Air Enablers’, which will cover: Force Protection; Sustaining Air Operations; and air Net Zero.
This role will be essential to improving Dstl approaches that are now critical to enabling greater technology coherence and integration in support to ICC objectives, and ultimately to the delivery of the S&T Outcomes that the Air Systems Programme is mandated to deliver.
You will be responsible for delivering an increased focus on engagement and co-ordination across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders in order to improve multi-disciplinary collaboration across the S&T Portfolio in support of the Air Systems Programme and its requirements. With the introduction of the new senior Air S&T Exploitation lead within the group, this role will provide key support to the increasing focus on Air S&T exploitation, in particular to help develop improved approaches to technology management.
This requirement, supports Dstl’s strategic objective to enable “operational advantage at pace” and will require new ways of working and a broader systems of systems approach to ensure that key stakeholders can more readily understand where investments in S&T will be essential to future operational advantage.
Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.
We particularly welcome female and ethnic minority applicants and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels.
Job description
You will:
- take the lead in developing a more integrated and coherent approach to the overall management and tasking of the total Dstl support to the Air Systems programme. Engagement in all air system and related programmes will be required to ensure coherence.
- Provide expert professional contribution, linking the strategic intent with the day to day activities at a project, system or departmental level and/or leadership of a team, possibly across a range of studies and programmes.
- Take a systemic view across projects, departments, capabilities and domains and support others to achieve and maintain the highest levels of delivery, which focus on benefits realisation.
Responsibilities include:
- The continuous improvement of an integrated system, process or organisational unit
- Managing the resources of people, materials, money and information to achieve a balanced set of results
- Ensuring cost effectiveness and efficiency, containing costs and increasing efficiency
- Identifying interdependence between their work and that of others and exploiting these to improve delivery to customers.
- Consistently seeking broader application/exploitation of their work.
Person specification
We are looking for someone who has:
- Knowledge/understanding of major UK defence aerospace projects, particularly from the technology and capability angle.
- Experience of working across organisations and organisational boundaries.
- Relationship building skills to be able to develop relevant networks of stakeholders, including direct customers, MOD representatives with no direct connection, industry and international partners.
- A strong ability to work across programmes/portfolios/borders to identify opportunities and exploit them to enhance DSTL’s Air Programmes output.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate programme intent to a range of stakeholders.
- Proven problem solving abilities.
- Confident in applying systems thinking techniques.
- The ability to lead, influence and collaborate with internal and external stake holders and partners to meet objectives and ensure programme success.
Important Information
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.
Location;
Based primarily at Dstl Portsdown West, regular travel will be required to Porton Down, RAF High Wycombe, Naval Command HQ Portsmouth, Army Command Andover, DE&S Abbey Wood, and/or MOD Main Building London. There will be additional travel to other MOD and industry sites in the UK, as well as occasional travel abroad.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Experience in designing and delivering plans to realise objectives.
- Systems thinking, consultancy and facilitation skills
Benefits
Benefits
Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:
Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
Flexible working: Working options include alternative working patterns, compressed hours, job shares and annualised hours
Flexible working hours: Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
Annual leave: A generous annual leave allowance starting at 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
Learning and Development: Encouragement and support on charterships, accreditations and access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Paid memberships with 2 relevant bodies/institutions. Employees have access to Civil Service Learning.
Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
The information pack can be found attached to the job specification on Civil Service Jobs.
Diversity
We have a number of support networks to ensure all employees feel supported at work. These include the following:
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Network
Race, Faith and Culture Network
Parents and Carer Support Network
Alternative Working Network
Gender Equality Network
New Starters Network
Enabled Network, for people with visible and non-visible disabilities.
For further information about Dstl please check out our LinkedIn page
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Paper sifting will commence 6/04/2023 with interviews due to take place week commencing 24/04/2023.
We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team [email protected] and we will do all we can to support you.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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