London
Founded in 1927 and based in the heart of London, the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) is the senior college within the UK Defence Academy and educates 100+ senior military officers, diplomats, and civilian officials from 50+ countries in the art and science of strategy making and leadership.
The Global Strategy Programme (GSP) is an 11 month course, which concentrates on the wide range of factors that relate to national, regional and global stability, security and prosperity at the grand strategic level. The purpose of the course is to equip graduates with greater understanding of the international strategic context, who are skilled in strategic analysis and strategy formulation, and are able to work intuitively across national, cultural and ideological boundaries to lead or contribute to developing strategy at the highest level.
Reporting to the Head of the GSP, the GSP Directing staff is a team of 9 people working across the College’s output areas. We are responsible for designing a stimulating programme, and we work closely across Whitehall, the UK, and internationally, to deliver world-renowned strategy education. If you are a team player, intellectually curious, highly organised and collaborative, and enjoy working in a fast-paced, cosmopolitan environment, this role could be for you.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
As part of team of 9 Directing Staff (DS), each Course Design & Delivery Lead has a variable and interchangeable portfolio, which covers the detailed design, delivery and programming of elements of the GSP across an academic year. The portfolio includes direct responsibility for designing major course components including seminars, lectures, strategy case studies, strategic leadership talks, study visits both in the UK and overseas, and strategy exercises (week-long dynamic role-play political simulation events).
You will undertake independent research, analysis and engagement across Whitehall and academia to identify new intellectual approaches, build new partnerships and drive innovation in the design of course components. You will lead on the detailed drafting of lecture specifications and the identification and arrangement of suitable external expert speakers from the world’s best universities, think tanks, journalism, NGOs, international organisations, governments and the private sector. You will oversee those course elements you design and be responsible for administration and logistics for the day-to-day running of the course, and you will assess feedback from Members (students) and staff to inform future planning.
Working closely with external organisations such as NGOs, private sector companies, military units, local government, embassies and high commissions, you will have a leading role in the planning, project management, governance, practical organisation and delivery of educational study tours such as:
In executing an OST, you will undertake three weeks of detached duty each May/June, working very long days, which could be in a challenging or austere environment. The OSTs are one of the most rewarding aspects of the GSP.
Main Responsibilities
The post holder will require the following attributes and abilities:
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
Alongside your salary of £44,590, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this 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.
London locations may attract an allowance of £3,300 per annunm
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://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.
Read Full Description