Northwood Headquarters
We have an opportunity for a high-calibre individual to join the heart of Royal Navy Maritime Operations at the Maritime Operations Centre, Northwood. This role is Policy Adviser to the Royal Navy’s Commander Operations (COMOPS, a 2* Royal Marine Lieutenant General), working to Deputy Commander Operations (a 1* Royal Navy Commodore).
The Maritime Operations Centre is the Royal Navy’s Operational Headquarters responsible for the operational planning, command, and logistic and engineering oversight for all ships, submarines, Royal Naval aircraft and the Royal Marines deployed globally. Commander Operations commands the operational Royal Navy and associated capabilities; they deliver Full Command on behalf of the First Sea Lord and Fleet Commander, and operates under the authority of the Ministry of Defence, Other Government Departments, and the Permanent Joint Headquarters. Commander Operations also leads Royal Navy operationally focused intelligence activity. This headquarters assimilates the operational requirements for maritime effects, joint effects, and associated planning, developing operational plans and contingent operations for execution under the Joint Command of the Fleet Commander (3*) or Chief of Joint Operations (3*), also providing maritime expertise and advice to support planning by other Headquarters. This Policy Adviser role leads the policy function within the Maritime Operations Centre, with policy, legal and media considerations advice fully coordinated into operational planning.
Over the past couple of years, this team has been involved in significant military operations, such as the Navy’s contribution to the Defence response to events in Israel and Gaza including delivery of humanitarian supplies, and ships such as HMS DIAMOND defending against Houthi action in the Red Sea, while 2025 will see the flagship Indo Pacific deployment of HMS PRINCE OF WALES and the UK Carrier Strike Group. Being at the forefront of enabling and supporting these operations is challenging but very rewarding, and we are looking for enthusiastic, hard-working and resilient Civil Servants who are passionate about helping the UK deliver military operations.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
This role is focused on and passionate about the policy aspects of maritime operations around the world, with this Policy Adviser role and the C1/Senior Executive Officer Policy role it leads providing the N9 Policy function within the Maritime Operations Centre. These roles operate within the Command Group working closely with the Legal Adviser and Media Officer to provide direct and coherent support to Commander Operations and teams across the Headquarters. As the primary source of independent policy advice in direct support of maritime operations worldwide, there is a need to work closely with other partner organisations, both within the Navy (Naval Staff regional leads, Naval Secretariat), in the Ministry of Defence (Permanent Joint Headquarters policy staff, deployed Policy Advisers, Defence Attachés, Security Policy and Operations leads), other Departments, as well as engaging international partner nations and their armed forces.
Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities for this post include:
This role requires the post holder to take part in an on-call out of hours rota, shared equally with the C1/Senior Executive Officer policy post. This is maintained to respond to breaking operational and urgent issues and additional hours are compensated.
The successful candidate will have:
The successful candidate can ideally demonstrate:
Applicants should hold current Developed Vetting or be willing to undergo the process. Continuation in the post is dependent upon successfully obtaining this level of clearance.
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 £59,690, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,292 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Alongside your salary of £59,690, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,292 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference. Navy Command 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 Navy Command civil servants include:
In Navy Command 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 an apprenticeship as part of your role.
An apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through an apprenticeship you will gain professional knowledge, practical experience, and the broader skills required to upskill you in your current role and pave the way for your future career. Most of the training will be 'on-the-job', with the remaining 'off-the-job' training often delivered by a training provider. This means minimal disruption and maximum impact.
Professional qualifications can be achieved through an apprenticeship and range from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Levels), and Levels 4-7, which can give you a foundation degree, a full Bachelors degree, or a Masters degree.
Apprenticeships normally last between 12 months - years, depending on the level of the
apprenticeship. Anyone can undertake an Apprenticeship and everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from developing their skills in an accredited way. Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.
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.
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.
Please note: Interview travel expenses will not be reimbursed.
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 Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
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 www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
The post attracts the Inner London Recruitment and Retention allowance (RRA) of £3300PA. 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.
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Developed Vetting.
See our vetting charter.
People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.
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
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