Army Assistant Head Capability Safety

Army HQ, Andover SP11 8HT.

We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuring you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently. We expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation.  However, recognising the benefits of face to face working, especially for new joiners, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week).

Job Summary Have you considered a Civil Service career and the unparalleled opportunities it has to offer in a variety of significant roles with the potential to change the nation and people’s lives for the better?

Do you want to be a part of one of the world’s leading Defence organisations, offering a significant contribution towards the delivery of a wide-reaching and high priority of Defence support?

Join the Ministry of Defence and have a future that matters! Be Proud; Be Challenged; Be Unique

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description Exciting opportunities have arisen within the Army Safety Group for the Assistant Head of Capability Safety. The unique roles will be working to the Head of Capability Safety, supporting the delivery of capability safety across multiple programmes and projects through the complete life-cycle of an equipment capability. The successful candidates will be responsible for the condition of the Safety Arguments within their area of responsibility, ensuring compliance to Statutory, Regulatory and Policy obligations.

The overarching responsibility of this roles are to ensure the Head of the Army Safety Group and the Deputy Head (Capability Safety) are supported in their delivery on projects and to meet objectives set by Defence.

Main Role Responsibilities:

• Lead the day-to-day management of Capability Safety team members, ensuring Army HQ receives effective support aligned to the Head of Capability Safety’s priorities.
• Deliver authoritative technical equipment and Health, Safety and Environmental Protection (HS&​EP) advice to stakeholders on rapid capability acquisition, novel systems, non-standard and standard development pathways, ensuring compliance with UK legislation, MOD policy, and the Secretary of State’s safety statement.
• Lead the assurance of Capability Safety management in accordance with Army Command Standing Order (ACSO) 1201, including oversight of the Capability Safety Management System.
• Provide expert safety advice and guidance to the Chain of Command across the full equipment lifecycle (pre-service, in-service, and disposal).
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and quorate member of the Land Exemptions Committee (LEC), providing direction and supporting Army teams in the submission of non-compliance cases.
• Manage and deliver the annual Capability Safety assurance process across Army capabilities, ensuring coherence and compliance.
• Support the development and assurance of Land Equipment Safety Cases, including their quality, accuracy, integration, and alignment with ACSO 1201 requirements.
• Lead the management of capability risk referrals from National Armaments Directorate (formerly Defence Equipment &​ Support (DE&​S)), providing SME direction to inform Army risk decisions.
• Represent the Deputy Head Army Safety Group (Capability Safety) as required and support the business with additional tasks, including the transition of Safety Arguments to the Land Capability Portfolio Sponsor.

Exciting opportunities have arisen within the Army Safety Group for the Assistant Head of Capability Safety. The unique roles will be working to the Head of Capability Safety, supporting the delivery of capability safety across multiple programmes and projects through the complete life-cycle of an equipment capability. The successful candidates will be responsible for the condition of the Safety Arguments within their area of responsibility, ensuring compliance to Statutory, Regulatory and Policy obligations.

The overarching responsibility of this roles are to ensure the Head of the Army Safety Group and the Deputy Head (Capability Safety) are supported in their delivery on projects and to meet objectives set by Defence.

Main Role Responsibilities:

• Lead the day-to-day management of Capability Safety team members, ensuring Army HQ receives effective support aligned to the Head of Capability Safety’s priorities.
• Deliver authoritative technical equipment and Health, Safety and Environmental Protection (HS&​EP) advice to stakeholders on rapid capability acquisition, novel systems, non-standard and standard development pathways, ensuring compliance with UK legislation, MOD policy, and the Secretary of State’s safety statement.
• Lead the assurance of Capability Safety management in accordance with Army Command Standing Order (ACSO) 1201, including oversight of the Capability Safety Management System.
• Provide expert safety advice and guidance to the Chain of Command across the full equipment lifecycle (pre-service, in-service, and disposal).
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and quorate member of the Land Exemptions Committee (LEC), providing direction and supporting Army teams in the submission of non-compliance cases.
• Manage and deliver the annual Capability Safety assurance process across Army capabilities, ensuring coherence and compliance.
• Support the development and assurance of Land Equipment Safety Cases, including their quality, accuracy, integration, and alignment with ACSO 1201 requirements.
• Lead the management of capability risk referrals from National Armaments Directorate (formerly Defence Equipment &​ Support (DE&​S)), providing SME direction to inform Army risk decisions.
• Represent the Deputy Head Army Safety Group (Capability Safety) as required and support the business with additional tasks, including the transition of Safety Arguments to the Land Capability Portfolio Sponsor.

Person specification

Essential Skills Required:

• A sound understanding of building functional and professional organisational capability alongside experience in working with a Project Orientated Management System.
• Strong organisation skills and experience in a diverse and fast paced environment.
• A motivated starter who will go the extra mile when considering the risk and safety within projects.
• Practical experience and knowledge within a Safety Capability &​ Engineering role with a coherent leadership style, as you will be expected to engage and win agreement with internal and external Stakeholders.
• Ability to deliver against tight deadlines, proactively manage workloads and adapt to changing priorities
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral and have a good understanding of the Project Orientated Management System.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership in diverse and high performing teams with the proven ability to empower and encourage a successful team ethos is a must for you to be successful in this role.

Desirable Qualifications, Memberships, Skills &​ Experience:

• Ideally you will have a Safety Qualification

• NEBOSH
• MBA
• MSC

• Management of Risk Practitioner
• APMP Practitioner
• Level 4 in Health &​ Safety/Engineering
• Environmental Awareness &​ Compliance in Defence (EACD)
• Knowledge of Land Systems Engineering, Engineering and Business Risk management
• CMIOSH/Engineering Council or willing to work towards these once in post.

If these are not already held you must be willing to work towards these as well as other qualifications when in post. Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

Alongside your salary of £61,630, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,854 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.

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: Expe