About the job

Summary

We are seeking around 20 SEO (C1) Policy Advisers to be matched to current and anticipated vacancies within the Security Policy and Operations (SPO) are of the Ministry of Defence Head Office. SPO is the part of the Ministry of Defence that provides both policy advice to Ministers on security and operational matters, and strategic direction to our Armed Forces.

Our Policy Advisers make a vital contribution to SPO outputs. They are the heartbeat of the policy teams, linking with colleagues across Whitehall to ensure consistency with the National Security Strategy and working alongside military colleagues to deliver policy and military advice to Ministers.

The positions are advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

As a policy adviser in one of our geographic or cross-cutting teams, you will be working with colleagues in other government department and agencies to develop and support National Security Strategies on topics like counter terrorism, trade and prosperity, government and industry security, Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear, and conflict and stabilisation.

You could be working with our network of Defence Sections in our overseas embassies to develop and deliver regional programmes tailored to these strategies. Or you might work on specialist issues like personnel security, counter-drone policy, Official Secrets Act reform, historical allegations against British troops, defensive and offensive cyber, investment security and special operations.

In most roles you will have to develop a good understanding of Defence Ministers' priorities. In some roles you will work closely with military colleagues providing advice on defence capabilities and capacities relevant to your area of policy responsibility.

Responsibilities

The specific duties will vary for different roles, and levels of experience. The core skills required of all Policy Advisers and illustrated in the Policy Skills Standard at Practitioner level, and Assistant Policy Advisers at Development level. The key responsibilities for SPO SEO (C1) Policy Adviser are likely to include the following:

-Act as the policy lead for your policy area in SPO (e.g. geographic or thematic policy), including the development, evidence, design, Parliamentary business and implementation of policy.

-Demonstrate sound understanding of current affairs (e.g. domestic, international, political) that have relevance to your policy area.

-Have a good understanding of diversity. Consider the impact of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of policy development and of the work.

-Build relationships across MOD policy leads, military staff, other Government Departments/Whitehall, international partners and other stakeholder organisations.

-Share understanding of activity, working alongside policy colleagues in your team and wider SPO, seek out ways to deliver defence effects in your area that meet the defence strategic aims.

-Support the Assistant Head on operational issues by working closely with military colleagues to develop plans for military operations and exercises to support Defence intent.

-Provide advice to seniors and ministers on a wide range of policy issues.

-Act as a line manager, with responsibility for routine line management duties.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace