Army Unit Welfare Officer

About the job Job summary The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants.
Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations.
Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff.
There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army.
The successful candidate will be responsible to the Commanding Officer for the support, assistance and welfare advice given to Service Personnel and their dependencies of the unit.
Working within a Code of Confidentiality to underpin operationally capability to a Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) Battalion.
You will deal with individual cases and be expected to brief the Chain of Command (CoC), when necessary.
Lead in building close working relationships with relevant welfare agencies and social services and represent the unit on a variety of welfare forums when necessary.
Ensure that appropriate and timely referrals are made to relevant agencies when specialist intervention is required.
You will also have line management responsibilities for one Admin Officer (AO) who will act as your welfare clerk, assisting you in a variety of administrative duties and the running of a welfare community facility.
The role is advertised at 37 hours a week.
Job description The responsibilities of this post will include, but are not limited to, the following: Providing primary welfare support and advice to all the units officers, soldiers, and their dependents When required brief the Commanding Officer and the Unit Chain of Command on specific welfare cases, liaise with military and civilian welfare agencies on behalf of the CO and represent the Battalion at Garrison / Brigade / Divisional welfare meetings Remain current in welfare policies and procedure and manage concise case files adhering to extant data protection policies.
You will also be expected to assist in the drafting and co-ordination of the COs welfare policy Conduct all work within the Code of Confidentiality Provide advice to the CO and CoC on preventative measures relating to incidents of self-harm and suicide in conjunction with external and internal welfare agencies Advise the CoC in its dealings with individual and or general welfare issues in accordance with current policy Working collaboratively with the military Unit Welfare Officer (UWO) to enhance military operational effectiveness Represent the welfare team at Unit Health Committee (UHC) meetings and COs Orders Group in the absence of the military UWO and undertake mandatory and skill gap training when required Act as the COs representative for welfare support, providing a focal point for all ranks, as well as the interface for dependants Act as a conduit on welfare matters and concerns between families and CoC in accordance with the code of confidentiality Establish and maintain links with external welfare support agencies and social services, child services and other agencies on behalf of the Battalion Carry out of hours duty cover from home via a mobile, most likely one week on and one week off, but timings can be worked out.
This duty will be paid in line with current Civil Service expenses Line management duties of one Administrative Officer Essential training will be provided.
Mandatory courses will be the UWO Pt 1&2 courses, Mental Fitness Certificate, Safeguarding and Domestic Violence awareness.
Person specification Essential Sound IT Skills and with numerical and literacy skills Ability to work on own initiative and with minimal direction A high level of Emotional Intelligence and ability to make a difference to peoples lives Desirable Previous welfare experience Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Making Effective Decisions Working Together Developing Self and Others We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Benefits Alongside your salary of 28,300, Ministry of Defence contributes 8,198 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
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: 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 Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
; Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
At application you will need to provide a CV and a personal statement of no more than 500 words evidencing your suitable for the role against the essential criteria and job description.
You will also be assessed against the following behaviours Seeing the bigger picture Communicating and influencing Delivering at pace Applicants will sifted on all elements but, in the event of a high number of applicants, these will be sifted on the CV, personal statement and a lead behaviour - Communicating and influencing.
At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours Making effective decisions Working together Developing self and others Sifting is due to take place within 7 working days of the closing date.
Interview dates are to be confirmed but will be held in person in Tidworth.
A minimum of 2 full working days notice will be provided for interviews.
We endeavour to stick to these dates, but these are subject to change around business needs.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.
There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: ****** .
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.
The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.
The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
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).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.
As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.
To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
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Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : John Reed Email : ****** Recruitment team Email : ****** Further information Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application.
Please refer to the attached Candidate Information guide.