Location
City of Westminster

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£86,000 per annum

About the Role
This senior leadership role leads a mixed military and civilian team responsible for developing policy guidance and providing military advice on operations in the UK and worldwide. It manages the Defence contribution to the cross-Government CONTEST counter-terrorism strategy and oversees MOD’s global crisis response. Working alongside a military counterpart, the post ensures that MOD can rapidly establish teams to respond to emerging crises. The role reports directly to the Director of Operational Policy.

Key Responsibilities
UK Operations: Work with the Home Office, intelligence agencies, and other government departments to support civil authorities when Defence capabilities are required, including responses to flooding, wildfires, and other emergent scenarios. Collaborate closely with UK authorities to counter terrorism within the United Kingdom and manage crisis response. Provide policy advice and oversight on military operations in the UK to senior Ministry of Defence officials and officers.

Counter-Terrorism: Lead Defence’s contribution to HMG counter-terrorism efforts overseas, including policy development and operational responses. Work with Government Departments to deliver the cross-government CONTEST strategy, including direct support to the Gulf of Aden Counter-Terrorism Senior Responsible Owner (CT SRO). Collaborate with agency colleagues, partner nations, and operational headquarters to manage overseas counter-terrorism operations, responding to policy developments and evolutions.

Crisis Response: Provide crisis management leadership by delivering short notice, fast-paced, cross-government activity (working with No.10, Cabinet Office, FCDO, among others) to establish options, balance risks, make decisions, and manage consequences. Develop training and preparations for the MOD civilian crisis response cadre, recruiting and developing volunteers to bolster the crisis team during operational responses.

Overseas Operations: Lead and manage specific overseas operations at the strategic level, providing high-quality policy advice to Defence Ministers and senior officials. Work with regional teams, the Permanent Joint Headquarters, and other government departments to develop and maintain overseas operations that deliver key Defence and government outcomes.

General: Deputise for the Director Operational Policy and Director General Policy when required, including at Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms (COBR) meetings or the Joint Intelligence Committee. Actively contribute as a member of the Senior Leadership Team on the direction and running of the Operations Directorate. Lead workstrands on areas such as diversity and inclusion or learning and development, and engage actively with staff.

Benefits
Alongside your salary of £86,000, the Ministry of Defence contributes £24,914 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Additional benefits include tailored learning and development, flexible working options, a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity, and an employer pension contribution of 28.97%.

Experience
- Outstanding policy professional with a range of policy experience in national security.
- Proven track record of strategic thinking and translating strategy and policy into successful delivery.
- Strong leadership skills demonstrated in complex and dynamic environments, with the ability to inspire, engage, and motivate diverse teams.
- Experience working with Ministers and conveying complex information to enable decision-making at speed.
- Proven ability to work in crisis situations and lead others through them.

About You
- A proactive, driven, and energetic problem solver, consistently focused on achieving delivery outcomes.
- Highly developed political awareness and personal gravitas.
- Excellent oral communication skills with a proven ability to present complex issues simply and effectively.
- Sound judgement with highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills.
- Proven ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications
- Open to UK nationals only.
- Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before appointment, including developed vetting.
- External candidates new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.