Deputy Head Programme SOLARIUM

Programme SOLARIUM is the flagship transformation programme within UK Strategic Command that will be used to respond to the Strategic Defence Review and Defence Reform through until 2027. The programme is initiating Phase 3 of UKStratCom’s transformation as Defence Reform reshapes Defence. This Programme represents a significant commitment from our senior leadership to address the strategic challenges and opportunities facing our organisation. It is how we will deliver the necessary change to address the threats facing the UK by making the Command simpler, more adaptable, and better for the people who work in it.

We will achieve our aim of improving Strategic Command, through:

• reshaping organisational structure, to provide greater clarity and efficiency around roles and responsibilities.
• simplifying business processes, by improving access to services that lead to greater efficiency to allow colleagues to focus on delivery.
• changing our culture, to enable greater individual and organisational focus on learning and continuous improvement to deliver on our Command outputs;
• adopting agile methodology by giving colleagues the tools, time and training to improve prioritisation, transparency and speed of delivery.

There will be a requirement to work from Scale Space, White City location at least twice a week. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The successful applicant will exercise day-to-day leadership of the programme on behalf of the Senior Responsible Owner. The successful applicant will lead multiple Scrum teams as the Chief Product Owner.

The Successful Applicant Will Be Responsible For:

• Providing leadership to the Programme and ensuring its plan is aligned to Departmental and Command priorities.
• Informing and influencing Defence Reform to ensure Programme alignment;
• Keeping teams organised, on track and focussed to deliver agreed outcomes;
• Actively communicating the Programme’s intent, plan and delivery across the Command;
• Working with teams to resolve impediments affecting their delivery;
• Exercising contract management functions and delivering governance activities.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Significant experience of working within UKStratCom
• Commercial and procurement skills
• Risk and Issue Management

The following training is mandatory for this role. Training and certification will be provided in role if not already held:

• Certified Product Owner
• Certified Scrum Master

Behaviours

We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Alongside your salary of £70,540, Ministry of Defence contributes £20,435 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Learning and development tailored to your role

An environment with flexible working options

A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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.

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.

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.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting.

Nationality requirements: Open to UK nationals only.

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.