Cardiff
Job Summary
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA), part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), champions veterans of the UK Armed Forces and their families. The OVA works across the UK government and beyond to deliver for veterans, helping them to make brilliant contributions to society after service.
Some of our veterans may need additional support to thrive after leaving service. Working with devolved governments, local government, the third sector and businesses, we ensure that those who leave the armed forces have their contribution recognised, are given the right tools to transition into civilian society and can access effective ongoing support to achieve the best outcomes in employment, health, housing and other areas of need.
Veterans across the UK will have easier access to essential care and support under the new VALOUR system, as part of the Government’s commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who have served through the Plan for Change. £50m of funding will establish a new network of VALOUR-recognised support centres across the UK and deploy VALOUR Field Officers to connect local, regional and national services - while harnessing the power of data to shape better services.
This is a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of veterans and their families. You will become part of a team of passionate, committed, innovative and forward-thinking colleagues and be able to draw on a wealth of expertise to drive this ambitious programme forward. You will be able to make your mark by supporting VALOUR to transform the UK’s veteran support landscape.
This is an exciting time to join the OVA to support the VALOUR initiative, which will attract regular Ministerial and media attention.
This leadership role within VALOUR HQ is responsible for overseeing a team of field-based ‘VALOUR Field Officers’ across Wales. The VALOUR Manager Wales will play a central role in embedding a new regional operating model for veterans’ services, coordinating intelligence, standardising delivery, and building local partnerships while supporting national change and transformation efforts.
This position is key to shaping and embedding a new way of working. It blends leadership, engagement, and operational delivery with change management, helping to establish and grow VALOUR’s Field Officer Network during a period of significant transformation.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job Description
As VALOUR Manager Wales, you will lead a team of VALOUR Field Officers embedded within communities throughout Wales. These officers will bring together stakeholders (including local authorities, charities, and other relevant services), to ensure that veterans and in time, the wider Armed Forces Community, receive coordinated and timely support.
You will play a critical role in establishing and embedding this new model, ensuring your team works consistently and effectively while also supporting wider system transformation. You will help shape processes, feedback mechanisms, and team culture to ensure long-term sustainability. Regular travel across your region will be required to support your team, engage senior partners, and promote the network’s growth and success.
This role offers the opportunity to directly influence the evolution of veterans’ services in Wales and throughout the UK.
Key Work Areas:
- Develop and maintain trusting and effective relationships across Wales with regional and local stakeholders providing services to the Armed Forces community.
- Develop and facilitate effective sub-regional forums and networks convening all relevant local stakeholders, ensuring clear channels for communication.
- Identify opportunities for taking forward action on defined strategic priorities and drive collaborative implementation across local government led partnerships.
- Contribute to VALOUR system improvements by aiding visibility and understanding of the veteran support ecosystem at the regional and local level and sharing best practice across maintained partnerships.
- Promote awareness of statutory services and initiatives and influence regional strategies to improve outcomes for the Armed Forces community.
Please note that this role is likely to evolve to respond to priority changes to the Armed Forces support landscape and a degree of flexibility is expected.
As VALOUR Manager Wales, you will lead a team of VALOUR Field Officers embedded within communities throughout Wales. These officers will bring together stakeholders (including local authorities, charities, and other relevant services), to ensure that veterans and in time, the wider Armed Forces Community, receive coordinated and timely support.
You will play a critical role in establishing and embedding this new model, ensuring your team works consistently and effectively while also supporting wider system transformation. You will help shape processes, feedback mechanisms, and team culture to ensure long-term sustainability. Regular travel across your region will be required to support your team, engage senior partners, and promote the network’s growth and success.
This role offers the opportunity to directly influence the evolution of veterans’ services in Wales and throughout the UK.
Key Work Areas:
- Develop and maintain trusting and effective relationships across Wales with regional and local stakeholders providing services to the Armed Forces community.
- Develop and facilitate effective sub-regional forums and networks convening all relevant local stakeholders, ensuring clear channels for communication.
- Identify opportunities for taking forward action on defined strategic priorities and drive collaborative implementation across local government led partnerships.
- Contribute to VALOUR system improvements by aiding visibility and understanding of the veteran support ecosystem at the regional and local level and sharing best practice across maintained partnerships.
- Promote awareness of statutory services and initiatives and influence regional strategies to improve outcomes for the Armed Forces community.
Please note that this role is likely to evolve to respond to priority changes to the Armed Forces support landscape and a degree of flexibility is expected.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- Excellent interpersonal skills with experience managing relationships with a range of stakeholders in different sectors and at differing levels of seniority.
- Strong communication skills, both verbally and written, including proven presentation skills, with confidence to speak in public to a range of audiences.
- A proven track record of stakeholder management, working collaboratively, developing or supporting forums, and being able to adapt to changing scenarios.
- Confidence working remotely, acting on initiative, and being self-starting.
- Proven organisational skills and ability to prioritise and plan workload efficiently.
- Confidence navigating complex operating environments, including strong and demonstrable problem-solving abilities.
- Knowledge of the development and application of the Armed Forces Covenant, the challenges of military service, and transitions to civilian life.
- A full UK Driving Licence and/or willingness to undertake frequent travel (predominately local and regional, and to a lesser extent UK wide).
Desirable Criteria:
- Although Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they would be an asset. This role is a Welsh language skills desirable role.
- Experience of operating within the Armed Forces community support landscape.
- Experience or understanding of Devolved Government and local government structures.
- Experience in policy and strategy development across government.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 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%
The MOD supports hybrid working with regular attendance expected in the office. There 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. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance.
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 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 Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
At
application, you will be assessed against the following.
Experience:
- CV including job history and qualification details
- Statement of suitability (500-word count)
Important tip - please ensure that your statement includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “person specification” section above.
Behaviours:
- 250 words on the lead behaviour (Leadership)
Should a large number of applications be received, the sift will be conducted in stages. An initial sift will be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift based on their CV and the lead behaviour (Leadership).
At
interview, you will be assessed against the following.
Behaviours:
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences.
- You will also be assessed against one Strength.
The sift is expected to be completed in December, with interviews being held w/c 12th and 19th of January. Dates are subject to change.
The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.
The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk.
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to 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. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It 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.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
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.
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.
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 the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
- Name : Laura van der Merwe
- Email : Laura.VanderMerwe101@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dbscivpers-resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
Further information
Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.
