HEO Cost Estimator

HEO Cost Estimator

Ministry of Defence

Apply before 11:55 pm on Friday 12th August 2022

Reference number: 220129

Salary: £33,000

Grade: Higher Executive Officer

Contract type: Permanent

Business area: MOD - Head Office & Corporate Services - Cost Assurance & Analysis Service (CAAS)

Type of role: Finance

Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of posts: 3

About the job

Summary

This vacancy sits within the Head Office and Navy Command (HO&NC) programme team within the Cost Assurance and Analysis Service (CAAS) team. CAAS has a proud heritage which dates back over 100 years to World War One when it was formed to prevent the munitions industry from overcharging the Government. The complexities of equipment procurement forced the government at the time to recruit its own technical cost engineers into the Civil Service, to advise commercial colleagues what non-competed contract prices should be paid to industry. This forms the heart of the purpose of CAAS.

Today, the CAAS team of over 300 estimators, cost engineers, project managers, portfolio analysts and accountants provide expert independent costing advice to enable the Ministry of Defence to make effective business decisions on equipment procurement and support. CAAS provides dedicated teams to independently support customers across the MOD, including Head Office, Front Line Commands, Defence Equipment & Support and Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

CAAS is geographically dispersed around the UK with offices close to or within sites of key Defence Industrial Suppliers

The applicant will support the CAAS team, under the direction of MOD Director General Finance, to position itself at the heart of Defence and provide leadership in Cost Management to Front Line Commands (FLC), Head Office and Enabling Organisations. This will be primarily to ensure that FLCs have a better understanding of value for money, risk, their cost base and affordability.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

As a HEO Cost Estimator, you will be the Estimating Desk Office for high value, high profile projects. You will provide Subject Matter Expert (SME) advice and guidance on Cost Estimating, ensuring robust quality estimates are provided to customers to inform decision making by Senior Management.

Responsibilities

As a Cost Estimating Delivery Lead, you are responsible for leading the:

• Production of cost estimates using a range of estimating methodologies, including the development and maintenance of the basis of estimate.
• Estimation and analysis of cost risk and uncertainty for Head Office and Navy Command Projects.
• Analysis of Programme Cost Management data and Head Office Budgetary data to assess affordability.
• Agreement and controlling scope, timescales and resources to meet customer and Programme requirements.
• Stakeholder engagement with MOD, FLCs, DE&S, Industry, wider CAAS team, etc. on progress, key risks to delivery, dependencies, review, reporting, etc.
• Assurance of cost estimates and the collation and interpretation of artefacts to mature the estimate i.e., the schedule, schedule risk analysis and risk register.
• Advisement to senior stakeholders on the MOD position with respect to commercial arrangements with Industry and the veracity of the baseline to deliver MOD requirements.
• Coaching and mentoring of staff to build high performing teams. This includes championing the development of the cost estimating function and actively participating in functional events to aid the advancement of the function, the team and personal development.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Understanding the Principles of Estimating

Benefits

We are passionate about delivering great things for our customers, we also know you will have a life outside of work; we respect your priorities and our industry leading flexible working practices will give you real freedom to balance work and life.

We employ talented people who challenge and guide each other. You will work within highly capable teams who will support you to develop your skills, knowledge and experience.

The opportunity is for an inclusive leader/manager who embraces challenge and diversity.

Further main benefits include:

• Professional and Personal Development of skills;
• Flexi-time scheme upon completion of 6 months service;
• Alternative working patterns;
• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service;
• In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The Queen’s birthday;
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave;
• Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Gym and / or site shops.
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension

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.

Please note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

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/.

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

Security

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

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include: job history, previous skills and experience.

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability of no more than 250 words. Please provide experience relevant to the role.

At Sift Candidates will be assessed on the following behaviours:

• Delivering at pace
• Leadership

At Sift Candidates will be assessed on their demonstrable experience against items within Competence 8 on the attached Finance Framework

At Interview Candidates will be assessed on the following Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

At Interview Candidates will be assessed on their demonstrable experience against items within Competence 8 on the attached Finance Framework.

Please note where MOD specific requirements are within the framework, we are content with candidates drawing equivalencies from previous non MOD roles

To join us you must demonstrate Working level across competence 8 of the attached Finance Framework.

Working level is defined as: Displays understanding of what effective performance looks like.

Demonstrates practical application at work.

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.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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.

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.

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans 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 :Carol Dicks
• Email :carol.dicks103@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. Please refer to the attached Candidate Information guide.