Army – Data Protection Assistant

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 Defence College of Support (DCSp) delivers training to all Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force service personnel in Supply, Distribution, Driving, Catering, Policing & Guarding and Personnel Administration.
The college is made up of 3 schools; Defence School of Logistics and Administration (DSLA) predominantly based at Worthy Down; Defence School of Policing and Guarding (DSPG) in Southwick Park; and Defence School of Transport (DST) at Leconfield. The college headquarters is also based at Worthy Down – a newly built, modern campus in Hampshire.
This role sits within DSLA, and the Worthy Down Support Unit Joint Admin Office. The Admin Office is responsible for the delivery of centralised services of pay and administration support to Military Personnel.
The position is advertised at 37 hours per week, and attendance to the stated site will be required. Hybrid working can be considered and discussed with the line manager once training has been completed.
Are you looking for a new role? Do you have an interest in supporting military personnel with managing and training personnel information. This role could be just what you are looking for!
The Data Protection Assistant role offers an exciting opportunity to provide administrative support to the Data Protection Officer and initiate any vetting requirements for the military and civil service work force at Worthy Down., Specific tasks the Data Protection Assistant will carry out:
+ Actively promote awareness and training on the importance of Data Protection, individual responsibilities and the activities that should be undertaken
+ Ensure the identification, recording and safeguarding of appropriate Information Assets containing personal data within the Information Assets Register (IAR)
+ Advise and assist asset owners in completing Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) when required to ensure compliance
+ Provide advice in liaison with the Data Protection Officer for data breach investigations and Subject Access Requests in accordance with The Freedom of Information (FOI) policy
+ Lead on initiating training and deliver presentations as necessary to unit personnel
+ Act as Personnel Vetting Records Officer (PVRO) managing and maintaining a vetting register, scrutinising data and liaising with individuals to advise and support service personnel with the process.
The Data Protection Assistant role offers an exciting opportunity to provide administrative support to the Data Protection Officer and initiate any vetting requirements for the military and civil service work force at Worthy Down., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Leadership
+ Developing Self and Others
+ Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
+ Leadership, + 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.
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. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
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., At application you will be asked to provide a CV including your job history and previous skills and experience. You will also be asked to provide a 250-word statement demonstrating experience using Microsoft Applications.
At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours:
+ Leadership
At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours:
+ Developing Self and Others
+ Communicating and Influencing
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.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
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 the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

We are seeking applicants who have initiative, and due to the variety of ranks of Service Personnel and grades of Civil Servants, applicants will need to be effective communicators. Managing priorities will also be key in this ever-changing and fast paced environment. Due to the varying tasks that the job holder will undertake, organisational skills are key and the ability to confidently use Microsoft applications (mostly excel) will be very important.
We can offer the successful applicant a fantastic opportunity to undertake an MOD funded Apprenticeship in Business Administrator Level 3 qualification.
Desirable:
+ A working history of using SharePoint and Teams, although training can be given.

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