Defence College of Air and Space Operations - Psychologist

The Defence College of Air and Space Operations (DCASO) has adopted a significant cultural change in educational methods and delivery of training. The College requires the professional support of a full time Psychologist to enable individual potential to be recognised and improve course pass rates to grow a stronger Air Operations Profession of the future at all ranks.
You will support the delivery of psychological support and structured coaching and mentoring opportunities for both trainees and trainers of the DCASO to maximise the development of both.
You will provide advice to the DCASO regarding Continuous Improvement in educational methods and the delivery of training.
You will research, develop and deliver targeted Human Performance training.
You will maintain a close liaison with the Defence Science and Technical Laboratories Project Teams recommending research questions and providing advice and support to research topics as required.
If you believe that people are at the heart of any successful team and have a fervent interest in enabling others to achieve their potential, join us!
Please note that this role is predominantly site-based as regular in-person attendance is required to deliver the primary task and to realise the benefits of face-to-face collaboration. The DCASO does however, embrace flexible ways of working as the role permits to support work-life balance.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week., As the post holder, you will be responsible to the Commandant DCASO, through Officer Commanding DCASO, for supporting Air Operations training through researching, developing and delivering advances to education and supporting individual learning. Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
+ Leading the research and development in pedagogical strategies, development of effective learning environments and trainee/trainer engagement in Air Operations training.
+ Leading the research and development to enhance Human Performance training for Air Operations personnel, maintaining an up to date knowledge of relevant research and acting as an intelligent customer.
+ Remaining up to date with military, civilian and academic developments in education and training and their potential application to Air Operations.
+ Delivering lessons to the Air Operations trainers with reference to the psychological aspects of the training environment and factors affecting performance, such as learning strategies and techniques, managing workload, stress, modes of delivery and individual differences.
+ Providing specialist educational advice along with performance and developmental coaching to support individual learning, enhance trainee and trainer performance and reduce training wastage at the DCASO.
+ Representing the DCASO at relevant Working Group meetings and committees.
+ Maintaining a close liaison with other organisations, both civil and military involved in Human Performance research and trg and providing specialist knowledge and support if/when appropriate. Delivering presentations at military and civilian academic conferences as required.
+ Maintaining a close liaison with MOD psychologists and Defence Science and Technical Laboratories and Project Teams providing advice and support when required., + Key Achievements.
+ Relevant Experience.
+ Applied Knowledge and Skills., Please advise when submitting your CV if you wish to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme.
Next Steps: We’ll review your CV to see if your skills and experience are a good match and, if successful, we’ll invite you for an interview. If you are invited to an interview, please note that the following will be assessed:
Technical Competence
Applicants should have a British Psychological Society (BPS) approved honours degree in psychology and hold a BPS accredited MSc in a relevant psychological subject with a minimum of four years post MSc experience.
Be registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and be a Graduate or Chartered member of the British Psychological Society.
When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.
At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours:
+ Leadership
+ Changing and Improving
+ Developing Self and Others
At interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours:
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Working Together
+ Making Effective Decisions
Further Information
Individuals will be assessed to hold standard level disclosure check
Internal Promotions Campaign Manager, would welcome the opportunity to discuss this opportunity with you at any point throughout the application process.
Wing Commander Elizabeth Jones, would be glad to answer any role specific questions or to arrange for potential applicants to visit RAF Shawbury to gain a better understanding of the working environment and output of the Defence College of Air and Space Operations.
Please email for further information: elizabeth.jones236@mod.gov.uk
Campaign Dates
The closing date for submitting applications is 14th October 2024, any applications made after this date will not be considered. The sift will take place shortly afterwards. Sift scores will be provided if you are unsuccessful following the CV sift stage. Otherwise, feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Interviews will take place at RAF Shawbury and will commence on approximately week commencing 21st October 2024 (please note this may be subject to change).
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.
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 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.

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.

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).

+ Experience in the Research and Development of Human Performance.
+ Experience conducting rigorous assessments and studies into training quality and methodologies.
+ Experience delivering psychological support and coaching.
+ Excellent report writing and presentational skills.
+ Proven IT skills including: Excel, Word and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.
+ Post holder will be expected to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Working Together
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Leadership
+ Changing and Improving
+ Developing Self and Others
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
+ Leadership
+ Changing and Improving
+ Developing Self and Others, Alongside your salary of £43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,480 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 average employer contribution of 27%.
+ Number of leave days!!!!
+ RAF Shawbury has a superb on-site gymnasium and creche facilities. Excellent staff dining facilities are also available on the Station.
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.