Are you an aspiring Estimator seeking an exciting opportunity in Defence? Do you want a role working on complex, cutting-edge projects with excellent career progression? If so, this role could be perfect for you!

The Project Delivery profession within DE&S (Defence Equipment and Support) is seeking enthusiastic and driven individuals to start or advance their careers as Estimators. You will contribute to some of the most complex and exciting projects in UK defence, from the newest armoured vehicles to ground-breaking future aviation technologies, while benefiting from robust support to shape and grow your career in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Estimating is a vital part of what we do, ensuring the delivery of significant projects to our customers, on budget and on time. Your role will involve the collection and analysis of data including risks and schedules, the development of cost estimates, the use of complex analytical tools, quality assuring of estimates created by others, and communicating your outputs in detailed reports.

You will be provided with opportunities that support a varied and diverse career including proactive involvement in multiple projects and continued professional development. This could be the ideal career for you, providing a unique opportunity to develop your skills and experience of leadership and delivering successful outcomes in a varied environment working on one-of-a-kind projects critical to UK Defence.

We champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be approximately 60% of your working week) however this can depend on the demands of the role and could vary. This is to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance and business need. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

What you’ll be doing

• Preparing estimates for agreed packages of work, including instances where a potential change is being considered.
• Analyse data from sources across DE&S, international partners and its defence suppliers, and conduct sensitivity and cost driver analysis.
• Lead the scoping, design and creation of simple models, and assist senior professionals in building and maintaining more complex models.
• Provide verification/validation of deliverables by using estimating techniques/methodologies.
• Develop cost estimating output reports via utilising the appropriate generic model.
• To communicate key estimate and risk modelling data to key members of the project, programme and DE&S leadership in a way that is easy to interpret and understand.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Working knowledge of business-critical modelling standards and requirements (MacPherson or equivalent)
• Knowledge in the use of analytical tools and techniques, such as Excel.
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills gained through education or experience.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Core Behaviour 1: Working Together
• Core Behaviour 2: Making Effective Decisions
• Technical Competence 1: Controlling a Project (Supervised Practitioner)
• Technical Competence 2: Estimating (Supervised Practitioner)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,000, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,429 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So, whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles – Civil Service Commission   
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack   
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions    
• Civil Service Code: The Code – Civil Service Commission 

 Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Disability Confident

Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.’

Conflicts of Interest

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.

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the ranking of the assessed behaviours and competencies below:

• 1st: Core Behaviour 1
• 2nd: Core Behaviour 2
• 3rd: Technical Competencies
• 4th: CV Review

In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise the Lead criterion, and/or and additional assessment.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
3. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk 

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints – Civil Service Commission 

Ready to join us as an Junior Cost Estimator? Apply now!