Job description for Defence Courier

Are you seeking a challenging and rewarding opportunity? The British Forces Post Office (BFPO) has exciting positions for Defence Couriers (DCs) to join our highly motivated team of DCs and Courier Escort Drivers, based at the Head Quarters in Northolt.

For centuries, our Armed Forces have managed an in-house postal service, delivering mail throughout our military history, including both World Wars. The BFPO provides postal and courier services to the UK Armed Forces and is a renowned brand across Defence. Our dedicated civilian and military staff work collaboratively to deliver both personal and official mail to over 650 locations worldwide, keeping our Armed Forces connected through letter and parcel services that are vital to sustaining morale.

We are looking for dynamic, self-motivated, hard-working, and organised individuals for this varied role. The position requires considerable UK and overseas travel, escorting Protectively Marked Material (PMM). On a practical day-to-day basis, a DC may travel within the UK or overseas, daily, or weekly, to escort or carry PMM items to recipients in various locations.

You will be an excellent communicator with strong leadership skills. As you perform your duties, you will have opportunities to identify and secure improvements to BFPO operations, contributing to a cost-effective and value-for-money service that supports the broader UK Defence establishment. A proactive, solution-oriented approach and a robust, conscientious attitude towards completing tasks will be key to your success.

You will routinely drive a large van as part of a two-person team, supporting another Courier, spending approximately 50% of your time in the driving role. You will be required to drive more frequently during the initial months of training and the six-month probation period.

In addition to the salary, this position offers a London Allowance of £3,300 and the appointment also currently attracts a 12.5% Regular Shift Allowance.

Due to security requirements, these posts are reserved for UK Nationals only and will require in-depth security checks (Developed Vetting).

You will be required to pass a bespoke but basic Defence Courier medical before starting the appointment.

What you’ll be doing

• Ensuring the secure escort of PMM in the UK and worldwide, and all items in your care are moved as required under the correct diplomatic process which is covered by the Vienna Convention
• Ensuring the PMM carried is not tampered with or scanned at customs and is received safely, securely and without interception at its destination
• Operating and maintaining technical ability to operate secure and specialist equipment essential to the smooth and efficient delivery of Material and completion of your duties
• Maintaining a good knowledge of relevant MoD policies and customs and laws of countries visiting, ensuring compliance with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office policy to ensure there are no barriers to the delivery of Material
• Completing the advanced safety and security awareness training (including one-day pre-deployment training package to be completed within the 6-month probation period) to comply with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office standards and policies

Person specification

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

• Holder of a full UK manual driving licence with cat C1, and a maximum of 6 penalty points
• Effective communication skills with the ability to engage with stakeholders, internal and external, at all levels
• A basic knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite
• Confirmation that you are capable of extensive travel at short notice, often independently, both within the UK and internationally, to various routine and ad-hoc locations

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

• Customer Service – Supervised Practitioner level
• Managing support, supplier, and customer networks – Supervised Practitioner level
• Making effective decisions – CSBC3
• Communicating and Influencing – CSBC3

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,900, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,662 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

• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-SDA-Terms-and-Conditions

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.

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.

1. 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.
   Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.