Job description for Postal Operations Clerk

Join the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) as a Naval Postal Operations clerk and take the first step toward a fulfilling and meaningful career. BFPO is a trusted provider of postal and courier services to the UK Armed Forces and is a respected name across Defence, known for its commitment to excellence and service.

You’ll operate in a customer-focused environment where your drive, organisation, and people skills will be key to delivering a safe, secure, and efficient mail operation. Your efforts will directly support the needs of both the organisation and its valued customers, playing a vital role in maintaining communication across maritime operations, ensuring mail is delivered promptly and reliably to its intended destinations.

Reporting to the Head of Mail and working closely with a small, dedicated team, you’ll receive comprehensive training to ensure you’re fully equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.

This is a site-based position located at our purpose-built headquarters at RAF Northolt, with working hours typically from 07:00 to 15:00 or 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday. The location is easily accessible via the M40 and A40, with strong public transport links including nearby London Underground stations. Due to the location, the role attracts a London Allowance of £3,300.

What you’ll be doing

• Accurate handling, processing, and dispatch of Naval Mail for all Royal Navy ships, Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels, and Royal Marine Units, whether they are deployed globally or domestically
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships, implementing robust tracking, and scheduling procedures to ensure that the delivery of Naval Mail consistently meets both operational demands and customer expectations
• Coordinating the global distribution of mail to all naval vessels, leveraging both Military and Civil Air transport solutions
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records, particularly in relation to Mail Diversion Signals, including detailed diary entries and the regular updating of specialist IT systems and Microsoft applications to ensure all information is meticulously documented and readily accessible
• Flexibility in approach to work, with a willingness to undertake additional Postal Clerk duties as operational needs dictate
• Using manual handling equipment, with the ability to lift mail items up to 11kg unaided, 30kg assisted, and working collaboratively with others to move heavier items
• Always adhering to all BFPO and Civil Aviation Authority Security requirements and maintain the security of BFPO mail. You will be required to adhere to personal security arrangements, complete annual security training and will be required to carry appropriate issued ID whilst at work

Person specification

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

• Proven experience of working in a customer focused/facing role
• Evidence of a working knowledge of Information Technology systems and Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel
• Effective Communication skills both verbal and written
• Experience of stakeholder management, internal and external, at all levels

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

• Core Behaviour 1: Managing a quality service CSBC2
• Core Behaviour 2: Delivering at pace CSBC2
• Technical Competence 1: Customer Service – Awareness
• Technical Competence 2: Making evidence-based decisions – Awareness

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £25,400, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,358 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
• 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.

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 (CV Review) listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. 

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the relative importance of the assessed competencies as per the hierarchy 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 an additional assessment.

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

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