Army - Deployable Operational Analyst

The Ministry of Defence, Civil Service workforce is diverse, with many different functions and professions ranging from cyber and digital transformation, police officers, security guards, trainers, human resources, teachers, psychologists, storekeepers, and policy secretariat staff to support the British Army.

The Army Operational Research Branch (ORB), which is part of the British Army’s Land Forces Command, uses analytical techniques to support better decision making. We manage and deliver research, studies, wargames, experiments and deployed scientific support. The ORBs Operational Analysis team supports the Field Army on exercises and operations. It deploys in support of British Army and NATO formations, operating at the most suitable location, whether that be in the UK or overseas. The team employs mathematical and analytical approaches to aid in military planning, problem solving and decision making. It makes full use of the analytical options presented in the Live, Virtual and Constructive environments to support senior officers in decision making. The role has a pivotal input into formation readiness and assisting the Army in planning and deploying on operations.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

As a Deployable Operational Analyst, you will be a member of the ORBs Operational Analysis Team. This is an exciting role which provides unique opportunities for you to work embedded within British Army formation Headquarters. You will deploy on exercises/operations to lead the provision of operational analysis to support planning and decision-making with formations such as 1st (UK) Division, 3rd (UK) Division and HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. Your time will be split between desk based (approximately 60% of the time) and deployed on exercise/operations with the Army (approximately 40% of the time).

You will be required to meet and maintain pre-deployment training standards, which includes a requirement to pass a CODA medical once in post and maintain a basic level of fitness. You will need to have or attain Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. There will be a regular requirement to travel, including overseas, to attend training exercises and courses, therefore there is an expectation that you will be able to facilitate this.

We will need you to:

• Deploy on exercises and operations (including planning events), for short periods, to provide OA (Operational Analysis) advice and support to Army decision making. This is likely to necessitate working in shift work for extended working days, operating in field conditions and working collaboratively with other analysts from both industry and across government
• Work as part of a team in support of a lead analyst. You will be able to use the full range of Land deployable OA tools and methods
• Be able to capture requirements for analytical support and provide timely responses using tools and other bespoke analytical methods. Be able to present back results in a concise, understandable way to a military stakeholder in both written and verbal briefs
• Establish and maintain suitable pre-deployment qualifications, to be ready to deploy on operations
• Represent Land Force Command when liaising with the Army and working in support of OA tasks, delivered by external suppliers. This may include sharing Land OA knowledge or supervising outputs
• Be able to operate common analytical methods, to cover areas such as statistical modelling, data mining, analytics, and visualisation

Open to UK nationals only.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

At application stage you will be assessed against the following:

• Personal Statement- of no more than 500 words detailing how you meet the essential skills criteria you experience in Military Operational Research or STEM qualifications.
• Behaviour - Making Effective Decisions
• Operational Analysis Functional Competences – Knowledge and application of OR statement (250 words) - Level 2 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/678ac1aed0561c11b91d05ea/GORS_Technical_Framework_2025.pdf

Where a large number of applications are received, an initial sift will be conducted based on the evidence you provide in support of Making Effective Decisions. Your Personal Statement, Operational Analysis Functional Competence will only be reviewed if you are successful at this initial sift.

At interview stage you will be assessed against the following:

• Behaviour - Delivering at Pace
• Behaviour - Making Effective Decisions
• Behaviour - Working Together
• Operational Analysis Functional Competencies – Achieving impact with analysis - level 2 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/678ac1aed0561c11b91d05ea/GORS_Technical_Framework_2025.pdf

Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed and will be held in person. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.

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.

There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.

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. 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.

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.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

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