The Integrated Review recognised that the distinction between economic and national security is increasingly redundant. Systemic competition will further test the line between peace and war, as malign actors use a wider range of tools - such as economic statecraft, cyber-attacks, disinformation, and proxies - to achieve their objectives without open confrontation or conflict. More states will adopt economic statecraft as a lever in systemic competition.

The recently created Directorate of Economic and Investment Security (DEIS)’s role is to identify and respond to economic security threats from hostile states that have implications for UK Defence. These can include market distorting behaviours that affect the industrial base; attempts to acquire sensitive technology and capability through hostile foreign investment or participation in collaborative research, joint ventures or entering technical support contracts. These threats can challenge the integrity of our defence programmes; undermine the effectiveness of our capabilities; offer an insight in our operations or tactics; provide capability uplift to our competitors; and weaken the defence and civil industrial and technology base that supports our activities.

The Defence Investment Security Team (DIST) is part of DEIS in MOD Head Office’s Security Policy and Operations area. The team was originally created in 2017 to identify Defence-related security risks that could flow from foreign investment in UK companies, especially where this involves a change of control, and to advise Ministers on how such risks should be mitigated. The purview of the team has recently broadened to include wider economic-based threats to our national security, such as academic collaboration and the compromise of our critical supply chains.

The team grew significantly in late 2021 prior to the implementation of the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act in early 2022, and is now part of a cross-Whitehall endeavour led by the Investment Security Unit (ISU) within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). DIST has been involved in several high-profile cases including the acquisition of Connect Topco Limited by Viasat, Inc. The team works closely with stakeholders across Defence, Whitehall, and the Intelligence Agencies. In addition to UK stakeholders, DIST collaborates with several International Partners on a bilateral and multilateral basis, including through the 4-EYES (Australia, Canada, UK, USA) National Technology and Industrial Base (NTIB) forum. DIST is a friendly and collaborative team whose work attracts significant Ministerial, No10, Parliamentary and international attention.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The successful candidate will play an important role in delivering a critical tasking for Defence and be at the heart of one of the most high-profile and topical policy areas in government today. Together with the head of the recently established DIST International Engagement Team, you will develop strong, extensive, and new relationships with our International Partners and build our networks across Defence and Whitehall.

The post-holder will be proactive in building and further developing relationships as part of a varied and demanding role, working at the centre of the Department. The post-holder should be a team player, able to work effectively within an integrated policy and intelligence environment.

Primary Responsibilities include:

• 
  Establishing working relationships and deepen collaboration with overseas partners. This will include supporting DIST’s contributions to existing NTIB and NATO workstreams focused on foreign investment, and to developing new bilateral relationships with other important partners. The post-holder will play an important role in arranging and supporting incoming visits from overseas counterparts to DIST, as well as outgoing visits overseas.
• Support Defence’s contribution to cross-government international engagement. This will involve close work with the ISU and BEIS.

• Assist in preparation for, and occasionally represent the department at, senior cross government and international meetings.
• Support the DIST secretariat leading on Parliamentary questions, Ministerial Correspondence, FOIs, etc.
• Assist on any future Select Committee hearings by preparing and briefing Ministers and senior officials and drafting the Government responses to any inquiries where necessary (the most recent HCDC interest in this work led to a report on Foreign Involvement in the Defence Supply Chain which was published in February 2021).
• Support the Assistant Head International Engagement on developing DIST’s International Engagement function.
• Become an active member of the wider DIST team and help it develop as it grows in response to the requirements of the National Security and Investment Act.

• Undertake investment security casework as required.
• Undertake any additional tasks identified by the Line Management chain.

Essential Experience

The post-holder will have considerable experience of working within a national security department.

Desirable Experience

Post holders will ideally have some experience of economic security issues and of collaboration with international allies and partners. Previous work with industry on commercial or national security issues would be advantageous.

Knowledge of Defence capabilities and their underpinning technologies would be helpful.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership

• 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%
• On-Site Gym

The post does not offer relocation expenses. The post does not offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer)

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/.”

“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 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 by 31st December 2022. 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.

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

Job contact :

Name :
Joseph Keefe
Email :
joseph.keefe100@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email :
dbscivpers-resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk