Roster Management Cell (MDP)

Role overview

The Ministry of Defence Police is a civilian policing organisation responsible for safeguarding the UK’s defence community, capabilities, and assets. Its teams include armed officers, specialist police staff, and civilian professionals who work closely with the Ministry of Defence, US Visiting Forces, and other security partners. With coverage across the UK, the organisation supports locations such as nuclear sites, military establishments, and government buildings, with a strong focus on protecting critical infrastructure linked to national security.

This vacancy is based at MDP Headquarters, RAF Wyton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

The role is scheduled for 37 hours per week. Part-time and job-share options may be considered if full-time cover can still be maintained or business requirements are met.

What the role involves

• Keeping sickness records accurate and up to date in line with instructions from the station.
• Maintaining officers’ contractual hours, including changes for overtime and time off in lieu, while directing queries about excessive hours or incorrect rostering back to the local station.
• Making sure overtime reasons are completed correctly.
• Tracking courses and training alongside Chronicle, while also factoring in staffing shortfalls and minimum cover requirements.
• Preparing shortfall logs or spreadsheets and sharing them with stations, tailored to each location’s needs.
• Recording and managing annual leave.
• Offering direct help and guidance to stations using GRS.
• Loading and maintaining complete roster periods within GRS, checking that they align with Policy, Rules and Guidance and reflect accurate contractual hours while meeting operational needs.
• Updating rosters at short notice to cover sickness, leave, and detached duties, while considering qualifications, ability to perform duties, work-life balance, policy, rules, guidance, and Working Time Regulations.
• Applying knowledge of Policy, Rules and Guidance and Working Time Regulations in day-to-day rostering work.
• Delivering roster system training to stations, either in person or through other communication methods.
• Changing permissions and access rights according to role requirements and level of training.
• Acting as a main contact point and building effective working relationships with station personnel, including officers at different ranks, through regular communication.
• Making use of 5 protected learning days for personal development.

Candidate profile

The ideal person will be confident and bring strong leadership qualities, with the ability to review and manage large volumes of data carefully and accurately. You should be creative and open to new ideas, willing to learn, decisive in daily work, and disciplined in how tasks are handled. Strong emotional intelligence, sound interpersonal skills, and the ability to build professional relationships easily are important, as is the ability to juggle multiple tasks. A focused, self-motivated approach and good experience using Microsoft packages are also expected.

Behaviours assessed

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture

Salary and benefits

The salary is £27,866. The Ministry of Defence also contributes £8,072 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme, and the employer pension contribution rate is 28.97%.

• Role-specific learning and development support
• Flexible working options where business needs allow
• An inclusive culture that supports diversity
• Civil Service pension with a 28.97% employer contribution

Working arrangements and conditions

Some positions may support a blend of office-based and home working under a non-contractual hybrid arrangement, where business needs permit. Office-based staff are expected to be in the office for at least 60% of their working time, subject to site capacity and any workplace adjustments that may be required. Time spent attending other locations for official duties, or working at another MOD workplace, will count towards this office attendance requirement. Further details on flexible working can be requested from the vacancy holder.

This role does not include relocation expenses. Travel costs for interviews will not be refunded.

External recruits joining the MOD from outside the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

The department is reviewing all pay-related allowances, which may affect allowances attached to this post.

Anyone moving to the MOD from another employer will lose access to childcare vouchers, including those moving between government departments. Other government childcare schemes may still be available, including Tax-Free Childcare.

The MOD applies a smoke-free working environment policy across the Defence workplace. Smoking and all tobacco products, including combustible and chewing tobacco, are not permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment, subject to any local exemptions.

The MOD may contact applicants for a voluntary and anonymous recruitment satisfaction survey. If additional information is provided, it may include personal data handled under the UK GDPR and the MOD Privacy Policy Notice.

Artificial intelligence tools may be used to support applications, but every example and statement must be truthful, factually accurate, and based directly on the applicant’s own experience. Applications may be withdrawn, and internal candidates may face disciplinary action, if plagiarism or misrepresentation is identified.

Selection process

This recruitment uses Success Profiles and will assess behaviours and experience. Applicants must submit CV details covering work history, qualification details, and previous skills and experience, along with a 500-word Statement of Suitability.

At sift stage, assessment will focus on the CV and statement of suitability against Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, and Seeing the Big Picture. If application volumes are high, shortlisting may be based on the CV and personal statement only.

At interview, candidates will be assessed against Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, and Delivering at Pace.

The Civil Service offers a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria. In some recruitment situations, not every eligible candidate may be interviewed.

The MOD will only sponsor a Skilled Worker visa where a role has been identified as business critical. This post is not eligible for sponsorship, so applicants who need sponsorship under the points-based system cannot apply. If sponsorship is required, the application will be rejected and any provisional offer withdrawn.

Successful candidates must declare any outside interests after interview and before an offer is made, so potential conflicts of interest can be reviewed and managed if necessary.

The MOD operates a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. Candidates dismissed within the last five years for such behaviour are not eligible for this role, and the same applies where resignation or departure would otherwise have resulted in dismissal for gross misconduct. Pre-employment checks will be completed.

Feedback will only be given to candidates who attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must pass a criminal record check and meet the required security standards before appointment. The security level for this post is Security Check. Candidates should also refer to the vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standards.

Additional information

This vacancy is based in Houghton, England, United Kingdom, at MDP Headquarters, RAF Wyton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

The post may be considered for part-time or job-share arrangements if business coverage can be maintained.

5 protected learning days are included for personal development.