VALOUR Field Officer - South East (South & East)

Role overview

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs, part of the Ministry of Defence, leads the coordination of the Veterans Strategy. The strategy sets out the government’s updated vision for veterans and aims to encourage wider society to recognise the contribution and potential of those who have served in the Armed Forces.

In May 2025, the government launched VALOUR, the first UK-wide, government-led approach to veteran support. Supported by £50 million in funding, the programme is designed to make it easier for ex-Service personnel to access help in health, housing and employment.

This opportunity sits within a team working on a high-profile initiative that is expected to attract ministerial and media interest. The post is based in Shorncliffe, Kent, and covers Kent, Surrey and Sussex, with substantial travel across the region and occasional travel elsewhere in the UK.

The role is advertised at 37 hours per week.

What you will do

As a VALOUR Field Officer, you will help strengthen partnership working and stakeholder engagement to improve the support available to veterans and their families. You will connect local, regional and national services, using data and insight to shape and improve delivery.

• Build and sustain productive relationships with a broad mix of stakeholders, including local government bodies and the VCSE sector.
• Act as a key Defence contact for your region on veterans’ affairs and provide subject matter knowledge to colleagues across Defence.
• Use data, insight and collaboration to influence policy and delivery at regional and local level.
• Improve coordination between national, devolved and local strategies and support more consistent delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Promote innovation, foster trust and strengthen outcomes for the UK veteran support system.
• Set up and support sub-regional forums and networks that bring relevant local partners together and keep communication channels open.
• Spot strategic priorities, support joint action and help deliver collaborative plans through local government-led partnerships.
• Contribute to system improvement by increasing visibility of the regional and local support landscape and sharing good practice across partnerships.
• Raise awareness of statutory services and initiatives and help shape regional strategies that improve outcomes for the Armed Forces community.
• Take on other duties as needed to support VALOUR, VALOUR HQ and the wider Office for Veterans’ Affairs.

Important working arrangements

The post is expected to change over time as priorities in the Armed Forces support landscape evolve. Flexibility will therefore be important, along with a willingness to travel regularly.

Travel and subsistence costs will be reimbursed for business travel, except when travelling to your base location, in line with departmental policy.

This role may suit a combination of office and home working as part of a non-contractual hybrid arrangement, where business needs allow. Office-based staff are expected to spend at least 60% of their working time in the office, subject to site capacity and workplace adjustments. Other official travel or working from another MOD workplace also counts towards this requirement.

The post does not include relocation expenses.

External recruits who are new to the Civil Service will be required to complete a six-month probation period.

The department is reviewing pay-related allowances, which may affect any allowance attached to the role.

Staff transferring from another employer into MOD will no longer be able to access childcare vouchers, including moves between government departments. Other schemes, such as Tax-Free Childcare, may still be available depending on eligibility.

The Ministry of Defence operates a smoke-free working environment. Smoking and the use of tobacco products are not permitted in Defence workplaces, subject to any local exemptions.

The MOD may contact applicants for a voluntary, anonymous recruitment satisfaction survey to help improve services. Any optional additional information shared for that purpose may involve personal data and will be handled in line with the MOD Privacy Policy Notice and UK GDPR.

Artificial intelligence may be used as a support tool when preparing an application, but all examples and statements must be genuine, accurate and based on the applicant’s own experience. Applications may be withdrawn if plagiarism or misrepresentation is identified, and internal candidates may face disciplinary action.

Selection criteria

The role will be assessed using the following behaviours during recruitment: Communicating and Influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Working Together, and Changing and Improving. The application form will specifically ask for evidence of Communicating and Influencing and Seeing the Big Picture.

Essential experience and knowledge

• Proven strength in building and managing relationships across different sectors and seniority levels.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills, including confidence in public speaking and presentations.
• Experience of stakeholder management, collaborative working and supporting or developing forums, with the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Comfort working remotely, taking initiative and self-managing day to day activity.
• Strong organisational ability with a practical approach to prioritising and planning workload.
• Confidence operating in complex environments, supported by strong problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of the Armed Forces Covenant, the realities of military service and the transition into civilian life.
• Willingness to travel frequently, mainly locally and regionally, and occasionally across the UK.

Desirable experience

• A full UK driving licence.
• Experience working in the Armed Forces community support environment.
• Understanding of local government structures.
• Knowledge of local Armed Forces support services.

Benefits

The role includes learning and development tailored to the post, flexible working options, a culture that supports inclusion and diversity, and a Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

Eligibility and other notes

Applicants should be prepared for significant regional travel across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, with occasional travel elsewhere in the UK. The job is suited to someone who can work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and adapt to evolving priorities in a fast-moving policy and delivery environment.

The Ministry of Defence salary for this role is £37,720, and the department contributes £10,927 toward the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Further information about the VALOUR programme is available through GOV.UK corporate information on VALOUR.