Cost Engineer and Cost Forecasting Candidate Information Leaflet
Recruitment Campaign June 2015
Defence Equipment & Support
Various Locations
40 roles available
Band C2 and C1
Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) is seeking individuals with a broad base of
skills, knowledge and experience to fill a number of posts within Cost Assurance and
Analysis Services (CAAS) to provide cost management services to DE&S, Front Line
Commands and Head Office.
Operating from a headquarters in Bristol and from other locations in the UK and
overseas, DE&S employs approximately 12,300 people to deliver an equipment
programme of approximately £164 Bn over the next ten years. The DE&S was
launched on 1 April 2014 as a Bespoke Trading Entity (BTE), an arm’s length body of
the Ministry of Defence (MOD). DE&S works with the Military Commands (Army,
Navy and Royal Air Force) and MOD Head Office to manage complex programmes
that deliver equipment and support to the UK’s Armed Forces.
CAAS consists of 400-plus cost engineers, forecasters, portfolio analysts and
accountants who provide expert independent costing advice to enable the MOD to
make effective business decisions on equipment acquisition and support. We play an
increasingly important role in understanding and effectively managing the MOD
budget.
CAAS is looking for people with the necessary skill sets, qualifications and
background to perform these roles. Ideally, you will have knowledge and experience
of working in a complex project environment and display evidence of dealing with
customers/clients to resolve complex issues.
CAAS is geographically dispersed around the UK with offices aligned close to or
within sites of key Defence Industrial Suppliers.
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COST ENGINEERING
The main role of Cost Engineering is the delivery of risk based cost and schedule
estimates, providing MOD decision makers with credible, robust and realistic
information. CAAS outputs are used for budget setting, approvals and contract
cost/price constructs. CAAS is engaged on significant national & international
defence acquisition and support programmes, providing technical advice to reduce
cost & schedule risks whilst maximising the delivery of Value for Money to HM
Treasury. The scope and complexity of DE&S projects, supported by CAAS, means
your work will be interesting, challenging and offers the opportunity to work closely
with leading organisations in the UK Defence Industry.
The successful applicants must be willing to continually develop their personal and
professional capability and, at C1 level, similarly support their staffs to enhance their
capability.
Cost Engineering Grade Entry Qualifications
Band C1:
Candidates are required to be fully registered as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or
higher with the Engineering Council. Candidates who show ability to achieve full
registration within 12 months of appointment will be considered.
Band C2:
Candidates are required to be fully registered as an Engineering Technician (Eng
Tech) or higher with the Engineering Council. Candidates show ability to achieve full
registration within 12 months of appointment will be considered.
Locations
Cost Engineering Posts are available in the following locations at the grades
indicated.
Location
Band C1
Band C2
Aldermaston
Barrow-in-Furness
Bristol
London
Manchester
Portsmouth
Plymouth
Rosyth
Yeovil
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Applicants should advise their preference for location. Please be aware that
preferences cannot be guaranteed.
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Salary
Band C1:
£36,562 - £42,991
Band C2:
£30,008 - £35,285
Starting pay may differ from the minimum of the grade and is dependent on
qualifications and experience and specific role requirements. It is not negotiable.
Higher starting pay is not payable to current Civil Service candidates.
Additionally, a Recruitment and Retention Allowance is payable at some locations.
COST FORECASTING
The main role of Cost Forecasters is the delivery of risk based cost and schedule
estimates to support key MOD decision makers. It ensures access to credible,
robust and realistic information on which to make nationally significant project
investment decisions on major military procurement and support programmes while
delivering best Value for Money (VfM) for the UK Tax Payer.
The scope and complexity of DE&S projects supported by CAAS means you can
expect work that is varied, interesting and challenging with the opportunity to work
closely with leading organisations in the UK Defence Industry and our Armed Forces
customers within the MOD.
The successful applicants will be proven analysts and, at C1 level, team leaders who
will be able to identify key forecasting support requirements and build a skilled and
experienced team.
Cost Forecasting Grade Entry Qualifications
Candidates applying for Cost Forecasting roles will be expected to have a
background in an analytical subject e.g. Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths
and Economics, ideally qualified to degree level.
Locations
Cost Forecasting Posts are available in the following locations at the grades
indicated:
Location
Aldermaston
Andover
Barrow-in-Furness
Bristol
Corsham
Portsmouth
Band C1
Band C2
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
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Applicants should advise their preference for location. Please be aware that
preferences cannot be guaranteed.
Salary
Band C1:
£36,562
Band C2:
£30,008
Additionally, a Recruitment and Retention Allowance is payable at some locations.
Cost Engineering and Cost Forecasting Professional Qualifications
CAAS provides excellent training opportunities for continued personal and
professional development and supports professional accreditation and qualifications
for all CAAS Cost Engineers and Forecasters. Successful candidates will be
expected to work towards achieving ACostE or ICEAA accredited member status
where this is not already held.
Security
All successful candidates will be expected to undergo security clearance (SC).
Candidates expressing a preference for Aldermaston will be subject to Developed
Vetting (DV) security clearance.
Relocation Allowances
External candidates may be entitled to up to £8000 First Appointment Expenses
depending on the outcome of an eligibility check by Defence Business Services
(DBS). Internal candidates are not entitled to relocation costs.
Benefits
DE&S provides an open, flexible & supportive work environment - one that gives you
the freedom to acquire multiple skills and the chance to gain experience across a
whole range of activities. In addition to the large variety of cutting edge jobs and an
excellent opportunity to develop skills through training, including working towards
professional qualifications, we also provide first rate benefits for all of our employees.
These include flexible working, excellent annual leave and maternity allowances and
a very competitive pension scheme.
Our headquarters are based in Abbey Wood, Bristol and, like many other sites,
boasts an impressive range of facilities including a fully functioning gym, an on-site
nursery, a range of restaurants and coffee bistros and hairdressers. We understand
the commitments our staff have, both inside and outside of the office. Our aim is to
provide you with a place of work which allows you the flexibility you require to
maintain a great work/life balance.
In addition to convenient access from the M32 and a number of frequent buses to the
site, Abbey Wood is readily accessible by rail. The Filton Abbey Wood railway station
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is located adjacent to the site and offers regional services for commuters travelling in
all directions.
Other regional offices are aligned near or within key supplier sites and provide
opportunities for individuals geographically dispersed around the UK to join our team
Application & Selection Process
For more information and to apply for these positions please follow the link and
submit your current CV:
COST ENGINEER: http://hyphen.avature.net/jobBoard/JobDetail/United-Kingdom-CostEngineer-Cost-Forecaster-MOD-DE-S/2615
COST FORECASTER: http://hyphen.avature.net/jobBoard/JobDetail/United-Kingdom-CostEngineer-Cost-Forecaster-MOD-DE-S/2615
In order to complete your application process, you must provide a CV using the CV
template that will be provided by our recruitment partner Adecco. CV’s that do not
follow the template will not be submitted or considered.
The information in the Competency Frameworks should be used to assist you in the
demonstration of your skills, knowledge and experience, and to highlight your key
achievements.
If you are successful at the sift stage and invited for interview you should be prepared
to provide clear examples of difficulties that you have dealt with and the results you
achieved. Focus specifically on what you, yourself, did and the impact it had.
The six competences that will be tested at interview are detailed below:

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


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Making Effective Decisions
Building Capability for All
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Leading & Communicating
Project Management – PRJMGT06 - Estimating
We advise you to submit your CV to Adecco at the earliest opportunity to allow
sufficient time for it to be processed. Typically, this can take approximately five
working days from receipt. For your application to be considered you must have
undertaken or be booked into the Adecco assessment by the closing date of 28 June
2015.
If the deadline is missed, your application will be rejected.
Interviews
Interviews will be held at the end of July at DE&S, Ministry of Defence, Abbey Wood,
Bristol, BS34 8JH and other locations throughout the UK.
If you are interviewed and considered unsuitable for C1 grade, you may be offered a
position at the C2 grade.
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Candidates applying for a Cost Engineering role who do not meet the grade entry
qualifications may be offered the opportunity to be considered for a Cost Forecasting
position.
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