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Dstl Job Profile

Job Title Strategic Analyst

Vacancy Reference 22917
Department Policy & Capabilty Studies
Permanent Location Portsdown West
Salary Circa £26,302
Reporting to Team Leader
Closing date for
20 Feb 2010
receipt of application
Nationality Eligibility Reserved: Open to UK Nationals only (We are sorry that dual
nationals cannot be considered)
This post will require additional Developed Vetting.
All posts require standard Security Clearance (SC), and all applicants
must have resided in the UK for the previous 5 years.
Appointment Type Permanent
Working
Full-time
Arrangement
Working Hours Although most jobs within PCS department can be undertaken within
the parameters of the flexible working scheme, flexibility related to a
specific job must be discussed and agreed with the line manager

Job summary
Primary Role
Dstl’s Strategic Analysis Group exists to help decision makers, principally within the MOD but
also other areas of Government, such as the intelligence community and the Home Office, to
assess, manage and prepare for future strategic defence and security challenges. The Group
achieves this through taking a holistic, structured, rigorous and analytical view, eg appraising
the strategic challenges likely to be faced by the UK and the UK’s Armed Forces over the next
twenty years. In particular, the Group draws the social and cultural dimension into all areas of
work.
In order to fulfil this role, the Group employs analysts from a diverse and wide range of
backgrounds, in order to allow for holistic analysis to be undertaken. These backgrounds
include: psychology, anthropology, operational research, management science, war studies,
international relations / strategic studies, geography, law, political science, intelligence
analysts and social network analysts.
The Group consists of five teams:
o Intelligence & Information Operations Team - Analyses a range of issues that support
operational planning. A key area of work is the use of Social Network Analysis, which involves
some analysts deploying to support operations in this area as well as underpinning work to
improve our use of the method. Counter Terrorism is a growing area of work.
o Resilience & Security Team - Leads on work in the area of resilience and security,
advising on key issues and areas for improvement with a range of socio-technical systems. A
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retain the information on this form in connection with all matters relating to our personnel administration
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growing area of work is in the area of social resilience and support to strategic planning. The
team draws heavily on risk analysis within its work.
o Influence Analysis - Undertakes research into influencing a range of parties. The work
of the team supports customers such as DI Human Factors directly, inputs to concept
development as well as providing key underpinning research for the other teams in the Group.
Social science research is particularly key within this team.
o Strategic Environment Analysis - Focuses at the geo-strategic level and informs key
policy decisions, primarily for MoD on issues of national and trans-national security. The
expertise on Deterrence sits within this team. Scenario writing is a key skill within this team.
o Future Focused Research - Works to identify and undertake research into tomorrow's
problems. In doing so, it supports the other teams in the Group by initiating research into
areas they are likely to be called on to address in time.
Posts are available within each team and applications are sought from the range of
backgrounds listed above.     

Essential Functions
Responsibilities

• Draw on a range of disciplines to help analyse, structure and solve problems in order
to contribute to difficult, wide-ranging and complex areas concerned with complex
strategic defence and security issues.
• Apply, and where necessary develop, multi-disciplinary scientific analysis techniques,
drawing on the Human, Social and Political sciences as well as more conventional
Operational Research techniques (problem structuring methods, computer
models/simulations, gaming and spreadsheets).
• Provide information to higher level decision makers in the form of the output of
analytical studies.
• Work effectively as part of a small team from a range of disciplines including both
civilians and military officers.
• Maintain effective communication when working to tight timescales and under
pressure.
• To gather data and information and populate databases and computer models as
appropriate.
• To convey complex and unusual ideas in a clear and concise way to a range of
interested parties.

Educational & Experience Requirements

Essential:
• An Honours degree in psychology, operational research or management science or
relevant experience working in these areas.
• Proven experience of project delivery, or a PhD, in psychology, operational research
or management sciences or relevant experience working in these areas
Desirable:
• A pan-disciplinary background combined with the ability to integrate thinking and
ideas across diverse areas of knowledge

Data Protection Act. In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, Dstl will collect, use, protect and
retain the information on this form in connection with all matters relating to our personnel administration
and policies.

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Key Skills

Essential:
• The ability to think analytically about complex strategic problems.
• Comfortable working with qualitative and/or quantitative analytical techniques and
methods.
• A track record as a good team player with good communication skills
• The ability to effectively organise/prioritise your workload.
• Some understanding of the three military services.
• Experience of Microsoft Office software, including Word and Excel.
Desirable:
• An all-rounder, able to apply diverse knowledge in unique and often unprecedented
ways.
• Experience of applying analysis within the Human, Social and Political Sciences.

Other Job Components

Scope & impact
Wide scope and potential for significant impact in HMG and beyond
Internal & External Contacts
Internal:      
External:      
Other Links across Dstl, HMG, internationally and with academia and Industry.
Other Requirements
(List any other job requirements, including domestic travel, international travel, driver’s
licence, physical abilities required etc.)
Potential for some domestic and International travel.

Know How and Competencies

Personal Effectiveness
Personal Responsibility(Core Competency)
I take ownership for issues and prioritise effectively to meet commitments and desired outcomes. I
organise myself to deliver effectively, efficiently, safely and securely. I take responsibility for what I say
and do and I am prepared to challenge others who compromise Dstl standards.
Welcome Change. I demonstrate an open mind and see the potential in new ideas and
ways of working. I am flexible and adapt my approach as the needs of the business
change.
Drive to Deliver. I set high personal standards and strive to achieve them. I act decisively
to achieve targets and set new goals consistent with the business needs.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Working Together (Core Competency)
I collaborate effectively with a range of different people, sharing knowledge and building positive,
trusting relationships. I engage with others who may have a useful contribution to make and who may
be interested in the outcome of my work. I influence others appropriately to affect the outcome of
situations.
Managing my impact (Core Competency)
I am aware of the impact I have on others and how they view me. I modify the way I communicate, as
necessary, to ensure that I can relate effectively to and influence individuals inside and outside Dstl.
Data Protection Act. In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, Dstl will collect, use, protect and
retain the information on this form in connection with all matters relating to our personnel administration
and policies.

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Communicate Effectively I communicate in clear, concise and appropriate terms. I am able

to create understanding across a wide range of technical and non-technical audiences both
verbally and in writing. I listen actively in order to build shared understanding.
Integrated Thinking
Customer Appreciation. I actively consider the needs of internal and external customers
and stakeholders. I adopt a customer mindset when addressing issues and presenting
outcomes.
Knowledge Building and Application
Use Information to Make Decisions. I manage existing information effectively and source
appropriate levels of new data, balancing the need for information and the need for action
effectively. I reach well considered and evidence based conclusions and decisions,
supported by thorough analysis where appropriate.
Apply Innovation. I think laterally and creatively in order to introduce new approaches and
solutions. I have a continuous improvement mindset and apply my knowledge to take the
business forwards.

To apply, visit www.dstl.gov.uk/careers and search for reference 22917. Email a

completed application form to dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk quoting the reference
number in the subject line.

Data Protection Act. In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, Dstl will collect, use, protect and
retain the information on this form in connection with all matters relating to our personnel administration
and policies.

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Issue Date 01 Oct 2008

PROTECTIVE MARKING IF REQUIRED