Ministry of Defence is cutting its civilian workforce

The Guardian has learned that the Ministry of Defence will have to jettison another 3,000 civilian staff from its workforce, on top of the stringent cuts that have already been required.

It seems that the ministerial department still has an overspend problem that amounts to somewhere between £2 billion – £3 billion and needs to be addressed before it rises any further. Back in September 2010, the strategic defence and security review (SDSR) recommended that the MoD would need to lose 25,000 civilian staff before the end of 2015.

Due to fresh concerns over budget balancing, that figure has been revised upwards to 28,000, giving current minister of defence Philip Hammond another unpalatable announcement to make. As severe as the previous cuts have seemed, there still isn’t enough money set aside by the SDSR to support the current MoD civilian workforce.

Of the thousands of jobs cut already, a significant proportion is made up of specialist positions such as defence analysts, scientists, doctors and various advanced jobs in IT.

Steve Jary, National Secretary of the Prospect union, said: “The truth is that cuts to civilian specialists in the department far outnumber cuts to the armed forces. Over 10,000 civilians left the MoD last year and it plans to cut another 10,000 in 2012. The department is already struggling to cope with its day-to-day business, and come the summer, will face a moment of truth. This is a disaster waiting to happen.”

One serious concern over the increasing shortage of specialist positions in the MoD’s civilian workforce is that the department has been forced to farm out these roles to expensive contractors on a short-term and ultimately inefficient basis. The Guardian’s report determined that almost £600 million had been spent in this way over the course of just two years.

An internal report cited numerous instances of flawed thinking and poor budgetary planning enacted by MoD officials and those in project manager jobs. It warned that financial control of the department’s budget seemed to be “poorly developed or non-existent”.

While the upwards revision of jobs needing to be axed will be embarrassing for the defence minister to swallow, the decision is more politically palatable than the thought of forcing yet more active personnel from the armed forces to be made redundant. The MoD has already been severely criticised this week by defence select committee MPs who rallied against the fact that the armed forces had already suffered cases of compulsory redundancies whereas civil servants had not.

The MoD’s response was to point out that serving military personnel generally received significantly greater compensation for being made redundant than civilians did: “Reductions to the civilian workforce have had to be made to help tackle the financial black hole the government inherited in the MoD. Civilians receive considerably less in compensation than the average soldier; where a sergeant receives an average payoff of around £65,000, a civilian receives around £30,000 on average. The MoD civilian workforce is reducing by around 33% compared to a reduction of 17.5% in military manpower.”

(image: Some rights reserved by pandrcutts)

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Kingsteington Transition Together: facilitator needed for new project

A grant from Awards for All, Big Lottery Fund for a project called Kingsteignton Transition Together, means that there’s a facilitor role going for someone to manage the project.

Check out the roles and requirements, and forward to anyone you think would be suitable.

The team is looking for someone to start as soon as possilble, and applications need to be in by midnight, November 6. To apply supply your name, address and contact details, along with your CV and what you could bring as Facilitator for this project.

(image: This image was taken from the Geograph project collection. See this photograph’s page on the Geograph website for the photographer’s contact details. The copyright on this image is owned by Derek Harper and is licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.)

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Exeter Phoenix: the South West cultural hub has a press and marketing job going

There’s a marketing and press manager job on offer at one of the most successful and vibrant cultural hubs in the region – that’s the Exeter Phoenix, of course.

The rewarded for filling in the behemoth of an application form is £20k – £22k (depending on experience), which is nothing to sniff at.

And it’s for a six-month fixed term contract (with a possible extension)

The closing date to get your application in by is Monday, July 25 at 10am, with interviews on Wednesday, July 27.

Luckily, you can still get your summer holidays in – you’d be expected to start on Monday, September 5.

To download the gubbins, pop along to the Exeter Phoenix’s job application page.

(Image: Exeter Phoenix Some rights reserved by reidrac)

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Love Local Food: the social enterprise in Exeter has some vacancies

Exeter’s Love Local Food people have got a couple of jobs going, so if you fancy doing something community-based and are passionate about local food then check them out and forward them to any other interested parties – it could be just the thing you’re looking for!

Love Local Food is a social enterprise running a mobile local food shop in Exeter with many educational activities; courses and visits.

They have received a Big Lottery Local Food Grant and are now looking for staff to join their team.

Vacancies are for: Project Manager; Education Officer; Administrator; Local Food Cook and Driver/Sales Person.

For job descriptions, applications and other details, pop along to the Love Local Food site

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Fancy bringing fresh, creative leadership to Plymouth Arts Centre?

Plymouth Arts Centre is looking to become a fantastic centre for food, arts, entertainment and creative engagement (notwithstanding its role as a contemporary arts and cinema venue).

Former director Ian Hutchinson joined Plymouth Arts Centre in 2000, and provided stability at a time when the organisation was at risk. During his tenure he went on to significantly increase the charity’s turnover and visitor numbers, and grew the centre into one that now enjoys a national and international reputation for contemporary visual arts.

As the centre progresses to a new stage in its development he has decided to seek new opportunities as a freelancer, and the Plymouth Arts Centre trustees are looking to recruit a new high-profile chief executive who has a commanding track record and a driving ambition to develop the centre into a vibrant cultural centre for the city and the region.

If you’re interested, contact Kate Sparshatt in the first instance for a bit of a ‘conversation’ kate@plymouthartscentre.org

(Image: Plymouth Arts Centre © Copyright Mick Lobb and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.)

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If your dream is to be a public arts officer at Plymouth City Council’s Art Unit, then you’re in luck – there’s a job going!

Plymouth City Centre Company and Plymouth City Council’s Arts Unit is looking for a motivated individual who can assist in the development and support of the growing creative economy in Plymouth. The downside is that the job is temporary for 18 months (subject to funding)
 37 hours per week, and what officialdom calls 
Grade E (which sits comfortably between £20,858 to £22,958)

The role will oversee the development and strategic overview of public art across Plymouth, working in particular with the City Centre Company, Arts Development, Planning, Leisure and Highways and externally with a range of private sector partners. The post holder also is responsible for progressing and implementing the public art programme in the West End, in conjunction with the Arts Unit.

The successful candidate will be able to work independently and within a team, should be able to understand the wide ranging aspects of Plymouth’s cultural offer. Also the candidate should have good communication skills, commitment and enthusiasm for arts in the city.

This position is a temporary 18 month post that may extend subject to additional external funding.

For more information or an informal discussion contact the Principal Arts Officer on 01752 307315.

Closing date is Monday, July 5, and the anticipated interview date is the week commencing July 19. 
For an application form and further details contact 01752 668000, email Jobs@plymouth.gov.uk or apply online at the Plymouth Council Jobs page.

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Want to get into the exciting world of press and marketing? There’s a job going at the Spacex gallery, Exeter for a press and marketing officer for a not-to-be-sniffed at £24,000 (pro rata, four days a week, but still…)

As with most of these arty-types they drop the definite article, although we don’t know if that’s a requirement of the role. Nevertheless, the ‘Spacex is a leading contemporary art space in Exeter that produces and presents a challenging programme of exhibitions, off-site projects and educational activities.

‘This is an important role responsible for managing press campaigns and all aspects of marketing locally, nationally and internationally, maintaining and building upon Spacex’s reputation.

‘The post holder is also responsible for designing and distributing Spacex’s publicity and marketing materials, including preparation of copy and artwork using Adobe Indesign.’

The closing date is Monday, June 7 at 5pm, with interviews on Monday, June 21.

But this isn’t just a CV and covering letter job, application packs must be used and can be acquired from the Spacex site, by emailing the Spacex director Nicola Hood at i...@spacex.org.uk

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There are a couple of environmental jobs on offer from the TUC’s Green Workplaces Project, we’ve got the blurb, the job spec and the pay for the positions that are going.

The Green Workplaces Project helps unions to change the way we work, it seeks to reduce environmental damage in the South West, cut carbon use, promote renewable energies, recycling, green transport plans and promotes other positive practices in response to climate change. The small team aims to inspire and activate workplace change, supporting union reps, promoting training and signposting them on to specialist advice when necessary.

The project, in its final year, is looking for additional help, part-time or full time, including the possibility of secondment from union officers, reps, environmentalists and such like.

Green Workplaces Project Worker, Job Ref: OSD.20.10
Grade 6 Salary £28,538 (pro rata) per annum. Office base and remote working to be discussed to mainly cover the South West Region. Fixed term contract to March 31 2011. Full time or part-time with hours and work pattern to be agreed with line manager

The post holder will work to develop the trade union contribution to reducing the environmental impact of workplaces across the South West and deliver the project’s objectives. In addition to possessing sound project management skills, the successful candidate will also need to demonstrate:

• A broad understanding of the climate change debate and energy issues
• Events organisation and delivery
• Ability to network effectively with unions and a range of partners
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good ICT skills

Green Workplaces Project Assistant, Job Ref: OSD.21.10
Grade 5 Salary £24,817 (pro rata) per annum, Based at South West TUC, Bristol BS34 7BD, Fixed term contract to 31 March 2011. 17.5 hours per week, work pattern to be agreed with line manager.

The post holder will contribute towards the project’s success by providing administrative, financial and general assistance. In addition to possessing excellent interpersonal and communication skills, the successful candidate will also need to demonstrate:

• a wide range of ICT skills
• ability to work under pressure and meet fixed deadlines
• ability to work with project budget, financial and statistical data
• ability to take responsibility and initiative in specific work areas

To request an application pack, you can either write to TUC Personnel and Training, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS, e-mail: jobs@tuc.org.uk, or voicemail 020 7467 1340.

Please quote reference UL.18.10 when requesting an application pack.

For further information about us, visit the pages on the TUC website.

The closing date for completed application forms is noon on Thursday, June 3 with interviews to be held in Bristol on Monday, June 21.

If you want to know more, discuss the options or obtain an application form, contact Nigel Costley, South West TUC Regional Secretary on 0117 947 0521 nco...@tuc.org.uk

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Do you have what it takes to work in the hub of digital media in the South West? Phoenix Digital, or is that Digital Phoenix, the digital media centre at the Exeter Phoenix, is after an administrator – a digital media administrator at that.

The successful candidate would work closely with the media manager and digital media co-ordinator.

With responsibilities for areas such as maintaining Exeter Phoenix Digital administration systems; scheduling and evaluating courses and workshops; assisting in maintenance and upkeep of equipment and studios; assisting in
updating the Exeter Phoenix Digital website and e-bulletins; assisting in event organisation, including Two Short Nights film festival.

For all that you’d be rewarded with £13,500 PA pro-rata, for 7.5 hours per week (1 day, flexible hours)

Deadline for applications (application form only, no CVs): Monday, April 19.

Download the application pack at the Phoenix Media site

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The environmental publisher Green Books is looking for a marketing and publicity manager

The Totnes publisher Green Books has a staff of seven people to market and publicise its books, and its is looking for a marketing and publicity manger who has a good understanding of the UK book trade and web marketing, including social networking; be efficient and productive, and have an interest in green issues.

The job is full time or four days per week by arrangement and is based in Totnes, Devon.

The closing date is Thursday, March 25 and to find out more check out the Green Books job page.

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The Exeter Phoenix arts centre is after a part time marketing assistant.

The lucky candidate, who’ll pick up between £12,500 – £13,500 pa pro rata, based on experience, for 22.5 hours a week, will work with the marketing and development manager and the marketing officer to develop and implement the Exeter Phoenix’s marketing and audience development plan. So if you’re still getting people through the doors, you could say you’re doing ok.

The job involves responsibilities for design, distribution and marketing administration, and the role would be suitable for a recent graduate or a candidate wishing to develop a career in arts marketing.

Knowledge of Photoshop/Indesign/Fireworks/Illustrator is desirable. Creativity and flair is a must! Training and support will be offered.

For an application pack (they won’t accept a CV) visit the Exeter Phoenix website or email mark...@exeterphoenix.org.uk

Closing date for applications is Tuesday, February 16. Interviews will take place on Monday, March 1.

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The exciting world of being a museum assistant at Royal Albert Memorial Museum means you’ll have to undertake out of hours call-out duties on a rota basis and can attend any of the museum’s sites within 20 minutes of notification – sounds very Indiana Jones! And that’s just one of the roles in this super new job.

Ok, so the pay’s not super-dooper at £14,733 – £15,444 for a 37 hour week, but it’s good enough for most of the people in the PRSD office to consider applying – but then we are a dusty lot.

“You will work mainly with the exhibitions team building mounts for objects to be displayed in the new museum along with other general duties as necessary,” says the job description.

”We need someone with a flexible approach to work, willingness to learn, excellent inter-personal skills and smart appearance.”

Hmm, practical and interpersonal skills plus a smart appearance – that’s us out.

But if you’re still in the running, pop over the the Exeter City Council jobs page and find out more.

(image: Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum)

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