The public sector client is looking to recruit a Technical Lead, to assist with the (Force Structure Cost Model) for a temporary assignment of 120 days. Due the nature of the assignment – the successful candidate will have a valid SC Clearance and be a British National.

About the client: On behalf of MOD, Dstl maintains a business-critical model called the Force Structure Cost Model (FSCM). The FSCM is a high-level, pan-Defence model that primarily exists to determine the costs of force elements. Information from the FSCM is used to support a range of activities across MOD, including high-profile MOD decisions. The FSCM Technical Lead is Dstl’s expert user of the model. They will lead on updating it over time with new data, using it to generate bespoke outputs and identifying (and, where appropriate, implementing) improvements. This will allow the model to continue to support MOD decision-making.

Skills and Experience Required:
Essential:
Strong knowledge of SQL2016 databases (including writing bespoke queries).
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel 2010.
The ability to work with large and complex data sets, including data processing (e.g. changing data in one format into data in another format) and data cleansing / tidying.
A high degree of self-motivation and trouble-shooting ability. Depending on the arrival date, the degree of in-briefing available may be quite limited. If so, the contractor would need the drive and persistence to primarily gain familiarity with the model via their own efforts.
Important:
Previous experience of using Microsoft Excel to conduct analysis and produce bespoke outputs.
Desirable:
A basic understanding of Defence would be helpful, as the data within the FSCM covers military equipment, infrastructure and personnel.
A working knowledge of R. Much of the current data manipulation is conducted via Excel and whilst in principle this could continue, moving at least some of the manipulation into R would help other team members gain familiarity with the processes used.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:
1: Gain familiarity with the FSCM – its inputs, its structure, how to use it and what outputs it produces. Model documentation is available and (depending on the arrival date) some in-briefing from the current technical lead may also be available.
2: Liaise with various areas of MOD to obtain updated data sets. Process these into a suitable format and then incorporate the new data into the model.
3: Work with Dstl’s internal strategic costs cell to update the mapping of cost lines to entities within the model.
4: Use the FSCM to produce bespoke outputs for use by others in Dstl and in the wider MOD. These outputs could be cost-based, or could draw on other data within the model (e.g. equipment types and numbers).
5: Identify potential improvements to the overall input / use / output process. Discuss these with the strategic cost cell and, where agreed, implement the improvement.
6: Support Dstl’s internal strategic costs cell in conducting specific investigations, such as whether to represents crews separately from platforms.

About the Rates of Pay: The higher pay rate advertised in our job advert/s will always be the highest Ltd or Umbrella Company pay rate that the client is willing to pay up to and the lower pay rate advertised in our job advert/s will always be the highest PAYE pay rate, that the client is willing to pay up to, unless otherwise specified. If the PAYE rate is not indicated in the job advert then please contact us for confirmation of the PAYE daily pay rate.