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SalaryJob description for Junior Cost Estimator
Are you looking to kick start your career as a Cost Estimator? Do you want to develop your knowledge whilst learning on the job? Then we may have the perfect opportunity for you. The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is looking for a Junior Cost Estimator to join our team in the Cost Management Group (CMG).
What is Cost Estimating? It is a vital part of what we do, ensuring the delivery of significant projects to our customers, on budget and on time. You will be involved in supporting the delivery of various Submarine projects, ranging from estimating the next generation to the disposal of older submarines and everything in between.
You will have the opportunity to join our Estimating Capability Development Scheme (ECDS), an innovative 2-year development scheme, providing you with the skills and knowledge required to become a Cost Estimator. The ECDS involves developing broad Estimating skills over several months, this will involve undertaking study through classroom sessions, tuition and independent study and will be assessed during the scheme. This will be blended with placements to advance your capability, completing a variety of tasks to develop your skills which will enable you to undertake projects independently.
Want to hear what someone currently in the scheme thinks of this opportunity?
“I joined the CMG in March 23 and was made welcome straight away, it’s very much a family feel, with a supportive network of colleagues and a positive, upbeat attitude. We work well together. I’ve worked on key Submarine programmes, managed stakeholders, presented to senior colleagues and provided feedback to help drive positive changes. I’m given a lot of latitude with how I approach tasks, support with my dyslexia and have taken part in lots of amazing training.”
If you are successful, you will be required to pass Knowledge Based Assessments during the scheme. At the end of the scheme, you will be invited to interview to demonstrate your competence at the next level and if found successful, you will regrade to the next level.
It is expected that you will work full time hours for part of this scheme when you will be expected to attend classroom-based training over 12-16 weeks at a training venue based in Bristol.
Growing your career as part of the SDA, we will provide you with the diverse opportunities at the forefront of ensuring the delivery of crucial and significant projects. You will be supported by your manager and wider team to achieve your career goals and aspirations with mentoring available to fulfil your potential. Willingness to undergo further training is preferred such as APM and ACostE, these types of training are funded by the SDA, and you will be provided the support and guidance needed to help you achieve this.
At the SDA, we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be a minimum of 40%) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.
Please note if applying for Barrow-in-Furness: External and internal candidates may be entitled to relocation expenses for this position. This will depend on the outcome of an eligibility check by Defence Business Services (DBS).
What you’ll be doing
- Assist in the creation of robust Basis of Estimate.
- Identify and manipulate data using a range of sources, normalisation requirements and techniques.
- Support the generation of confidence level outputs using Monte Carlo techniques.
- Assist in the creation, maintenance and operation of cost models and support the generation of cost estimating outputs.
- Monitor key stakeholder outputs to ensure that estimates are provided to the required standard and completed prior to submission timelines.
- Communicate key estimate information and uncertainties to members of the project and programme.
Person specification
To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:
- Knowledge in the use of analytical tools and techniques, such as Excel.
- Strong literacy and numeracy skills gained through education or experience.
It will also benefit your application if you are able to demonstrate the following desirable criteria:
- Evidence of experience of working in a Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) area.
In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:
- Setting the Project/programme context Awareness
- Controlling a project Awareness
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £27,800, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,506 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
- Flexible and hybrid working options
- Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 27%
- Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
- Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
- Support for progression
- Huge range of discounts
- Volunteering days
- Enhanced parental leave schemes
Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.
Selection process details
Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:
- Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
- Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills
Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
- Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. When two (or more) candidates are on equal interview scores, positions will be offered based on the scores assessed at interview, in this order – 1st) Technical competence, 2nd) CV Review, 3rd) Behaviour one, 4th) Behaviour two.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Ready to join us as a Junior Cost Estimator? Apply today.
