Health, Safety & Environment Lead – Ministry of Defence
Health, Safety & Environment Lead – UK Civil Service Job
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is recruiting a Health, Safety & Environment Lead within the National Armaments Directorate (NAD) Group.
This is a senior opportunity for an experienced Health and Safety professional to provide strategic leadership across health, safety and environmental protection activities within Defence.
The role offers a salary of £59,200 per year, plus a generous Civil Service pension contribution and a range of employee benefits.
Job Details
- Job Title: Health, Safety & Environment Lead
- Employer: Ministry of Defence
- Department: National Armaments Directorate – Corporate Services Group
- Reference: 475675
- Salary: £59,200 per annum, pro rata
- Contract: Permanent
- Working Pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working and job share
- Location: National – UK sites
- Job Area: Health & Safety / Environment & Sustainability
- Number of Positions: 1
- Application Deadline: Monday, 31 August 2026 at 11:55 pm
About the Role
The successful candidate will help shape how Health, Safety & Environmental Protection (HS&EP) is delivered across multiple areas of Defence.
You will contribute to the development of policy, professional standards and assurance activities designed to protect employees and others affected by Defence activities while ensuring operations remain environmentally responsible.
The role involves working with senior leaders, specialist practitioners and key stakeholders to improve organisational resilience, strengthen governance and promote a positive health, safety and environmental culture.
You will also provide professional oversight to specialist advisers and subject matter experts while supporting continuous improvement across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Provide tactical health and safety advice on complex and contentious issues.
- Develop health and safety policies, procedures, guidance and rules for Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S).
- Manage functional assurance activities to ensure appropriate due diligence.
- Conduct health and safety trend analysis.
- Provide professional advice to relevant stakeholders.
- Analyse status and risk reports against KPIs and BPIs.
- Communicate key performance and risk information to stakeholders.
- Assist with analysing occupational health, safety and environmental skill requirements.
- Support appropriate training and professional development.
- Develop and author HS&EP policies and standards.
- Support the implementation of a unified Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS).
- Work with senior leaders on complex health, safety and environmental challenges.
Essential Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Experience working in a Health and Safety leadership role.
- A NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent Level 5/6 qualification.
Technical Competencies
Candidates will be assessed against the following technical competencies:
- Fundamentals (OHSEP) – Expert
- Conducting Risk Assessments (OHSEP) – Practitioner/Expert
Core Behaviours
The interview will assess:
- Leadership – CSBC 4
- Changing and Improving – CSBC 4
Important UK Residency and Security Requirement
This role has a significant security requirement.
Applicants must have lived in the UK for the last five years and be able to obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance.
Security clearance must be obtained without any restrictions or caveats that would prevent the successful candidate from performing the role.
The MOD notes that the security-clearance process can be lengthy and reserves the right to withdraw a conditional offer if the required clearance is not obtained within 12 months.
This requirement means the vacancy is not suitable for applicants who have not lived in the UK for the required five-year period.
Working Arrangements
The position can be carried out at any of the organisation’s sites across the UK, with some travel to other sites and locations required.
Travel expenses to and from other sites, apart from the designated permanent duty station, will be covered.
The organisation supports flexible and hybrid working, with regular in-person attendance expected at UK sites. Employees are generally expected to attend at least one day per week, although initial attendance may be more frequent while becoming familiar with the role, site and stakeholders.
Salary and Benefits
The role offers a salary of £59,200 per year, together with a comprehensive Civil Service benefits package.
Benefits include:
- 25 days’ annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to 30 days.
- 8 bank holidays.
- An additional day off for the King’s birthday.
- Flexible and hybrid working.
- Average employer pension contribution of 28.97%.
- Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
- Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards.
- Specialist training and funded qualifications.
- Career progression opportunities.
- Employee shopping and other discounts.
- Volunteering days.
- Enhanced parental leave schemes.
Application and Selection Process
The recruitment process includes several stages.
1. Pre-sift
Applications will initially be checked against the essential and eligibility criteria.
Applicants should clearly demonstrate on their CV how they meet the essential requirements.
2. Sift
CVs will be assessed using the following categories:
- Key Achievements
- Relevant Experience
- Applied Knowledge and Skills
3. Interview
Candidates invited to interview will be assessed against:
- CV Review
- Leadership
- Changing and Improving
- Technical Competencies
The lead criterion for this vacancy is:
Demonstration of working in a Health and Safety leadership role.
Nationality Requirements
The vacancy is broadly open to eligible:
- UK nationals.
- Republic of Ireland nationals.
- Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK.
- Eligible EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals and qualifying family members with the appropriate EUSS status.
- Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain.
- Turkish nationals and certain qualifying family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.
Applicants should check the official nationality requirements before applying.
Important Application Information
The MOD states that artificial intelligence tools may be used to support an application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate and based on the applicant’s own experience.
Applications may be withdrawn where plagiarism or inappropriate use of AI is identified.
Successful candidates must also satisfy the required security checks before appointment.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official Ministry of Defence recruitment portal.
Application deadline: 31 August 2026 at 11:55 pm
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Health, Safety & Environment Lead role?
The salary is £59,200 per year, pro rata, plus Civil Service benefits and an average employer pension contribution of 28.97%.
Who is recruiting for this position?
The vacancy is being advertised by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) within the National Armaments Directorate – Corporate Services Group.
Is the position permanent?
Yes. The role is offered on a permanent contract.
Can I apply from outside the UK?
Applicants should note that this position requires candidates to have lived in the UK for the last five years and obtain SC security clearance. Therefore, applicants who do not meet the UK residency requirement are unlikely to be eligible.
What qualification is required?
Applicants need a NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent Level 5/6 qualification, together with evidence of working in a Health and Safety leadership role.
When is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by 11:55 pm on Monday, 31 August 2026.
Is hybrid working available?
Yes. The organisation offers flexible and hybrid working, with regular in-person attendance at UK sites.
Does the role require security clearance?
Yes. Successful applicants must obtain Security Check (SC) clearance and meet the associated UK residency requirement.