Clerk of Works - South East

Do you want to work on one or the most exciting transformation projects in the public sector? 

The Defence Housing Service (DHS) is being created through the Armed Forces Bill to deliver a step-change in housing for the UKs Armed Forces and their families following the publication of the Defence Housing Strategy on 3 November 2025, which marked the most significant change to Armed Forces housing in over 50 years. DHS will bring a dedicated focus to improving the homes, communities and lived experience of Service personnel, placing families firmly at the heart of everything it does.

This is one of the most ambitious housing transformation programmes in the UK today. Backed by a 9.2 billion investment, DHS will modernise tens of thousands of homes, introduce a more proactive and customer-focused approach to maintenance, and unlock new opportunities to develop housing on Defence land. DHS will have the focus and agility to deliver change at pace, combining public service values with greater flexibility to build the skills, systems and partnerships needed for the future.

This is a rare opportunity to be part of shaping its culture, influencing how it works, and helping deliver lasting improvements for Service families across the UK.

The Defence Housing team is currently part of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), who respond to the evolving needs of our military personnel, and the ways in which they live, work, train and deploy. We are proud to be the expert partner Defence needs for all their infrastructure requirements. From large scale infrastructure projects such as runways for the F35 fighter jets to net carbon-zero accommodation for our Service families, our activities focus relentlessly on our customers, and our outputs are unique in the UK and across the globe!

DIO , What we deliver every day.

The future delivery model for this team is currently under review and may change as part of potential organisational developments. This could include the team or function transferring to a different employer or organisational structure in the future. Should activities transfer out of the Ministry of Defence existing employees transferring with those activities will maintain the same, or substantially the same, terms and conditions of employment.

Do you have a keen eye for quality and a passion for ensuring high standards are delivered?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic organisation that responds to the evolving needs of military personnel, the way in which they live, work and train. We care about the Defence estate, and we are looking for a Clerks of Works to join our team. In this rewarding role, you will provide on-site quality assurance across construction, refurbishment and maintenance projects, ensuring work is delivered to the required contractual, technical and safety standards. Using your technical expertise and attention to detail, you will inspect works, identify potential issues, recommend practical solutions, and support the successful delivery of safe, compliant and high-quality outcomes across the MOD estate.

You will also provide independent assurance on project delivery, identifying and reporting fraud, errors and non-compliance while contributing to the effective management and oversight of projects and programmes. Working closely with regional delivery teams, industry partners and other stakeholders, you will produce accurate reports, build strong working relationships and help drive continuous improvement, ensuring public funds are used effectively and value for money is achieved.

Whilst this role is advertised as a full-time position of 37 hours per week, we recognise the benefits of flexible working and are open to discussing part-time hours, job share arrangements, or other flexible working patterns with suitable candidates. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be approximately 60% of your working week) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance and business need.

A Full UK driving licence is essential, as the role requires regular travel to project sites across the Defence estate, many of which are remote and not easily accessible via public transport.

Person specification

• Conduct regular site inspections to ensure work meets contractual, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Verify that materials and workmanship comply with specifications, identifying defects, poor workmanship, and deviations from approved plans, reporting them immediately.
• Assess and report compliance with the approved site safety plan, keeping a log of observations from site inspections with additional reporting on health and safety as required.
• Monitor construction works including demolition, foundational, building envelope construction, service installation, internal fit-out completion, above and below ground infrastructure works, and landscaping.
• Work with the Regional Delivery team and industry partners to assess and address the technical issues that arise, and co-ordinate and manage these appropriately in line with appropriate policy.
• Manage quality assurance processes and identification with the Regional team, assessing and managing risks and issues at a national and regional level.
• Maintain a register of issues and risks and lessons learned, developing a lesson learnt database accessible to regional delivery staff where improvements are identified, and successful methods that have improved quality are shared.
• Establish and develop effective relationships to progress, achieve the best outcomes and build the MODs reputation including relationships with the delivery teams, industry partners, and all other key stakeholders; and where necessary ensure any conflict between parties is resolved, with a strong focus on contractual responsibilities and formal accountability and governance relationships.
• Promote the MODs infrastructure, new homes, and Service Family Accommodation (SFA) works programme, where appropriate, internally, and externally to the MOD.
• Ensure the ongoing provision of clear and concise communications and responsiveness to all key stakeholders, providing consistent and accurate reporting.
• Raise and manage any issues arising within the respective region and Clerk of Works Lead effectively, so that further escalation is minimised, and a no surprises culture is promoted.
• Identify common defects, delays, and risks to enhance initiative-taking risk management.

Membership of the Institute of Clerk of Works and Construction Inspectorate (ICWCI) or Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) would be advantageous. However, if you don't already hold professional membership, we'll provide support and development opportunities to help you achieve this.

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Technical understanding of the UK development and building industry, design and building processes including knowledge of the: Building Act and building regulations, Health and Safety at Work Act, Codes of Practice and supplier specifications, and AWAABS law.
• Experience in quality control, snagging and ensuring work meets specification.
• Demonstrable experience in construction, site inspection or building control.
• A HNC or HND in Construction Management, Building surveying or Civil Engineering, OR equivalent qualification alongside relevant industry experience in construction works and construction management.