Location

Dover, CT15 5NA

About the job

Do you love to build great working relationships? 

Have you got exceptional communication skills? 

Are you highly organised with the ability to prioritise varying workloads? 

If so, then this role is for you!

Job description

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are looking for a highly diligent Business Support Officer to aid the Marine Office (MO) Business Support Manager. You will ensure that the MO Business Support is aligned with Survey and Inspection priorities and a consistent approach is taken to Business Support within the MO. 

This is a diverse and rewarding role which will allow you to contribute to the maritime strategy for “Safer Ships and Cleaner Seas” whilst giving you an exciting opportunity to develop your career and build strong working relationships. You’ll be a highly adaptable person as no day is the same which will give you variety to your working day.
 

Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of this role are: 

• Provide support to the MO Technical Manager (TM) and Surveyors, including those Surveyors operating remotely 

• Under the direction of the Business Support Manager (BSM), assist with the day to day bookings of survey applications taking account of Surveyor eligibility requirements and availability for job allocation. Assist with the booking of UK and Overseas travel arrangements for Surveyors 

• Under the direction of the BSM, assist with exam bookings 

• Support the work of the Divisional Business Unit on a daily basis from the Marine Office with work undertaken on the Shipping Accounts process including job closures, inputting survey and non-survey monies into the Agresso platform 

• Assist the BSM in preparing monthly reporting process paperwork for consideration by the MO Business Manager (BM), to include National/Local Activity monitoring and other statistics (including service standards). Report to the BM as soon as immediately practicable, any identified risks that occur within the Marine Office 

• Assist the BSM, BM and MO Technical Manager (TM) with internal and external Audit preparation 

• Provide general advice to industry and public in accordance with MCA policies, including MO public counter service 

• As and when requested by BM/BSM, provide business support assistance to the Secretary of State's Representative (SOSREP) and/or MCA Counter Pollution Unit, following a major maritime incident within the UK area covered by the Marine Office 

• As and when requested by BM/BSM, provide business support assistance to the Enforcement Unit, in dealing with any complex investigations and offences committed, leading to court proceedings and prosecution within the UK area covered by the Marine Office 

• Provide Administrative Business Support (including telephone answering, filing and post duties) and Secretariat duties to the Marine Office for internal/external meetings 

For further information please see the attached role profile. Please note that the following points will not be tested at application or interview as these will be learnt whilst in the role: 

• Financial framework 
• An understanding of Survey and Inspection activities undertaken by Marine Office Surveyors 
• An understanding of how government operates 

About you 

We would love to attract someone who has exceptional verbal and written communication skills. You will be able to tailor these to suit your audience and can do so clearly and confidently to ensure understanding. 

We are looking for someone who is confident in building and maintaining strong working relationships across the business and wider industry. You will be able to build rapport quickly with internal and external stakeholders, working collaboratively and sharing best practice. 

Excellent organisational skills are required and you will be able to manage and filter workflow as well as organise and prioritise your work to maximise productivity. You will be highly adaptable and flexible, adjusting to the requirements of the role. 

You will have proven IT skills especially with Microsoft Office software, including Word and Excel. 

There will be an expectation for the successful candidate to complete their initial training at the Southampton Headquarters. 

About us 

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) implements the government's maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea. 

Safer lives, Safer ships, Cleaner seas. 

Our vision is to be the best maritime safety organisation in the world. 

Find out what it's like to work at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency 

We are part of the Department for Transport (DfT). DfT is a great place to work, and our ‘one team’ approach really makes a difference. We value our staff and that’s why we’re committed to nurturing an inclusive environment across the Department. 

You’ll be part of an innovative organisation that invests in all our people, ensuring we have the diverse skills to deliver transport that moves Britain ahead now and into the future. 

DfT has been recognised for its leadership on workplace gender equality by being included in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2017. 

DfT’s inclusion is recognition of our commitment to make the Department a great place to work through our culture of equality and inclusivity and the great strides we’ve made to raise the number of women in senior positions.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Working Together

Benefits Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance. Things you need to know Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Strengths.

The sift is due to take place w/c 09/09/2019. 

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held w/c 30/09/2019. 

Interview location to be confirmed. 

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using a lead behaviour. This will be the behaviour which is listed first in the job advert. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements within the application behaviour responses. 

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment could include: 

• an interview with one or more exercises 

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. For further information on Success Profiles please click here 

Your interview may consist of a range of question types. These may include questions about: 

• what energises and motivates you 
• how you would manage situations relevant to the role 
• your previous experience 
• your professional skills and knowledge 

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within. 

Further Information 

We have adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel. 

We may hold a merit list for up to twelve months. During this time, if a similar role is identified and you have been placed on the merit list you may be considered for the post. Within the merit list period, your application form and selection information may be shared across the department and its agencies. 

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out. 

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. 

Reasonable adjustment 
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

- Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs 
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

Any move to the Department for Transport will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name :   Sam Osmond Email :   [email protected]   Recruitment team : Email :   [email protected]