About the job

Summary

We welcome applications from all communities and we don’t discriminate against any identity. We’re interested to hear from you, regardless of your background.

Are you passionate about maritime safety and seafarer welfare and keen to undertake a role in which you make a real difference?

Would you love to be part of a dynamic team where no two days are the same?

Do you enjoy liaising with a variety of stakeholders in order to ensure successful outcomes?

If so, we'd love to hear from you!

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.
 

Job description

The Directorate of UK Maritime Services (UKMS) inspect and survey ships to ensure that they are meeting both UK and international safety, security and anti-pollution rules. UKMS also provide certification to ships and seafarers, register vessels and respond to pollution from shipping and offshore installations.

Survey Operations is part of the Technical Services Operations section of UKMS. Survey Operations helps to meet the Government's maritime strategy for 'Safer Ships and Cleaner Seas' by ensuring high standards of marine safety and marine environmental protection through the development, implementation and monitoring of a consistent policy for survey operations on United Kingdom flag vessels.

Under the direction of the Head of International Survey Operations, the Survey Operations Policy Lead will assist the Heads of Survey Operations in the development, promotion, implementation and monitoring of a consistent policy of survey operations. The successful candidate will provide operational policy support for Marine Office Surveyors, MAIB and Recognised Organisations and support the UKMS contribution to MCA Business Plan activities and objectives.

This role will be based in Southampton HQ. There will be a business requirement for post holder to be based in the office for a set number of days per week. At present we are operating a hybrid working approach due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation. Details of this arrangement will be discussed further with your line manager.

Work/Travel on official duty within the UK and short term visits overseas or offshore, which may involve overnight stays away from home, will be required. A passport valid for international travel is required as well as a full driving license valid for driving in the UK.
 

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Acting as a point of contact for internal and external stakeholders by giving advice and decisions on survey policy - dealing with various stakeholders such as marine surveyors, industry, public, classification societies and other flag and port state administrations.

• Assisting with the promotion and maintenance of Instructions to Surveyors guidance in connection with Survey and Certification and associated aide memoires.

• Liaising with other Branches within the Directorate of UKMS; attending HSE/MAIB/MCA liaison meetings as required.

• Representing the UK and providing technical support at internal and external meetings associated within areas of responsibility, including drafting and presentation of substantive papers. Arranging and providing briefings as required for both internal and external fora.

For an in-depth insight into the role, please refer to the Role Profile attached to this advert.

About You

You will hold the relevant qualifications, as outlined in the role profile and will have sufficient experience in a managerial role on board ship or in a technical capacity of responsibility within the maritime industry.

You will be an expert in survey policy and able to apply your knowledge as the technical focal point in order to improve and incorporate new ways of working in order to streamline processes and support the drive towards innovative technology and emission reduction.

You are a self-motivated, proactive individual with a positive attitude and approach. You have strong communication skills coupled with exceptional engagement skills which enable you to communicate effectively at all levels.

Flexible in your approach, you are highly organised with the ability to work independently, balancing priorities in order to meet deadlines.

You are looking for a role that will offer you variety, one that will challenge you and encourage self development.

Licences

- Full UK Driving Licence
- Passport valid for international travel

Qualifications

The minimum academic qualification required is one of:

a. Nautical Surveyor: MCA Recognised STCW II/2 Master unlimited Certificate of Competency; or
b. Engineer Surveyor: MCA Recognised STCW III/2 Chief Engineer unlimited Certificate of Competency; or
c. Ship Surveyor: Honours Degree in Naval Architecture, Ship Science, Marine Engineering, Mechanical and Marine Engineering or Marine Technology
d. Applicants without the qualifications stated in a, b or c above, may also be eligible if they are Chartered Engineer (C. Eng) (through Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) or the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)), but in such cases evidence of the equivalent level of learning plus marine industry experience will need to have be demonstrated to the satisfaction of an MCA S&I technical review panel.

A wide variety of relevant degrees are available in UK and overseas. In all of the above cases other qualifications may be accepted, subject to evidence being submitted that demonstrates an acceptable academic content covering a similar level of technical knowledge related to commercial shipping. Such qualifications will be reviewed and assessed by the MCA S&I technical review panel.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Surveyor

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.