Location

Southampton

About the job

Do you have the expertise and experience needed to develop policy and technical standards for maritime communications and navigational equipment?

Can you meet the challenge of representing UK interests internationally and help us to create safer and cleaner seas?

If so, we are seeking a dynamic Senior Policy Lead to join our team at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and we’d love to hear from you. Job description

If so, we are seeking a dynamic Senior Policy Lead to join our team at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and we’d love to hear from you.

We will look to you to lead on the development of technical standards policy for bridge equipment and to represent UK policy in regional and global organisations.

You will act as the technical authority, providing specialist technical and operational advice on maritime communications and navigational equipment. You will work with business leads in both the UK and overseas to develop policy and technical standards.

This is a fantastic profile opportunity to be at the forefront of an important and constantly evolving international policy area. The role is challenging and you will need to keep pace with developments in technology and international regulations as well as build effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include:

• developing policy on navigation and communication equipment, including specific requirements identified from UK stakeholder groups
• developing and overseeing technical research and consultancy projects
• supporting transposition of radio-communications obligations into statutory instruments and regulation
• maintenance of regulations, standards, technical documentation, and unit publications
• technical oversight of conformance and approval of communications and navigation equipment and maintenance of relevant databases
• supporting the implementation of the European Marine Equipment and Radio Equipment Directive
• support risk assessments on applications for radio energy transmissions which may affect maritime safety.
For more information on the role and responsibilities, please see the attached Role Profile.

You’ll be based at MCA HQ in Southampton but some travel both nationally and internationally is required to attend various committees.

About you

Are you a confident communicator? Do you enjoy building business relationships and working collaboratively? It would be great if you have proven experience using navigational and communications equipment and knowledge of regulatory and standards work, however this is not essential.

We would like someone who is comfortable working in an advisory capacity, with previous experience of reviewing proposals, negotiating, and providing expert advice and guidance to leaders throughout a business.

You will also hold a degree in an electronics, radio or radar related discipline or can demonstrate an equivalent combination of experience and qualification.

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.

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’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:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

• Policy Framework: Politics and democracy - Working internationally
• Science and Engineering Framework: Understanding and complying with technical standards
• Policy Framework: Analysis and use of evidence - Knowledge of policy making in your area
• Science and Engineering Framework: Applying scientific and technical knowledge

Benefits 

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension

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, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

The sift is due to take place on 25th October 2019

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held W/C 11th November 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.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment could include:
• an interview
• an interview with one or more exercises
• a full day of activities including interactive, written and timed 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.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-science-and-engineering-skills-framework

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/776403/Policy_Profession_Standards_JAN19.pdf

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

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name :   Steve Austin Email :   [email protected]   Recruitment team : Email :   [email protected] Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/) to visit Civil Service Commission