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Ports and VTS Policy Manager - Flexible Working Available

Employer
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Location
Southampton, Hampshire
Salary
£47,584
Closing date
19 Apr 2020

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Job Details

Location

Southampton; Remote working or Home working may be available for the right candidate provided that, office space in an MCA facility (Marine Office etc.) can be found within practical commutable distance of the candidate. Candidates requesting this option will be required to attend MCA HQ for an initial induction period lasting 3 weeks.

About the job 

Are you a Maritime Professional with a background in ports, looking for a role where you can influence Ports and Vessel Safety both in the UK and on an international platform?

Do you have exceptional communication skills and want to provide an excellent service to a wide spectrum of the UK’s maritime stakeholders?

Do you want to work within a successful and inclusive, multi-disciplinary team as the subject matter expert, shaping decisions which will contribute directly to the safety of UK waters for maritime traffic?

Does your job matter? What we do matters

Job description

As the Ports and VTS Policy Manager, you will be a key member of the ‘Navigation Safety Branch’ (NSB) team. The successful candidate will have ownership over the UK’s VTS and Ports policy and will work with DfT to enact their port health check program. This is a vacancy in which the holder will have a real time impact on the safety of mariners and port users and will have a hand in shaping international regulations for VTS at both IMO and IALA.
 

Responsibilities

The right candidate will be able to evidence a good working knowledge of the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) and a basic understanding of the principles of VTS. Further training and exposure to VTS can be given in the form of V103 course, VTS acquaint trips, VTS audit training etc. The role requires excellent written and verbal skills and the ability to influence outcomes via negotiation and communication. The holder will be the MCA’s ambassador to our valued ports and VTS stakeholders and as such must be able to win their confidence and trust.

The role also requires travel to ports, VTS Centers and VTS Training Centers within the UK and periodic international travel to IALA events. Yearly attendance at IMO is also a feature of the role. This activity will be undertaken in conjunction with the VTS/Ports advisor, who will be the post holders single direct report.

Remote working or Home working may be available for the right candidate provided that, office space in an MCA facility (Marine Office etc.) can be found within practical commutable distance of the candidate. Candidates requesting this option will be required to attend MCA HQ for an initial induction period lasting 3 weeks.

Why choose Navigation Safety Branch?

We aim to attract talented marine professionals and retain them by providing a flexible working environment and effective management, which recognizes the need for a proper work life balance and professional growth.

This is achieved by making use of the following:

1. Flexible working hours
2. Potential for days worked from home (regular and ad-hoc)
3. Excellent training and development opportunities
4. Recruitment and retention bonus for this role
5. Exposure to Hydrography, Maritime Surveillance and Radio Spectrum and Technical Standards departments.
6. Civil Service Benefits Package

Pension

A key benefit of employment within the Civil Service is the competitive pension scheme provided to Civil Servants. In a time of low annuity rates, the Civil Service Alpha Scheme provides a generous, protected route to financial stability in retirement; full detail on how benefits are calculated can be found here:
https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/members/alpha-scheme-guide/

Role example:

The Ports and VTS policy manager, Grade 7 Civil servant, joining on the minimum of the pay scale, could after 20 years continuous service, accrue an approximate yearly pension of £22,078 (excluding annual pay and inflation increases) upon retirement. This figure compares favorably to current annuity rates (based upon current trends, a similar sized pension fund would yield an annuity of circa £4,000). This information is provided for illustrative purposes and must in no way be considered financial advice.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a team who pride themselves on their ability to make a difference, a department that matters and people that save lives.
If this sounds like a role where you feel you can add value we would love to hear from you.

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.

Licences

Driving licence valid for driving in the UK is required.

Qualifications

The successful candidate should hold one qualification from the following list of acceptable minimum qualifications acceptable for this role or be able to demonstrate significant professional experience in the ports industry (see point 5):

1. UKHMA Harbour Master Certificate or,
2. STCW II/2 Masters (Unlimited) Certificate of Competency or,
3. Higher degree in a relevant maritime discipline, combined with experience of VTS (Management Level), Pilotage or other Port Operations or,
4. V103 Qualification with management level VTS and Ports experience.
5. Candidates who do not hold one of the above qualifications will be considered if they are able to demonstrate significant experience within the port industry in a role related to the application of the PMSC and provide evidence of qualifications to enable completion of V103 course

Behaviours

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

  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Changing and Improving
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Leadership

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 meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check.

Selection process details

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

The sift is due to take place on 20th April 2020

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held weeks commencing:

4th May 2020 and 11th May 2020

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.

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.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

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 equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name :   Richard Bell 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

Company

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is an executive agency of the United Kingdom working to prevent the loss of lives at sea and is responsible for implementing British and international maritime law and safety policy. It is also responsible for land based search and rescue helicopter operations from 2015.

Its responsibilities include coordinating search and rescue (SAR) on the coastline and at sea through His Majesty's Coastguard (HMCG), ensuring that ships meet international and UK safety standards, monitoring and preventing coastal water pollution and testing and issuing Merchant Navy Certificates of Competency (licences) for ships' officers and crew to STCW requirements The organisation is led by Virginia McVea, its Chief Executive, who took up post in February 2023.The MCA are chiefly responsible for the syllabus and national training standards issued by the Merchant Navy Training Board (based at the UK Chamber of Shipping).

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