Job description

Are you a marine surveyor or experienced port official looking for your next challenge? 

Can you provide operational expertise and guidance on port related issues and champion a culture of safety and best practice? 

We are looking for a dedicated Ports Liaison Policy Lead to join us at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), and we'd love to hear from you. 

We will look to you to ensure UK ports align with the UK Port Marine Safety Code and associated Guide to Good Practice. You will also maintain oversight of policy relating to port marine safety and act as the national authority for port safety in relation to Offshore Renewable Energy Installations. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a leading role in promoting the safety of UK ports and to build relationships in the UK ports community. Keep reading for more information about this exciting post and how you can help us make a difference. 

Role responsibilities 

Your duties will include: 
 

• Develop and maintain UK policies and strategies on port safety issues


• Assist the Department for Transport in the maintenance and updating of the Port Marine Code and associated Guide to Good Practice



 
•  
• Arrange Port Marine Safety Code Health Checks and Verification visits with our port surveyors



 
•  
• Maintaining UK training standards for port personnel, particularly with respect to harbour masters and pilots



 
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• Represent the MCA and provide support to national and international port working groups as appropriate



 
•  
• Ensure that UK legislation, MCA requirements and related guidance reflects the relevant agreed International Standards

About you 

The successful candidate will be a maritime professional, capable of using their experience and leadership skills to influence port stakeholders in the pursuit of port safety outcomes. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal are a must to achieve this aim. This position would be ideally suited for those with experience of port operations, gained by serving in a variety of port roles such as, Harbour Master, Pilot, VTS operator or other associated port roles. 


The successful candidate must hold one qualification from the following list of acceptable minimum qualifications acceptable for this role: 

1. UKHMA Harbour Master Certificate or, 
2. STCW II/2 Chief Mates (Unlimited) Certificate of Competency or, 
3. STCW III/2 Second Engineer (Unlimited) Certificate of Competency or, 
4.Chartered Engineer (C. Eng) [through Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) or the Institute of Marine Engineers (IMarEST)] or, 
5. Higher degree in a relevant maritime discipline combined with experience of vessel traffic services, pilotage and/or port services. 

You will already hold or be willing to undergo a Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC). Gaining CTC Clearance will normally require you to have been a resident in the UK for a minimum of 3 years. You will only be considered for this role if you meet these requirements. 

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.

Qualifications

The minimum academic qualification required is: 

1. UKHMA Harbour Master Certificate or, 
2. STCW II/2 Chief Mates (Unlimited) Certificate of Competency or, 
3. STCW III/2 Second Engineer (Unlimited) Certificate of Competency or, 
4.Chartered Engineer (C. Eng) [through Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) or the Institute of Marine Engineers (IMarEST)] or, 
5. Higher degree in a relevant maritime discipline combined with experience of vessel traffic services, pilotage and/or port services. 

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

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.

Allowances

£3,500 allowances for the initial training period (additional allowances are obtainable and will be dependent on certain individual qualifying criteria).

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.

Nationality statement

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules.

If you're applying for a role requiring security clearance please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK.

Selection process details

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

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

When considering how your experience relates to the role, please tailor your CV and Personal Statement to reflect the role and its essential minimum requirements. 

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. 

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

For further details please contact [email protected]

Sift/interview dates and location

The sift is due to take place 06/06/2019 

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held 17/06/2019 

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. 

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a security check may be carried out.

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. 

Please see attached candidate notes for further information about our recruitment process. 

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 

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. 

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 to visit Civil Service Commission. 

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