About the job

Job summary

Do you have the ability to apply scientific and technical knowledge?

Are you interested and keen to contribute to the climate change debate, to effect real world change to help shipping meet its greenhouse gas and carbon reduction commitments?

Would you love to represent the MCA at various internal, external and international meetings and working groups in order to provide input to and drive change within the shipping industry?

Can you confidently engage with stakeholders and build positive professional relationships?

If so, we are looking for a Future Propulsion and Fuel Safety Policy Lead to join us at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and 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 a world-leading organisation, accelerating the transition to sustainable shipping with non-negotiable safety standards. We put our people, our customers and our planet at the heart of everything we do.  

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.   

Job description

Our Future Propulsion and Fuel Safety Team Policy Lead role in Ship Standards sits within our UK Technical Maritime Services Directorate. We have a responsibility for developing, negotiating and maintaining UK policies and regulations for the maritime industry.

The Future Propulsion and Fuel Safety Team develop the policies and guidance needed to support the use of new and innovative fuels and propulsion systems within the maritime industry to address the challenges of Greenhouse Gas reduction within the sector.

You will take a proactive lead in managing and developing UK policy regulations and guidance for the specific policy area as directed by your Line Manager, in support of UK government objectives for a safe and commercially successful UK fleet supported by your own technical knowledge and the expertise of colleagues.

Please note, we welcome applications from individuals seeking a part time role. However due to business requirements, the successful candidate should be able to work a minimum of 35 hours per week. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to influence and take a leading role in this area of industry, drive forward change and be at the forefront of the UK’s policy and regulation in relation to greenhouse gas and emissions reduction. This is a rewarding role with involvement on national and international stages, representing the UK in key discussions with the aim of creating positive environmental outcomes which support the continued growth of alternative fuels and novel technologies.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Contributing to, and where appropriate leading, the negotiation, development, implementation and management of policy and regulation in order to maintain and further develop a safety-focused, consistent and proportionate regulatory framework for merchant ships in the UK, in particular where this relates to policies concerning Future Propulsion & Fuel Safety Team with a focus on emission reductions and air quality, including a range of topics which could include, Sulphur reduction, biofuels, ammonia, hydrogen and the greenhouse gas caron reduction initiatives being developed at the IMO.
• Represent the MCA, and/or the UK, at internal, external and international meetings and working groups (e.g. International Maritime Organization (IMO), Department for Transport (DfT) etc.) associated with their areas of responsibility, including the drafting and presentation of substantive papers where necessary.
• Providing a focal point role for industry and colleagues on matters regarding UK policies covered by the ship safety team and maintain a positive and proactive role in liaison with MCA consultant surveyors, relevant Directorates and Branches within the MCA, DfT, and external stakeholders.
• Developing and maintaining an awareness of the national and international political and policy context of the subject area through discussion and liaison with key stakeholders.

For further information about the role and responsibilities, please see the attached role profile.  

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has the ability to apply scientific and technical knowledge.

You will have experience of working within a relevant sector, which may include:

• policy
• regulatory
• maritime
• environment
• climate change
• marine technology
• green technology
• engineering
• scientific research or regulatory.

Your strength may be in one of the above, but we would like you to be able to analyse and assess new information to build a knowledge base systematically and quickly in a new role/policy area, allowing you to adapt to your working environment.

• Supporting this, you will need experience of locating, understand and using data, evidence, and advice from analytical, scientific, and technical sources.
• You will have excellent written and oral communication skills and proven ability to research and draft high quality documents, using a range of media.
• You will have the ability to build strong relationships, and be a confident voice with the ability to influence a range of stakeholders.

Additional Information

This role will be based in the Southampton HQ.  MCA supports flexible working and operates a hybrid working model between home and office for this role, giving you greater flexibility over where and when you work.  

The expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace or out on official business. Details of the arrangement will be discussed further with your line manager. 

This role requires occasional UK and overseas travel, which may involve overnight stays and working outside of normal hours, potentially at weekends. Notice will be given prior to travel. 

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. 

Click here to get a copy of the MCA Staff Benefits Brochure   

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

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Within your CV and personal statement please demonstrate your knowledge and experience of:   

• Building relationships and working with stakeholders to achieve a common goal
• Using and analysing data
• Working in either Policy, or a relevant field such as Maritime

Your personal statement will be limited to a maximum of 750 words.  

It is essential when submitting your personal statement that you provide as much detail as possible, and utilise the full word count given, against the essential criteria outlined above as this will be used in conjunction with your CV to assess candidate suitability to move to the next round in the recruitment process.   

The sift is due to take place w/c 12/02/2024.

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held w/c  26/02/2024.

This interview will be conducted face to face at one of our offices. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.  

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 will include:  

• An interview. 
• A presentation

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

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

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. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.