HM Coastguard Divisional Commander
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
About the job
Job summary
Are you a motivational leader with a background in an emergency response environment?
Could you manage budgets, resources, performance and set direction across a large operational division?
Would you relish an exciting change of career where your skills and experience will make a real difference?
If so, we are looking for a HM Coastguard Divisional Commander 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 are committed to giving all our colleagues purpose, professionalism and pride in what we do. We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams.
We want everyone to feel valued and supported to achieve their potential at MCA.
This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks groups covering, Women’s, LGBTQI+, Race, Carers, Mental Wellbeing and volunteer Respect Ambassadors.
Job description
HM Coastguard (HMCG) is the operational arm of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) with responsibility for 6 Coastguard functions:
- Search and Rescue
- Pollution Response
- Vessel Traffic Management
- Maritime Safety
- Maritime Security
- Emergency and Disaster Management
There are three delivery disciplines within HM Coastguard Operations; Maritime, which coordinate activities from an operations room environment, Aviation which operates the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) from an operations room environment and Coastal which provides a frontline emergency response on the coast.
We are looking for a dynamic individual to join us within Maritime & Coastal Operations as the HM Coastguard Divisional Commander.
Reporting directly to the Assistant Chief Coastguard England & Wales, the successful applicant will take responsibility and accountability for contributing to and implementing strategic planning and management of operational delivery and performance of a designated Coastguard operational division made up of approximately 40 response teams and 500 volunteers across a number of coastal areas.
The HM Coastguard Divisional Commander will provide strong and visible strategic leadership, supervision and guidance to their direct reports to ensure efficient and effective operational delivery within Maritime, Coastal and Counter Pollution Operations.
The role holder will play a key part in identifying risks and participating in a wider Senior Officer Group to ensure that a culture of safety prevails at all times and that the safety of staff and volunteers remains the top priority, with continuous engagement throughout their command.
Stakeholder collaboration is crucial within this role and the HM Coastguard Divisional Commander will represent the organisation, being the strategic lead for interoperability response to major and critical incidents, working together and building robust relationships with other emergency services, local government, voluntary organisations and local resilience fora as well as internally across the MCA.
This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to take up a key position in a passionate and proud organisation, which offers growth and development and the opportunity to collaborate with a wide variety of interesting stakeholders. You will join an inclusive, supportive and enthusiastic team and really will thrive in a role that makes a difference - saving lives and keeping people safe.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Close governance and review of the processes which underpin successful operational preparedness and the strategic delivery of effective and efficient Maritime, Coastal and Counter Pollution operations. This will be achieved through the sound management, direction and leadership of the Rescue Co-ordination Centre Managers, Coastal Operations Area Commanders and Counter Pollution and Salvage Officer.
- Identifying, mitigating and monitoring strategic risks within the operational Coastguard Division and collaborating with strategic colleagues as necessary. This includes providing the Senior Officer Group with a strategic overview of operations and response capability to enable operational review and approval of the provision, enhancement or removal of operational resources.
- Ensuring the delivery of MCA category 1 responder obligations under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 with its emergency response partners in civil resilience planning, training and exercises at local and regional levels, and for the implementation of national MCA resilience policies and processes within their operational Coastguard Division. Representing HMCG at a strategic level, liaising and negotiating with other Search and Rescue stakeholders, national authorities and Governmental Departments for emergency and resource planning purposes, exchanging information on capabilities and determining roles, processes and procedures for inter-agency and interoperable working at all levels.
- Identifying, recording, operational implementation and reporting of HMCG organisational learning & development procedures and culture.
- Maintaining strategic oversight of Divisional budgets and operating within MCA financial targets whilst always managing resources to achieve value for money and ensuring effective operational delivery.
For an in-depth insight into the role, please refer to the Role Profile attached to this advert.
Person specification
About You
We are looking to be joined by a motivated individual with experience of leadership, command, control and management of teams at a strategic level in an emergency response environment along with experience of successfully leading organisational change programmes.
You will be a strong and natural leader, leading from the front with integrity, honesty and accountability, taking an active and visible role and establishing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment in order to motivate and build effective and efficient teams.
You are a confident communicator, able to think strategically and give clear direction in variable situations. You apply sound judgement when making decisions and your knowledge and experience of identifying, mitigating and monitoring organisational risk will lend itself well to this.
Fantastic interpersonal skills are integral to this role and you pride yourself on your ability to collaborate with others successfully, quickly building rapport and strong trusted relationships with multiple stakeholders.
You have a high degree of emotional intelligence and can remain calm and resilient in everchanging, and sometimes high-pressured, environments.
Additional Information
This role can be based in the Liverpool or Bridlington office. 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.
Successful candidates will be required to complete a Mental Wellbeing and Resilience questionnaire as part of the pre-employment check. This is not intended to diagnose mental health conditions, but instead is used to identify any mental health issues that could be exacerbated through working with the MCA in this role. More information will be sent to successful candidates as part of the pre-employment checks. If you have any questions about this, please contact HR.Resourcing@mcga.gov.uk
The role holder will work as part of the national command staffing system and participate in a 24/7 on-call roster providing strategic leadership and direction. This will involve working outside of standard daytime hours.
The role holder will be required to work across the entire operational Division and wider HMCG UK operational footprint and to attend formal training events and this may require spending time away from home and the normal workplace.
The role holder may be required to travel internationally to represent the MCA and/or the UK e.g. international forums, events, exercises, training, etc.
An unrestricted passport valid for international travel is required as well as a full driving licence valid for driving in the UK.
Successful candidates will be expected to undertake a medical. This will be in line with that required for a Maritime Operations Controller, detailed within the attached document.
Please note: This is a uniformed role and uniform will be required to be worn at all times when on duty.
About Operational Delivery Profession (ODP)
Operational Delivery Profession (ODP) is the largest and most diverse professional community across the Civil Service. Many of us will have an association with several professional communities or specialisms, ODP applies to all public facing roles / or a role that is primarily aligned to supporting the work of those with public facing roles. All critical to the delivery of UK public services.
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 and Experience.How to Apply
As part of your application, you will be required to complete a CV and a Personal Statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please provide a CV outlining your career history, and the key responsibilities you had in each of your roles.
Within your CV and personal statement please demonstrate your:
- Knowledge and experience of leadership, command, control and management of teams at a strategic level in an emergency response environment.
- Knowledge & experience of building strategic relationships both internally and externally with multiple stakeholders.
- Knowledge and experience of identifying, mitigating and monitoring organisational risk.
- Knowledge and experience of successfully leading organisational change programmes.
Your personal statement will be limited to a maximum of 1,000 words.
Sift and Interview Dates:
The sift is due to take place between 8th & 10th July 2024.
Interviews are due to take place week commencing 22nd July 2024.
This interview could be conducted online via Teams or 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.
- A role play exercise.
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.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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
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.