About the job

Job summary

UKHO is developing the next generation of bathymetric data handling capability moving from manual processing to utilising the latest tools and technologies to benefit the customer by improving timeliness, quality, and data interoperability. This is a significant strategic and technical undertaking and will require internal influencing and external collaboration with numerous industry experts and suppliers.

We are looking for candidates with a high-level understanding of bathymetric data in all formats and sources, and in addition, the technologies available or in development to drive decision making on effective and dynamic solutions to suit requirements.

The role will involve working closely with colleagues, external stakeholders and customers, including other government departments, public bodies, wider industry and academia, and the post holder  will bring their wider technical insight and knowledge to feed into the development of the UKHO’s strategy and future offering. 

The post holder will also ensure strategies and capabilities have a clear transition plan in place to ensure it can be brought into the UKHO production flow line.

Aspects of this role can be undertaken in a hybrid way but there will be a need for regular attendance in the Taunton Office.

Please note our Policy on informal hybrid working (arrangements available as agreed with the line manager) applies within the UK, and does not extend to working overseas.

Job description

Internal Strategy / capability building 

• Utilise own detailed knowledge of specialist area and translate this into an easily digestible strategy/future direction that delivers tangible business benefits that can be quantified. 
• Create and maintain a live Strategy for bathymetric data processing, aligned to UKHO Business Plan/Corporate Plan with an understanding of internal and external constraints and opportunities. 
• Engage with internal stakeholders across the organisation to gain consensus and buy in to strategy and future capability.
• Working in partnership with the Group Managers in Operations and other key stakeholders, Identify and plan key technical skill requirements for specialist areas (to include succession planning and development of staff beyond immediate area), including the definition of clear technical development pathways.

External representation 

• Engage with external customers to understand detailed technical requirements and using deep technical specialism to translate these into future capabilities/opportunities.
• Identify where technical capabilities exist outside of UKHO and put plans in place to leverage these. Establishing technical relationships to avoid duplication of effort across government and wider industry / academia. 

Technical discovery

• Horizon scan to ensure own technical credibility remains relevant and wider technical specialists are enabled/signposted (in discussion with their managers) to undertake similar development opportunities in relation to their area of expertise – providing mentoring as appropriate.
• Use technical domain expertise and knowledge of current processes to provide high level guidance where available information is incomplete. The post holder will know enough to give high level estimates of effort involved at various stages of the process and the balance of resulting benefits.
• Provide technical input into published papers/journals targeted towards an academic/scientific audience.

Person specification

We are looking for candidates who are able  apply their technical expertise to complex or strategic real world challenges.  You will have a clear awareness and appreciation of the wider challenges and opportunities that could enable or impact delivery of technical solutions and have the people skills to be able to work collaboratively and influence effectively at all levels.

You will have an intrinsic understanding of bathymetric data in all formats and sources, and in addition knowledge of the technologies available or in development to drive decision making on effective and dynamic solutions to suit requirements.

You will be able to demonstrate a personal and professional commitment to you field of expertise; keeping technical knowledge up-to-date and using it to provide advice and guidance to others. 

You will also be able to demonstrate how you  apply your of technical knowledge with an understanding of the commercial and economic environment, and regulatory landscape, to inform decision making.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,686, UK Hydrographic Office contributes £15,575 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

How to Apply:

Click on "Apply Now" to enter the requested information from your CV.  Please note this will not be scored. You will also be asked to submit a Statement of Suitability of up to 750 words demonstrating how you meet the person specification above.  Additionally you will have 250 words to demonstrate how you meet each of the Civil Service Behaviours listed below.

Timeline:

• Advert Closes for applications: 21st February 2024
• Shortlisting: week commencing 26th February 2024
• Interviews: week commencing 4th March 2024 

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

Sift/Shortlist Criteria:

All applications are processed anonymously. You will be short-listed against the following criteria: 

Civil Service Behaviours (Level 4):

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Developing Self and Others

Experience:

Your statement of suitability will be assessed against the person specification detailed above. 

Interview Criteria: 

The interview will include a presentation, details of which will be sent to those invited to interview.  It will be assessed against the criteria below:

• Communicating and Influencing (Level 4)
• Intrinsic understanding of bathymetric data in all formats and sources, and in addition, the technologies available or in development to drive decision making on effective and dynamic solutions to suit requirements.

You will be interviewed against the following criteria: 

Civil Service Behaviours (Level 4):

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership 

Experience:

• Ability to demonstrate a deep technical knowledge within field of expertise, including a personal and professional commitment to the profession, keeping technical knowledge up-to-date and using it to provide advice and guidance to others. 

 See here for further information: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Process:  

• Single Stage Interview via TEAMS. You will be contacted to book a suitable slot if you are shortlisted (see our Candidate Pack for further information)
• Interview will be with a panel of no more than 3 people and will last approx. 45 mins

 

Onboarding Checks:

In the event you are offered a role with us, you will be required to go through Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which will include Employment and Right to Work Checks. You will also need to apply for SC (Security Clearance), but you may be able to start your role before gaining this. Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms.

Please note, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

SC – non reserved
This is a Ministry of Defence non-reserved post and although open to UK, British Commonwealth and European Economic Area nationals, successful applicants will require a security clearance (SC) and therefore need to have resided in the UK for a minimum of 12 consecutive months within the last 5 years

Eligibility

Due to the secure nature of our work, there may be eligibility restrictions if you hold dual nationality or are not a British Citizen. We will consider each application on a case-by-case basis. We will ask you in our application form to confirm your place of birth and details of any dual or previous nationalities.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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

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.