About the job

Job summary

The RNW Watchkeepers perform a key role, taking responsibility to meet our requirement for the dissemination of navigationally significant information to support the Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974.  The RNW Watchkeeping Team provide a 24/7 service to ensure incoming data is assessed for urgent risks to the safety of navigation and as required, promulgated immediately, as Maritime Safety Information in accordance with the requirements of IMO resolution A706(17). 

The RNW team fulfils the day-to-day operational functions of NAVAREA I Co-ordinator and UK National Co-ordinator within the World-Wide Navigation Warning Service (WWNWS).  The team also provides separate bespoke services for the Royal Navy during peacetime.  

The team assess incoming data for urgent risks to the safety of navigation and as required, promulgate immediately as Maritime Safety Information in accordance with the requirements of International Maritime Organization (IMO) resolution A706(17). 

The B3 (EO) RNW Junior Watchkeeper role is a development role – post holders will be paired with experienced B2 (HEO) RNW Watchkeepers and will undergo a period of training and development, following a staged programme, culminating in a final assessment which if successfully completed will secure progression in to the B2 RNW Watchkeeper role. 

There may be an opportunity for internal candidates who pass the board and are placed on a reserve list, to undertake training as a “reserve Watchkeeper”, depending on their releasability.  This is separate from the standard reserve list for this role which will be open to both internal and external applicants.

Shift information for this role

• The role will be contractually based at our Head Office in Taunton; you must be able to travel to the office as and when required.  The current requirement is for 1 watchkeeper within the watchbill to be on-site at all times. 

• Post holders must be able to be 'logged on’ AND ‘on-watch’ within 45 minutes when off watch but on call. There may still be a requirement to travel on site during this time due to operational requirements. 

• Post holders must be able to attend an alternative operations centre in a pre-established off-site location, using their own means of transport, in the event that operations cannot be maintained at the UKHO for any reason. 

• Shift working will be on a watch rotation basis, with all watchkeepers undertaking day watches, night watches, early watches and nights on call within their watch pattern.   A full breakdown can be provided – please email recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk

[Please note our Policy on informal hybrid working (arrangements available as agreed with the line manager) does not extend to working overseas].

 

Job description

Post holders will undertake, with support and guidance from the B2 RNW Watchkeepers, the following tasks: 

Issue Radio Navigation Warnings (RNW): 

• Correctly assess MSI received during the period of duty for UK coastal navigational warnings (WZ) or NAVAREA Warnings.
• Issue appropriate Navigation Warnings in English and in accordance with the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information (IHO S-53)
• Issue Navigation Warnings within specified times of receipt of original data in RNW. 

Deliver products and services required by the Defence customer: 

• Correctly assess MSI received during the period of duty for promulgation to specific Defence customers.
• Issue all Defence related warnings within agreed times of receipt of original data in RNW.

General tasks working in conjunction with a senior watchkeeper: 

• Maintain RNW operational lists, displays, publications and records. Archiving RNW records in accordance with current practices.
• Other day to day operational tasks associated with/or in support of the role of NAVAREA I Co-ordinator and UK National Coordinator (e.g., advising on procedural matters, liaising with external civil/military authorities on operational matters affecting RNW).
• Support Senior watchkeepers with briefs to external visitors and internal staff as required regarding the role that RNW fulfil.
• Undertake training to support development as laid out in the B3 to B2 progression plan. 

Additional tasks: 

• Monitor Source Data Receipt (SDR) inbox out of hours.
• Act as Customer Services point of contact outside office hours to issue emergency permits.
• As and when appropriate and capacity allows, support wider Operations Teams with the assessment of incoming data.

Person specification

• Successful applicants for the role will work alongside another watchkeeper assessing a continuous flow of information for navigational significance and issuing resultant warnings within a short timeframe – a strong team work ethic and a team player is essential and maintaining focus whilst delivering at pace is key.
• When issuing Navigation Warnings, the watchkeeper is directly representing the United Kingdom and NAVAREA I, so the successful candidate will need to be confident with this remit.
• You will be engaging with mariners and stakeholders across national and international organisations along with internal stakeholders and subject matter experts. A genuine interest in ensuring the safety of the Mariner at sea is fundamental to the role. 
• You will be assessing information to determine maritime navigational risk. A good knowledge of the maritime domain and terminology is essential. Experience in a maritime navigational role is preferable.
• Successful applicants for the role will be issuing safety critical Navigation Warnings in Engish to vessels at sea, so a high level of accuracy and good attention to detail is essential additionally an understanding of Maritime English is useful
• An understanding of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and the World-Wide Navigation Warning Service (WWNWS) is valuable

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,539, UK Hydrographic Office contributes £7,975 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:

To apply for this role click on the 'Apply Now' button and enter the requested information from your CV.  You will also be asked to submit a Statement of Suitability of up to 500 words stating how you meet the experience criteria below and be asked to give examples on how you meet the below Civil Service behaviours in no more than 250 words for each.

Timeline:

• Advert Closes for applications: Monday 8th January 2024
• Shortlisting date likely to take place week commencing 15th January 2024
• Interviews will likely take place week commencing 22nd January 2024

Please note that whilst we will attempt to keep to the dates listed above, the sift and interview dates may need to be moved slightly to meet the availability of the panel.

 Sift/Shortlist Criteria:

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

Civil Service Behaviours (Level 2):

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Experience:

You will be asked to enter information from your CV.  Please note this is for information purposes only.  Your Statement of Suitability of up to 500 words will be assessed against the two criteria below.

• Practical experience of working with Maritime Safety Information (MSI) or as a minimum, experience in assessing complex information and taking appropriate action quickly and accurately.

• Knowledge of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) and Radio Navigation Warnings

Interview Criteria:

Test:

Prior to the interview candidates will be sent a test to complete.  More details will be sent to those invited to interview.  The test will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Sound judgment in determining what constitutes a danger to navigation
• Making Effective Decisions (Level 2)

You will then be interviewed against the following essential criteria

Civil Service Behaviours (Level 2):

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Technical Skills:

• Knowledge of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) and Radio Navigation Warnings.
• An understanding of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and the World-Wide Navigation Warning Service (WWNWS).

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

Process:  

• A test followed by a 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 Checked) Clearance, but you may be able to start your role before gaining this.  Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms. 

SC – reserved
This is a Ministry of Defence reserved post and and is therefore open to UK nationals only.  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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.