About the job

Job summary

Are you able to build successful relationships with a variety of stakeholders at all levels?

Can you use your exceptional written skills to draft high quality documents?

Would you love a varied role which brings fantastic exposure across the industry?
   
If so, we are looking for a Ship Construction and Equipment Policy Advisor 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

As the Ship Construction and Equipment Policy Advisor, it will be your responsibility to take a proactive lead in managing and developing UK policy regulations and guidance for the specific policy areas as directed by their Line Manager, in support of UK government objectives for a safe and commercially successful UK fleet drawing on their own knowledge and also the technical expertise of colleagues.

Your role will provide a focal point for their area of responsibility for liaison with stakeholders (both internal and external) to ensure the MCA has an informed and balanced approach that meets the Government's obligations, industry needs, and public expectations.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate and professional individual to join our team at the MCA. You will be assisting to write and implement policy that is having a positive effect on making international shipping safer and more environmentally friendly.

Your responsibilities 

• Supported by Senior Colleagues lead on a specific Policy remit which includes but not limited to REG Yacht Code, Marine equipment, Polar Code and Inland Waterways.
• Work with others in the team to manage Stakeholder Groups and represent MCA at such meetings as well as other meetings, working groups, project groups and external events as required in support of key responsibilities and the work of Stakeholder Groups.
• In conjunction with senior colleagues, to 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.
• Supported by Senior Colleagues lead on the drafting of instructions for Government lawyers to facilitate the timely implementation of regulations and draft codes and guidance to implement UK policy for shipping safety. Coordinate the development of associated impact assessments in conjunction with Government economists.

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

Person specification

• To be successful in this role, you will need have an excellent attention to detail and to be able to draft high quality submissions and other policy documents.
• In addition, you will need to be computer literate with the ability to use Microsoft Office Word, Excel and emails.
• A strength of yours will be good organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise, recognise changing priorities and effectively plan and organise workloads accordingly.
• You will have effective communication skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

Additional Information  

This role will be based in the Southampton HQ (or relevant 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.  

This role requires occasional UK and overseas travel which may involve overnight stays and working outside of normal hours, potentially at weekends. 

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, Experience and Technical skills.

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:

• Drafting high quality standard submissions and other policy documents.
• Computer literate with the ability to use Microsoft Office Word, Excel and emails.
• Effective communication and able to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

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 on the 22nd and 23rd of April 2024.

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held from the 6th of May 2024.

This interview will be conducted online via face to face at our Southampton office. 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. 

As part of your interview you will be assessed against the Policy Profession Standards.

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.