About the job

Job summary

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.

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'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

Within the Directorate of UK Technical Services (UKMS), Ship Standards has responsibility for developing, negotiating, and maintaining UK policies and regulations relating to a wide range of safety and environment issues associated with ships of all sizes - from small pleasure vessels to the largest internationally trading ships.

As the Ship Construction an Equipment Policy Lead, you will take a proactive lead in managing and developing UK policy regulations and guidance, in support of UK government objectives to ensure a safe and commercially successful UK fleet.

The role holder will provide a focal point, within their area of responsibility, for a variety of internal and external stakeholders including those from other Government departments and the shipping industry, both nationally and internationally.

This role brings an abundance of across government working, industry engagement and liaison with lawyers and parliament to ensure the correct implementation of maritime the policies and legislations.

This is an exciting opportunity for you to join a team where no two days are the same. You will enjoy a varied workload looking at different aspects of policy and legislation in order to achieve the MCA’s strategic vision.  This role provides a key opportunity to be involved in discussions with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), providing fantastic exposure across the industry and the chance to network and build long lasting relationships.

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 ship construction and equipment, with a focus on, but not limited to Marine Equipment, market surveillance and SOLAS XII.
• In conjunction with senior colleagues, representing 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.
• Drafting instructions for Government lawyers for preparation and timely implementation of regulations and codes and guidance related to UK policy and coordinate associated impact assessments. This includes the development of M-Notices, Safety Bulletins, Instructions to Surveyors and Advice Notes as required.
• 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 example, internal and external government colleagues, industry, Non-Government Organisations, Red Ensign Group, other governments etc. Handling of technical and policy questions, especially those related to policies covered by ship safety team raised both internally and externally, and provide advice to senior managers in the MCA, DfT, other government departments and Ministers.
• Acting as policy lead for relevant international and domestic regulations covered by ship standards and which may include, Marine Equipment, market surveillance and SOLAS XII and to assist in other policies etc. as assigned by line manager.

For an in-depth insight into the role, please refer to the Role Profile attached to this advert.

Person specification

About You

To be successful in this role, you will hold a degree level education in a STEM based subject or alternatively you will be able to evidence your research ability in a technical discipline.

You will be able to apply scientific and technical knowledge to demonstrate a high standard of drafting ability in order to produce high quality submissions and other policy documents. Your input will be vital in shaping regulations, and you will take an active role in developing policy, so you will need to be resilient, self-motivated, and able keep pace with developments in industry.

You will possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and confidently, whilst acting with integrity, when representing the agency in various settings such as at the Houses of Parliament or with the IMO.

You will be an organised individual with first class attention to detail, who excels at interpreting often complex and technical information in-order-to translate into easy to understand language suitable for a variety of audiences.

You will also be articulate in the use of Microsoft Office packages such as Word, Excel and Outlook.

Additional Information

There will be a requirement for occasional travel on official duty within the UK and overseas, which may involve overnight stays away from home. A passport valid for international travel is required.

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.

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.

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. 

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

• Details of your degree level education in a STEM based subject or evidence to demonstrate your research ability in a technical discipline
• Experience of applying scientific and technical knowledge to draft high standard submissions and other policy documents
• Experience of collaborating and communicating with a wide range of stakeholders

Your personal statement will be limited to a maximum of 1,250 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.    

Sift and Interview Dates 

The sift is due to take place on 11th & 12th April 2024.

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held from 22nd April 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

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.

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.

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

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.