Research Vessel Technical Manager


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Details

Reference number

322532

Salary

£49,403 – £55,823
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. There is a pay award pending as Cefas is yet to finalise and implement the Civil Service Pay Remit 2023/2024 – Civil Service Pay Remit Guidance, 2023 to 2024 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
A
Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

CEFAS – Corporate

Type of role

Health and Safety
Science

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

Lowestoft

Job summary

Cefas require an experienced Technical Superintendent to support the current delivery of marine science from RV Cefas Endeavour, and to provide technical expertise to inform and shape how Cefas undertakes vessel based marine scientific data collection in the future. 

There will be opportunities to drive forward decarbonisation and associated net zero ambitions, along with reviewing and implementing vessel-based technologies which reduce environmental impact whilst maintaining / enhancing scientific capability. 

Cefas is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, backgrounds, ways of working and thinking, makes us a stronger organisation, better at reflecting the communities we serve. We embrace different views and experiences and value the fresh perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.   

Job description

The Research Vessel Technical Manager will be responsible for:  

  • Technical management of RV Cefas Endeavour. 
  • Oversight and support of the Research Vessel Management Services contractor, including associated activities (e.g. dry docking, maintenance, etc). 
  • Monitoring compliance of RV Cefas Endeavour with class, flag state, and international requirements. 
  • Management of Cefas subcontractors delivering activities whilst onboard RV Cefas Endeavour during port calls. 
  • Supporting internal and external Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) audits and/or inspections. 
  • Developing technical proposals to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of RV Cefas Endeavour and associated assets and scientific equipment, etc. 
  • The technical oversight of the Specialist Marine Technical Consultant (procured by Cefas to support the technical development of a project business case exploring options to address the end of operational life of RV Cefas Endeavour). 
  • Technical oversight of the procurement and implementation of the ‘Preferred Option’ as identified in the Project Business Case (subject to receipt of wider UK Government approvals).

    Person specification

    The following are essential criteria required for this role and you must be able to demonstrate your skills and experience in the following areas: 

    • Previous experience as Chief Engineer on offshore vessels (ideally survey / research vessels); 
    • Proven experience and technical ability as a Technical Superintendent; 
    • Experience in the design, construction, operation, and commercial management of ships; 
    • Knowledge of ISM Code, LOLER 1998 and PUWER 2006; 
    • Planned Maintenance system experience; and 
    • IMO STCW issued Certificate of Competency Class 1 Chief Engineer (III/2).   

      In addition to the above, the successful applicant would be expected to travel (approximately. 50-60 days annually), and to go to sea for short periods.  

      The successful applicant would therefore need to get an ENG1 medical and complete the STCW Personal Survival Techniques training prior to going to sea.

      Behaviours

      We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

      We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

      Alongside your salary of £49,403, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science contributes
      £13,338 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

      Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
      • Generous annual leave entitlement – Cefas offers 25 days’ annul leave on entry (rising to 30 days over first 5yrs) for full-time new entrants to the Civil Service. Employees receive 8 public holidays a year, plus an additional day to mark the late Queen’s birthday 
      • Access to learning and development tailored to your role
      • A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options
      • A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
      • Eligible to join the Civil Service Pension scheme – more information can be found on the CSP website Home – Civil Service Pension Scheme 
      • Staff recognition vouchers
      • In-year award scheme

      Selection process details

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

      Application Process  
       
      As part of the application process you are asked to provide a CV (job history, qualifications, past skills and experience), a 750-word personal statement on how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section, and a 250-word statement on how you meet the lead behaviour ‘Managing a Quality Service.’

      Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

      • For guidance on Civil Service Success Profiles, this video tells you what you’ll need to provide throughout the assessment process with supporting guidance on each step. Link – Success Profiles
      • For guidance on how to construct your CV, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – CV
      • For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Statement
      • For guidance on how to construct your lead behaviour statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Behaviours

      Sift  

      The sift panel will use the information in your CV and personal statement to assess your experience and how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section. The sift panel will also assess the lead behaviour – ‘Managing a Quality Service’. 

      Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour – Managing a Quality Service’. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or, progressed straight to assessment/interview.  

      Interview schedule and details will be confirmed on release of the sift results.

      Interview  

      If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on your experience, advertised behaviours and strengths.  You may also be required to give a presentation but will receive further information to prepare for this if you are invited to interview.

      Please be aware that at this time, interviews may take place either in person or remotely. 

      If scores are equal following interview, an assessment of the lead behaviour – ‘Managing a Quality Service’ will be used by the panel.

      A date has not yet been confirmed for the interviews to take place.  

      Location

      Please be aware that this role will be contractually based at Lowestoft. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

      Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.

      Blended Working

      Cefas operates a blended working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.

      Our staff are expected to work the office/lab location in Lowestoft as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending a minimum of one day in the workplace

      Reserve List

      A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

      Salary 

      New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

      There is a pay award pending as Cefas is yet to finalise and implement the Civil Service Pay Remit 2023/2024 – Civil Service Pay Remit Guidance, 2023 to 2024 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). 

      Visa Sponsorship Statement

      Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

      Reasonable Adjustment

      If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

      If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

      • Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
      • Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

      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.

      Criminal Record Check

      If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.

      In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

      Internal Fraud Database Check

      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.

      Childcare Vouchers 

      Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

      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.
      This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
      The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
      Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available.
      You may want to save a copy for your records.

      Contact point for applicants

      Job contact :

      • Name : Cally Wiles or Alec Wilson
      • Email : resourcing@cefas.gov.uk

      Recruitment team

      • Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

      Further information

      If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact:

      Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

      If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission.

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