DSA Movement & Transport Regulator – Movements Assurance (HEO)

The Role

The Movement & Transport Safety Regulator (MTSR) is responsible for providing assurance to the Secretary of State that Defence Movement & Transport (M&T) activity is compliant with legislation and Defence Regulations. The Movements Assurance HEO is a core member of the MTSR section within the Defence Safety Authority (DSA). Your role will contribute to M&T Safety and Environmental assurance and policy across the Department. You will need to be prepared and able to deploy for short periods in the UK or overseas, joining a hybrid civil/military team for the inspection of M&T activity on MOD establishments around the world. 

If you have an interest in safety, have an inquisitive mind, and wish to make a difference then we would be delighted to receive your application. 

The Organisation

The Defence Safety Authority (DSA) is responsible for the regulation of Defence health, safety, and environmental protection. Its purpose is to provide independent, evidence- based assurance to the Secretary of State for Defence (SoS), that their policy on safety in Defence is being promoted and implemented within the course of Defence activities. The DSA brings together the MOD safety regulators across all environments, including maritime, air, land, nuclear, ordnance and fire, and accident investigators into a single independent organisation led by a 3* military officer. 

Our Department

The Defence Land Safety Regulator (DLSR) is one of 9 Regulators that sit within DSA, is responsible for safety and environmental protection regulation across 4 specific areas of predominantly land domain activity:  Land Systems, Movement and Transport, Fuel and Gas, and Adventurous Training.  DLSR delivers against this remit by: tracking, assessing and influencing forthcoming technology and legislative changes; setting Defence Regulations, Codes of Practice and Guidance; conducting independent assurance audits and inspections; licensing high-hazard activities; and if required, taking enforcement action to ensure compliance and support the delivery of operational capability. Your position sits within MTSR. 

At the DSA, we are committed to equal employment opportunities and building a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunities Employer recruiting solely based on merit; we strive to eradicate bias and search for all types of talent. We work diligently to ensure every social group can feel included; our dedication to diversity is evident across our organization and reflects our vision of encouraging an inclusive workforce that harnesses the power of difference to safeguard our nation’s security and stability. 

We’ll also ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request further information.

This job role is suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station) and working from home as a personal choice, with management approval and to meet business needs.  If you are successful, your permanent duty station and any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.

This role will offer you the opportunity to work within the Movement & Transport Safety Regulator, as the Assure SO2 Movements 1 (HEO).  

MTSR is responsible for regulating Defence M&T activities conducted worldwide, by setting and continuously improving Defence Movement and Transport regulations and standards, conducting inspections and providing advice and guidance for all Movement and Transport activities. Main roles include regulating: –

The safe preparation and transport of vehicles and equipment, including Dangerous Goods, by all modes of transport; The safe use and management of road transport (including workplace transport); Defence driving licence acquisition; The safe operation of Defence Railways; Load safety, road safety and the safe movement of personnel. 

Contribute to the development and delivery of the assurance of the M&T functions in the MTSR domain, including:

• Act as the M&T lead in respect of the movement of loads and load security by all modes of transport.
• Conduct inspections and provide reports on road movement activity. Where appropriate conduct joint inspections in collaboration with other DSA inspectors or in cooperation with TLB internal assurance teams or external inspectors. 
• Deliver MTSR Inspector training. 
• Conduct or assist with regulatory action, including audit, inspection, investigation and enforcement (where appropriate) covering any M&T activity, processes and/or procedures as required by SO1 Assure Movement. 
• Represent SO1 Assure Movement as tasked and provide load and load security SME advice and guidance as necessary. 
• Identify and analyse data and/or trends specific to functional areas of responsibilities.
• Provide DSA level advice relating to the safe movement and transport of cargo across all modes of transport.
• Liaise with relevant UK regulatory authorities (Health and Safety Executive, Department for Transport, HM Revenue and Customs, Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) in order to understand legislative requirements.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of the Movement & Transport Safety Regulations. 

 The role of Assure SO2 Movements (HEO) will involve regular travel within the UK and occasional travel outside of the UK, including where necessary, to operational environments.

You will be expected to collaborate with others and provide advice and guidance with regards to changes within HSE regulations for possible read across into updating Defence policy.

Occasionally you may be required to provide ad-hoc support to, and deputise for others within the team.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work flexibly in order to meet stretching deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• The post holder shall have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of multi-modal M&T related activities, standards and procedures regarding surface movement in respect of routine, training and operational environments
• They should also have an understanding of current legislation affecting the world-wide modal movement of vehicles, containers and material in accordance with procedures used within the MOD and NATO community.
• Can work independently and as part of a wider team.
• Ability to interact and engage confidently with a range of stakeholders across Defence. 

You will work closely with external Defence safety and assurance organisations to develop relationships, gain an understanding of issues, share information arising from risk-based analysis, and conduct audits, both remote desk-based and site-based as appropriate. 

Using analytical skills, you will review data looking for trends and areas which require you to conduct further investigation so that risk to life activities can be reduced and the likelihood of further injuries and/or damage to equipment can be minimised. 

When applicable, you will recommend any enforcement action where breaches in regulations have occurred or where a risk is deemed unacceptable, and improvement is required. 

Exploiting your excellent writing skills, you will produce comprehensive electronic post inspection reports explaining in detail any areas of non-compliance as well as making recommendations for improvement. 

Your considered opinions will be invaluable to numerous related working groups and stakeholder committee meetings which you will actively participate in, offering succinct and accurate advice.

As a self-disciplined operator you will develop and sustain an expert level of knowledge of ground-based systems pertinent to Defence including the relevant policies and regulations. 

You will be expected to collaborate with others and provide advice and guidance with regards to changes within HSE regulations for possible read across into updating Defence policy.

Occasionally you may be required to provide ad-hoc support to, and deputise for, the team’s Lead Auditor.

Essential Experience

• Prior experience of undertaking either professional inspections or investigations;
• comprehensive knowledge and understanding of multi-modal M&T related activities, standards and procedures regarding surface movements.
• understanding of current legislation affecting the world-wide modal movement of vehicles, containers and material in accordance with procedures used within the MOD and NATO community. 

Desirable Experience

• Logistics background

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options including a flexi-time scheme
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• Highly competitive Civil Service pension scheme with average 27% employer contribution
• Alternative working practices such as hybrid working
• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Ability to roll over up to 10 days annual leave per year
• In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The King’s birthday
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• Minimum of 15 days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period for volunteer military or emergency service reserve commitments
• Special paid leave for volunteering up to 6 days per year
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing – a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
• On-site gymnasium (for a small monthly fee for membership of Civil Service Sports Club)
• Loan to purchase a Bicycle (Advance on Salary)
• Defence Sports & Recreational Association (DSRA)
• Access to Defence Discount Service & Blue Light Discount
• On-site Nursery (Abbey Wood, Bristol)

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

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

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Job contact :

• Name : Danny Davidson – Line Manager for the Role
• Email : daniel.davidson897@mod.gov.uk
• Telephone : 03001554370

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk