DSA Defence Maritime Regulator Business Planner

The Defence Safety Authority (DSA) is responsible for the regulation of Defence Health, Safety and Environmental Protection, operating under a Charter from the Secretary of State for Defence (SofS). The DSA provides independent assurance direct to the SofS that the law is complied with and his policy on safety in Defence is being promoted and implemented whilst Defence activities are conducted. This regulation is achieved through proportional and appropriate evidence-based assessment of the activity that supports the Defence’s operational imperatives.

Within the DSA, the Defence Maritime Regulator (DMR) is tasked to provide regulation, assurance and enforcement across the Defence Maritime Domain. This comprises all activity conducted by MOD Shipping, in the Defence Ports and at Defence Harbour Facilities and in Defence Diving, both Military and Commercially contracted diving, in support of defence activities. As new technologies and vessel types, such as autonomous vessels or the involvement of AI emerge, DMR are constantly looking at the maritime scope to ensure that safety and environmental protection are assured going forward.

DMR consists of four areas: Executive and Enabling, Regulation and Compliance, Shipping Inspectorate and Maritime Assurance Inspectorate, the Project Management Lead forms part of the Executive and Enabling (E&E) team. The primary function of E&E is to provide the administrative, analysis and planning capabilities needed by DMR to enable us to meet our declared aim of reducing risks to life and the environment across Defence activity within the maritime domain.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

• Own the ongoing management of DMR’s 5-10 year plan setting out the activities, resource requirements, training and skills needs, tool development and associated financial provision.
• Management of the DMR Master Activity Plan setting out activities in more detail for in-year activities for approval at the Management Board formal meeting.
• Lead the development and drafting of our annual Business Plan and its’ co-ordination with the higher-level DSA Business Plan.
• Report progress against delivery of the outputs set out in the Business Plan expediting and proposing amendments to the plan for consideration by the Management Board.
• Support to the Senior Risk Analyst, and wider DMR Stakeholders in the generation of future requirements, by leading on the contracting and of system enhancements, acceptance testing and go live.
• Support DMR teams in the development of new business processes especially those involving DMR software tools and information gathering/creation
• Develop and lead effective Business Risk Management within DMR and work with DSA HQ to understand higher level risks.
• Develop our Annual Budget Cycle submission and the processes required for its creation making sure they are in tune with associated processes in DSA is achieved.
• Drive the creation and maintenance of DMR skills development and training plans allowing for our contribution to wider DSA long term capability.
• Ensuring our Operating Model and associated process meet the needs of DMR going forward and support the planning and progress monitoring of any required changes. 

Essential criteria:

• A highly organised individual with meticulous attention to detail
• Proven experience in business planning, business risk and change management.  
• Experience in financial management
• An understanding of project scheduling and tools
• Excellent communication skills to liaise with team members, stakeholders and senior management.
• Collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and resolve conflicts that may affect schedules. 

Desirable criteria

• Desirable industry recognised project management qualification such as APM PMQ, or willingness to obtain on joining DMR.

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity: The DSA is strongly dedicated to promoting equal employment opportunity irrespective of your race, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, civil status, sex, or gender identity. Applications are strongly encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, and we are actively working to establish a diverse workforce across the entire organisation. We are delighted to announce that we are an Equal Opportunities Employer and that we recruit purely based upon the merit of each and every individual applicant. We pride ourselves on our commitment to ensure recruitment of the very best individuals and acquire a diverse and inclusive viewpoint to our decision making. We can assure you that we search for all types of talent and are striving to make sure that all social groups are successfully represented. We work diligently to eradicate any bias and safeguard every protected status and characteristic as lawfully required under the 2010 Equality Act. Our dedication to promoting diversity is clearly reflected across our organisation and within our vision to foster an inclusive workforce. Defence harnesses the power of difference to deliver capability that safeguards our nation’s security and stability.

• Hybrid working: we offer hybrid working with a current expectation to be working in Office for 40% of your working time. Hybrid working will be supported on an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of expected attendance in the workplace (at permanent duty station) and working from home to meet business needs and with management approval. 

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 : Stacey Anstey
• Email : Stacey.Anstey941@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.uk