DSA-MAA Engineering Assurance Team Member

An exciting opportunity is now available for a Safety and Quality Management Systems professional to join the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) Operating Assurance Group (OAG). You will be working within a diverse and varied environment at the hub of a team focussed on analysis and assurance.

Our multi-functional team environment combines civil servants and military personnel to manage a portfolio of diverse Air System Delivery Teams (DTs) within Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) and external organisations responsible for safe Air System operation. This encompasses a broad range of innovative engineering approaches in support of military operations. As part of the team, you will be responsible for assuring their compliance to the regulatory framework, through surveillance, oversight, and audit in a risk-based assurance programme.

We offer a supportive working environment, excellent personal and professional development opportunities, and a diverse social and entertainment program throughout the year.

Development training will be provided on applicable regulation and auditing skills once in post. Further professional development opportunities are available.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Part of the Defence Safety Authority (DSA), the MAA is the organisation responsible for the regulation, surveillance, inspection and assurance of the Defence Air operating and technical domains. It ensures the safe design, maintenance, and use of military air systems. Through independent audit and continuous surveillance of military aviation, the MAA aims to provide the Secretary of State, the necessary assurance that appropriate standards of air safety are maintained whilst delivering operational capability.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Critically analysing the effectiveness of DE&S and external organisations in their airworthiness and safety management systems.
• Proactively engaging with other departments across the MAA and industry to plan forthcoming assurance activity.
• Collating supporting evidence to contribute to the MAA risk picture, briefing senior management on critical findings affecting safety.
• Attaining delegations in support of assurance activity in line with the team’s training and development policy.

You’ll be part of a team providing specialist engineering and logistics input to wider MAA assurance of Defence Aviation, in support of continuous improvement to Military Air Safety. As a self-disciplined team member, you will develop and sustain expert level knowledge of the Defence Air Environment (DAE), including the relevant regulations and policy.

You may need to travel to other locations within the UK for short period assurance activity.

Your responsibilities will include:

Primary:

• Seek assurance of compliance with the regulatory requirements set out in extant regulations.
• To align with and enforce MAA regulatory policy and contribute to its continuous development.
• Continuing improvement and development of MAA Regulation and procedures.
• Delivering assurance of Air Systems’ Airworthiness, Safety, and Integrity to ensure they are safe to operate in line with the MAA assurance plan.
• Leading the development and discussion of monthly Air System analysis by presentation to your team.
• Working collaboratively in partnership with other areas of the MAA to ensure coherent, effective and appropriate delivery of assurance.

Secondary:

• Providing appropriate advice, guidance and mentoring to DE&S safety staff in the interpretation and enactment of MAA Regulatory Publications (MRP).
• Reviewing artefacts, such as Airworthiness Strategies and Safety Management Plans, in support of assurance activity.
• Raising and managing findings including recommendations to approved closure.
• Identify and promote good practice in Air Safety across military aviation engineering communities.
• Throughout the review and inspection cycles, you are encouraged to both attend and lead on various regulatory meetings.

Qualifications:

Hold a minimum of a Level 4 (e.g. HNC) qualification in an engineering or science discipline, or be Engineering Council Registered Min: EngTech or can demonstrate equivalent relevant industry experience.

Experience:

Mandatory

• Experience of Air Safety Management and Quality Management Systems.

Desirable:

• Awareness and understanding of the UK Defence Air Environment.

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership

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

• Airworthiness ACS1 Core function which includes:
• ACS1.1: Defence Aviation Context – Awareness.
• ACS1.2: Air Safety Regulation & Policy – Awareness.
• ACS1.3: Air Safety Behaviours – Awareness.
• ACS1.5: Air Safety Assurance – Awareness.

The MoD Discover My Benefits page lists the full set of benefits. Some of the many benefits available include:

• Generous Pension Scheme. (Market-leading employer pension contribution of around 27%).
• Hybrid working will be supported on an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of expected attendance in the workplace (at a permanent workplace) and working from home to meet business needs and with management approval.
• ​Flexi-time scheme. (After 6-month probationary period).
• 25 days holiday entitlement a year rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service.
• 8 public holidays per year (in addition you will also receive one day for HM The King’s birthday).
• Ability to roll over up to 10 days holiday per year.
• Up to 6 days of paid leave a year for volunteering.
• Enhanced maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave schemes, offering 100% pay for 26 weeks (after a qualifying period).
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing.
• Learning and professional development tailored to your role.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

Access to Civil Service and Defence discount schemes which provide discounts on a range of goods and services, from insurance and mobile phone bills to days out and retail.

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

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/

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 fostering an inclusive workforce that harnesses the power of difference to safeguard our nation’s security and stability.

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.

The MoD 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) is not permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment. 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.

The post does not offer relocation expenses. Interview travel expenses will not be reimbursed.

Job contact :

• Name : Mr Shane Court
• Email : shane.court104@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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