DSA DMR Principal Inspector Submarines

The Defence Safety Authority (DSA) is responsible for the regulation of Defence Health, Safety and Environmental Protection (HS&EP), 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 followed and the policy on HS&EP in Defence is being promoted and implemented. This regulation is achieved through proportional and appropriate evidence-based assessment of the activity that supports the Defence’s operational imperatives. The DSA hosts Defence safety and environmental regulators across all operating environments and incorporates the Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB) and a HQ within a single independent organisation led by a 3* military officer.

The Defence Maritime Regulator (DMR) Vision is to provide high-quality safety and environmental protection across the Defence Maritime Domain through assurance, regulation and enforcement to support the generation of operational capability. The DMR Mission to protect people and the environment from harm arising from Defence Maritime Activity. This allows DMR to provide the SofS for Defence the required assurance that appropriate standards of Maritime HS&EP are maintained and delivered across Maritime Activities.

DMR consists of four teams:

• Regulation and Compliance (R&C) – responsible for developing and maintaining the HS&EP regulations and associated documents, monitoring compliance across the Maritime Domain, managing the Defence Legislation Support Tool (DLST), the Defence Shipping Register (DSR) and the Maritime Activities Register (MAR).
• Executive and Enabling – responsible for management and analysis of regulatory information, tools and business planning.
• DMR Inspectorate (divided into two Grade 7 areas of responsibility) – responsible for third party assurance of Maritime Activities. This includes Defence Shipping, Ports and Harbours, and Diving. Assurance of the Maritime component of the Defence Safety and Environmental Management System through audit and inspection of Accountable Person organisation and arrangements, and regulatory compliance.

The two Inspectorate Team:

• Shipping: provides third party assurance of Shipping and Diving within Defence through regular engagement and programmed audits.
• Maritime Services: provides assurance of all other activity within Defence, including ports and harbours and boats, through regular engagement and programmed audits.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week

This is a Marine Services Officer Grade 1 (MSO1) retained grade post based in Bristol or Portsmouth within the Inspectorate (Shipping and Diving) of DMR within the DSA.

This is an exciting, unique opportunity for a suitably qualified and experienced person to join a dynamic team. The role will be responsible for leading assurance activity across the entire submarine enterprise, from acquisitions, in-service operations to submarine disposal. The successful candidate will have extensive experience of the submarine enterprise and deliver advice , guidance and assurance information to all levels of the Defence Maritime Domain, including to both civilian and military Senior Management.

The post holder will need to be a proven self-starter capable of acting independently, able to communicate effectively both verbally and written.  Also capable of interacting at all levels in both a commercial and military context to build relations with key stakeholders.  There will be huge opportunities for the successful candidate to grow their experience in safety and environmental management and/or assurance within the Defence maritime domain. The successful candidate will work in the Defence Maritime Regulator (DMR) Inspectorate Team as an Inspector.  Travel around the UK and sometimes overseas will be required. 

Line management responsibility is expected of this post. The successful candidate will need the ability to work effectively in a team and take ownership of their own tasks driving them to completion, whilst maintaining relationships across the DMR, DSA and the Regulated Community. The successful candidate is expected to hold an SC Security clearance, however should meetings or engagements require additional clearance as this role develops then the candidate should be aware of a potential need to achieve Developed Vetting. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• To Deliver against the DMR Audit programme;
  • Generate relationships, routes to gathering assurance and providing exert insight into the Submarine Domain.
  • Generating and delivering audit activity, and input into DMR’s assurance processes as the leading expert on Submarine safety within DMR.
  • Supporting Inspectorate audits as directed by the DMR Management board.
  • Gather regulatory intelligence within the maritime domain to assist in the development of the audit programme;
• Support DMR in assuring the Defence Maritime Regulator that Duty Holders have in place safety systems as part of a safety and environmental management system that delivers compliance with DMR Regulations.
• Maintain an environmental protection focus.
• Make recommendations to DMR senior management team on subsequent courses of action.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Identify potential improvements in maritime safety and environmental protection, drawing on evidence from assurance of stakeholders, accident and incident investigations, trend analysis, benchmarking against other organisations and stakeholder feedback.
• Support the development of DMR processes.
• Promote the spread of good safety and environmental practices from other domains and organisations.
• Provide advice and guidance on the interpretation of policy and general safety and environmental protection and provide advice to Accountable Persons and their departments (where this does not compromise the independence of the team).
• Answer Parliamentary or Freedom of Information Act questions.
• Investigate serious events as directed by the Maritime Regulator.
• Support other areas of the team where necessary.
• Contribute to Learning from Experience (LFE).

If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by Resourcing Team 1. 

If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at candidate@support.oleeo.com 

Essential skills:

• Minimum of five years’ experience within the Submarine domain.
• Experience of Submarine Engineering or Operations, and Submarine Safety.
• Experience of audit and/or assurance processes.
• Safety and environmental protection knowledge.
• Working with stakeholders external to your business area/organisation.

Mandatory Qualifications:  On entry, maritime professional staff joining as an MSO1 Retained Grade must have at least one of the qualifications: 

1) Maritime Coastguard Agency Recognised STCW II/2 Master unlimited certificate of Competency; or

2) MCA Recognised STCW III/2 Chief Engineer unlimited Certificate of Competency; or

3) RN Ship Command Qualifications or Engineering Equivalent; or

4) Degree or Equivalent in; Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Marine Technology or Port Operations.

5) Qualifications in support of Shipping or Port Operations or Maritime Engineering

1) Maritime Coastguard Agency Recognised STCW II/2 Master unlimited certificate of Competency; or

2) MCA Recognised STCW III/2 Chief Engineer unlimited Certificate of Competency; or

3) RN Ship Command Qualifications or Engineering Equivalent; or

4) Degree or Equivalent in; Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Marine Technology or Port Operations.

5) Qualifications in support of Shipping or Port Operations or Maritime Engineering

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

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

• HS&EP functional competency; Inspection, Audit and Assurance
• HS&EP functional competency; Hazard and Risk

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

This post does not offer any assistance with Relocation Allowances. 

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. 

Discover My Benefits 

Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD. 

https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/ 

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.

Job contact :

• Name : William Langton
• Email : dsa-dmr-group@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam1@mod.gov.uk