Security Of Navigation Stabilisation, Advice and Training (SONSAT) Manager


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Details

Reference number

323490

Salary

£45,645
Further information can be found in the attached Document “Additional Pay Information”.
A
Civil Service Pension
with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer
B1

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

UKHO – Data Acquisition

Type of role

Defence Operations
Intelligence
Investigation
Knowledge and Information Management
Operational Delivery

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

Taunton

Job summary

The Defence Security of Navigation Stabilisation, Advice and Training (SONSAT) Manager plays a pivotal role within a challenging, rapidly changing maritime domain.  Within the context of HMG’s ‘Global Britain – the Integrated Review Refresh, the National Strategy for Maritime Security, UK Integrated Security Force and MOD’s Integrated Operating Concept 2025, they are required to manage UKHO’s unique range of expertise in global maritime domain awareness, understanding and influence.  

Reporting to the Defence Operations and Partner Engagement Manager, the post holder will be responsible for collaborative UKHO Safety and Security of Navigation (SASON) decision support on behalf of STRATCOM and other designated government departments’ programs relating to safe, secure, and sustainable seas.  Supporting national resilience and regional stability.  In accordance with UKHO’s Corporate Plan (Defence and Public Task) and JSP465 (Defence Geospatial Intelligence Policy). 

The post holder will also manage the SONSAT capability development of the Allied Worldwide Navigational Information System (AWNIS) outputs across the national and international SASON stakeholder community, including NATO (primary) and wider international (secondary) partners. 

Continuous engagement across the SASON stakeholder community is vital to ensuring HMG, OGD & UKHO Corporate Plan and strategic priorities are met. The post holder will be placed in a senior role within this community, requiring them to manage, lead and coordinate UKHO’s SASON decision support delivery. 

 

Hybrid Working

The SONSAT capability are in office for a minimum of 3 days per week.  Hybrid working is supported and coordinated through the management chain. 

There will be an initial period of 4 weeks training in office, there will be a period of continuation training of between 6 – 12 months, validated through a process of continuous assessment of the post-holder’s experience, knowledge, skills, and attitude. 

Job description

As SONSAT Manager you can expect to: 

  1. Manage SONSAT & AWNIS capability in accordance with MOD direction and UK StratCom’s Geospatial Requirements Group (GRG) process. 
  2. Responsible for the management of UKHO’s SASON decision support information hub (i-Hub), maintaining and reinforcing existing stakeholder relationships, identifying opportunities to engage more widely & effectively, building in resilience and sustainability to meet rapidly evolving maritime domain requirements
  3. Accountable for the delivery of UK StratCom’s Multi-Domain-Integration operational planning process at all stages (pre-deployment, deployment & post operations stabilisation) in the context of the Integrated Review sub-conflict environment – Freedom Of Navigation (FON) operations.
  4. Responsible for periodic capability review in line with end-user requirements. In accordance with Defence and wider HMG Policy, maintain currency and credibility by monitoring changing Maritime Domain Awareness / Integration / Understanding objectives.
  5. Manage the development of integration between UKHO and AWNIS operational capability providers to develop the sub-conflict ‘always on’ requirement to collect hydrographic SASON information / data using the AWNIS Navigational Information Cycle.
  6. Responsible for developing AWNIS doctrine (AHP-1 & 1.1) and associated publications to meet evolving operational requirements on behalf of GBR & NATO through engagement with the NATO Publication Working Group, RN Operational Advantage Centre / Maritime Warfare Centre / Joint Effects & NATO Shipping Working Group.
  7. Manage the standards for UKHO’s SONSAT incorporating AWNIS training outputs in accordance with MoD’s training policy

Person specification

Please note that we will only score against the sift and interview criteria and not the essential and desirable information below. 

The post holder will need: 

  • Direct Vetting clearance or capable of achieving such. 
  • An understanding of HMG PAG, Joint Defence, RN and NATO structures and organisations to include in-depth knowledge and experience of MoD & Intelligence Agency strategy & policy. 
  • Good working knowledge of current UK Defence & NATO Communications Information Systems (CIS) and Defence training policies. 
  • As strong team-work ethic & proven track record as a team player, manager & leader. 
  • Possess the confidence to prepare and deliver presentations up to 3* level and engage with senior civilian partners from international organisations such as the IHO & IMO. 
  • To be an expert AWNIS practitioner with detailed understanding of Maritime Safety Information Systems, such as GMDSS & NAVTEX. 
  • To be an experienced and proven Defence Training Manager. 
  • A detailed knowledge of World-Wide Navigational Warning Service (WWNWS) & Maritime Safety Information processes. 
  • To have experience of working with predominantly commissioned regular and reserve armed forces personnel. 

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 £45,645, UK Hydrographic Office contributes
£12,324 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

At the UK Hydrographic Office, it’s very important to us that our people feel valued.  

We offer a huge range of benefits such as training and development, well-being support, flexible/ homeworking, a fantastic state of the art building, high spec equipment, and so much more.  

See our attached Candidate Information Pack for more details. 

Selection process details

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

How to Apply:  

When you click “apply now” you will be asked to input your CV and a 250 word covering letter along with 250 words on each of the behaviors listed below. 

Timeline:  

  • Advert Closes for applications:  19/11/2023
  • Shortlisting: 22/11/2023
  • Interviews: 29/11/2023

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

Sift/Shortlist Criteria:  

All applications are processed anonymously. You will be short-listed against the following criteria: 

Civil Service Behaviours (Level 3): 

Interview Criteria:  

You will be interviewed against the following criteria: 

Civil Service Behaviours (Level 3): 

See here for further information: Success Profiles – Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)  

Process:   

  • Single Stage Interview at our Headquarters in Taunton, Somerset . You will be contacted to book a suitable slot if you are shortlisted (see our Candidate Pack for further information) 
  • Interview will be with a panel of no more than 3 people and will last approx. 50 mins 
  • As part of the interveiw process you may be asked to pre-prepare and present to the Panel to assess the Comminucating and Influencing and Seeing the Big picture behaviors. 

Onboarding Checks:  

In the event you are offered a role with us, you will be required to go through Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which will include Employment and Right to Work Checks. You will also need to apply for SC (Security Clearance), but you may be able to start your role before gaining this.Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms. 

Please note, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship. 
 

Nationality and Residency Requirements:

SC – reserved:This is a Ministry of Defence reserved post and open to sole UK nationals only. Successful applicants will require a security clearance (SC) and therefore need to have resided in the UK for a minimum of 12 consecutive months within the last 5 years. 

    Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

    Security

    Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
    Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
    People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

    Nationality requirements

    Open to UK nationals only.

    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.
    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 : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk
    • Email : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk

    Recruitment team

    • Email : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk

    Further information

    The Department’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment based on merit, open and fair competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, details of which can be found at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can further contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk or view more details at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

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