Principal Inspector of Marine Accidents
Department for Transport
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 12th May 2024
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Operational Delivery
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About the job
Job summary
We recognise the challenges that people with protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Would you like to make a difference to safety at sea?
Are you an experienced professional within the Marine Industry?
If so, then this is the perfect role for you!
Job description
Based in Southampton, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is an independent organisation within the Department for Transport. The Branch is responsible for investigating accidents and incidents involving UK vessels anywhere in the world, and any vessels within UK territorial waters, with the aim of improving the safety of life at sea and the avoidance of accidents in future. The Branch is not responsible for apportioning blame or liability, nor does it enforce laws or carry out prosecutions.
The MAIB comprises 39 specialist and administrative staff. Inspectors are divided into four teams each headed by a Principal Inspector.
As a Principal Inspector of Marine Accidents, you will be responsible for supervising a multi-disciplinary team of inspectors carrying out investigations into marine accidents. You will also be a member of the senior management team, contributing to the formulation of policy and the development of the Branch.
Responsibilities
- Acting as duty co-ordinator and the Branch’s initial point of contact for out of hours accident notifications within a 4-week cycle; leading and managing a team of specialist accident investigators.
- Deploying to accident sites, at short notice during duty weeks, to manage the more demanding investigations; this could include travel worldwide.
- Directing the progress, conduct, and quality assurance of investigations, the development of recommendations, and overseeing production of the report.
- Dealing with individuals and organisations involved in marine accidents in what can often be stressful situations.
- Representing the Branch at industry fora.
- Contributing to MAIB's wider management strategies.
For more information, please see the attached Role Profile.
Person specification
To thrive in this role, you will
- Possess Senior Management experience at sea or ashore.
- Have the confidence and technical background to enable you to tackle accident investigations involving vessels of all types.
- Hold project management skills with a proven ability to plan and prioritise to meet challenging timescales in a dynamic environment.
- The ability to be able to assess and analyse data from various sources, and able to recognise when external expertise is required to make progress.
- Have strong leadership skills, with the ability to create strategies and plans, to give clear direction, and to motivate staff.
- Have excellent written and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to write clear, logical and persuasive reports.
Additional information
In accordance with current DfT requirements, a minimum of 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace, although requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another DfT workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance.
Due to the nature of MAIB operations, the successful candidate may be exposed to information and material including imagery (video and photographs) which may be distressing. They may also be required to speak with potentially traumatised accident victims, bereaved family members and witnesses. It is essential that candidates take these requirements into consideration before applying for the post.
Applicants will be required to participate in a wellbeing and traumatic stress risk review and online personality questionnaire in advance of their formal assessment. This risk review is not a formal assessment and will not decide whether you progress to interview. The risk review will include a short questionnaire which is followed up by a short telephone call with a psychologist. Potential applicants are welcome to contact the MAIB for further information (contact point below).
Licences
Qualifications
(This is taken to mean any of: experience in command or as the senior engineer afloat, or senior management in role ashore; industry experience as a naval architect; or experience as a marine accident investigator):
o STCW 95 A-II/2 (Deck) Unlimited.
o STCW Deck Officer (Fishing Vessel) Class 1 Certificate of Competency.
o STCW III/2 (Engineering) Unlimited.
o Chartered Engineer status as a Naval Architect.
o A Post-Graduate Certificate or higher in marine accident investigation.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Written Communication - (Accident Investigation Competence)
- Applying Expertise & Technology - (Accident Investigation Competence)
Benefits
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.
Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV and Personal Statement (1000 words). Please tailor your CV to suit the role. For your Personal Statement, please provide detailed evidence of the following:
- Senior Management experience at sea or ashore.
- Project management skills with a proven ability to plan and prioritise to meet challenging timescales in a dynamic environment.
- Ability to assess and analyse data from various sources, and to recognise when external expertise is required to make progress.
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to create strategies and plans, to give clear direction, and to motivate staff.
After submission of the first stage of your application (personal details) you will be invited to complete Civil Service verbal reasoning and judgement tests. If you successfully pass these tests, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application (CV and Personal Statement).
If your application is successful you will be invited to an interview.
Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests and submission of the full application is 23:55 on 12th of May 2024. If you fail to complete the online tests and the Personal Statement before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the tests will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
The sift is due to take place from the 13th of May 2024.
Psychological Trauma Risk Reviews and Online Personality Questionnaires will take place from the 27th of May 2024.
Interviews are likely to be held from the 3rd of June 2024.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
- An interview.
- A presentation.
- A written exercise.
This assessment will be conducted face to face at our Southampton office. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.
The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
Full time only
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Pre-employment Checking
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, DfT is committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Mike Travis
- Email : Mike.Travis@maib.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here
