Length of employment:
Job Summary:
Are you looking for an opportunity to apply your technical skills in direct support of the Royal Navy (RN) front line? The RN Maritime Capability, Trials, and Assessment (MCTA) organisation is looking for diligent engineers, technicians and operators to join our highly professional team of Trials Engineers to go onboard ships in harbour and at sea, around UK and occasionally overseas, to inspect RN Combat Management Systems in readiness for operations worldwide. This role is an exciting one conducting inspections on the sophisticated Combat and Information systems in RN warships, from the Shared Infrastructure system, through to the OPNET system on T23 Frigates, T45 Destroyers and Queen Elizabeth Class. There are also opportunities to get involved in future RN ships and technologies, such as the new T26 and T31 frigates.
MCTA is a fast-paced team of Military and Civil Servants led by a Royal Navy Captain, who face a constantly evolving vista of work conducting assessment and assurance of equipment on aircraft carriers, warships, and smaller military vessels.
This role would suit applicants with a Above Water Warfare operator or technical background with an interest in maintaining standards in Combat and Information Systems and associated equipment, with opportunities to broaden into other equipment and systems assessed by MCTA. For external applicants, the post is available as a permanent Navy Command Headquarters (NCHQ) civilian position.
The position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job Description:
This role delivers the duties of an MCTA Trials Operator/Engineer Assistant for all relevant system related activities, including the maintenance of professional standards through training and development to deliver trials assessments as required by NCHQ, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and Naval Authority Technical Groups. This needs to be supported by the ability to work as a member of the Combat Management Systems (CMS) Team, good leadership and communication skills that have been proven in a team working environment. This is a challenging but rewarding role that also provides the opportunity for personal development and the ability to improve and progress your career.
Whilst based in Victory Building in Portsmouth, the role is required to visit other locations around the UK and on occasions abroad to conduct assurance visits and progress meetings. Weekend working and nights away at sea and in other locations may be required.
* 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 employer contribution of 28.97%
As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference.
Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.
Other benefits for Navy Command civil servants include:
* 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years' service plus Bank Holidays
* A very competitive pension scheme
* Personal & professional development tailored to your role.
* Access to a confidential, professional support service
* Discount schemes.
* Cycle to work scheme/season ticket loans.
* Enhanced parental and adoption leave.
* Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year.
In MCTA, we understand the everyday commitments both inside and outside the workplace, so our aim is to provide the flexibility to maintain a great work-life balance. We also offer an impressive range of on-site facilities including access to a gymnasium within the Naval Base, Café Neo coffee shop in Victory Building, a small local convenience store nearby, free car parking, and the option of membership of HMS NELSON Wardroom Mess.
In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.
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 by 31st December 2022. 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. 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 Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
To be capable of:
* conducting inspections as a professional operator/engineer with an extensive knowledge of the operation and performance of the systems relevant to the role.
* applying Combat System operation perspective to all trials.
* compiling trials related defect lists, discussing with the shipbuilder/refitting authority/Original Equipment Manufacturer/ship staff to establish content, priority, and liability.
* attending post trials meetings to assist in the agreement of responsibilities for defect rectification and outstanding trials, and to acquaint those authorities concerned with the assessment, conclusion, and subsequent actions necessary to complete those inspections and trials.
* leading and assisting in the compilation of Trials Reports on completion of trials, including proofing of section trial reports before sending for staffing.
* providing advice on trial contents and conducts to relevant authorities and ship staffs.
* conducting trials beyond the role's primary area in support of the wider Weapons Systems group (WS Group) on, once qualified, other systems covered by the Sensors Systems team including new systems being introduced into service, or (again once qualified) on other systems covered by WS Group.
* interacting with a wide range of authorities and personnel to resolve problems and ensure that current MOD policies are followed in the conduct of day-to-day business.
The post holder is expected to have an informed opinion on matters that affect MCTA and the Directorate as a whole and contribute to initiatives to improve the conduct and cost of business activities.
You will need to hold a minimum of NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience in the operation of RN Command Systems.
You will need to hold a Full UK Manual Driving licence and be willing to drive MOD provided vehicles.
The successful candidate must be medically fit to conduct trials at sea. An ENG1 medical is required but can be conducted on completion of a successful interview.
The successful applicants will ideally have, or be willing to work towards, developing their knowledge on all equipment associated with Combat and Information, SHIPHAZ, SONAR and RADAR Systems.
Security Requirements:
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Check. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.
Nationality Requirements:
Open to UK nationals only.
Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.
Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability (250 words max) showing your experience relevant to this role.
At sift, you will be assessed against your CV, Statement of suitability and the following Behaviours:
* Making Effective Decisions
* Communicating and Influencing
When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.
At interview, you will be assessed against the following Behaviours:
* Communicating and influencing
* Making effective decisions
* Leadership
* Changing and Improving
This vacancy will require selected applicants to attend an interview in Victory Building in HM Naval Base Portsmouth.
Your suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile elements that have been chosen for this campaign. Each element will be scored accordingly.
We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of gender and ethnic group. Appointment will be based on merit alone.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to Civil Servants who are at risk or redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Your application must be completed by 23:55 on the closing date of the vacancy. Late submissions cannot be accepted.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: .
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.