Southampton
Job Summary
Have you worked in a role where you were the go-to person for administration support, customer queries, or coordinating tasks across departments?
Do you take pride in being organised, reliable, and able to juggle multiple priorities while keeping everything on track?
Have you supported companies or teams with claims, funding, or training programmes, especially in a public or maritime setting?
If so, we'd love to hear from you
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) implements the government's maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea.
Safer lives. Safer Ships. Cleaner Seas.
Our vision is to be a world-leading organisation, accelerating the transition to sustainable shipping with non-negotiable safety standards. We put our people, our customers and our planet at the heart of everything we do.
Joining Our Department Comes With Many Benefits, Including:
* Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
* 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King's birthday
* Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Read more in the Benefits section below
Find out more about what it's like working at MCA.
Job Description
We are looking for an organised and motivated individual to help deliver the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) Scheme — a vital government-funded programme that supports shipping companies with the cost of training cadets, officers, and ratings. As a key part of this high-profile scheme, you'll ensure smooth day-to-day operations by managing admin tasks, processing funding claims, and working closely with the SMarT Manager and Policy Co-ordinator to support the future of UK maritime skills.
Your Responsibilities Will Include, But Aren't Limited To:
* Monitor the SMarT inbox and answer queries, escalating when necessary
* Process SMarT Ship Approval requests
* Process and monitor SMarT Officer Training Payments and Self-funded Officer payments, check SDS entries and action queries
* Raise, monitor and resolve SMarT service requests for claims, access issues, enrolments and
* Run regular Power BI SMarT forecast reports and issue to the Training Providers and updated reports upon request
* Responsible for organizing the annual MCA Officer Trainee of the Year award
For further information on the role, please read the role profile
.
Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
We are looking for an organised and motivated individual to help deliver the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) Scheme — a vital government-funded programme that supports shipping companies with the cost of training cadets, officers, and ratings. As a key part of this high-profile scheme, you'll ensure smooth day-to-day operations by managing admin tasks, processing funding claims, and working closely with the SMarT Manager and Policy Co-ordinator to support the future of UK maritime skills.
Your Responsibilities Will Include, But Aren't Limited To:
* Monitor the SMarT inbox and answer queries, escalating when necessary
* Process SMarT Ship Approval requests
* Process and monitor SMarT Officer Training Payments and Self-funded Officer payments, check SDS entries and action queries
* Raise, monitor and resolve SMarT service requests for claims, access issues, enrolments and
* Run regular Power BI SMarT forecast reports and issue to the Training Providers and updated reports upon request
* Responsible for organizing the annual MCA Officer Trainee of the Year award
For further information on the role, please read the role profile
.
Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
Person specification
Required Experience:
To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
* You will be comfortable working in a fast-paced working environment and adaptable to changing priorities.
* The ability to prioritise and manage your own workload
* The ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders to obtain and pass information.
* Experience of using Microsoft products, Outlook and use of databases
*Additional Information
Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements*
Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.
Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least
30
hours per week.
This role
is suitable
for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.
The expectation at present is a minimum of
60%
of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.
If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).
Visa Sponsorship
Please note that we will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and
we will not sponsor a visa
. Therefore, this role is not open to applications from those who require sponsorship – candidates must ensure they have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Working Together
* Managing a Quality Service
* Delivering at Pace
* Making Effective Decisions
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
* Delivering at Pace
Alongside your salary of £26,607, Maritime and Coastguard Agency contributes £7,708 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:
* Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
* 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
* 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
* Access to the staff discount portal.
* Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
* Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
* 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
* Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
*How To Apply:*
Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's skills, and potential fit within our organisation.
The Selection Process For This Role Will Be:
Stage 1: Sift of CV, Personal Statement and Lead Behaviour. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Stage 2: Interview
You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 1: Sift
At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
Behaviours – you will be asked to provide a 250-word statement on the following Behaviour: Delivering at Pace.
Experience – You Will Be Asked To Provide a CV (unlimited Wordcount) And Personal Statement (750-word Count). Please Provide Evidence Of Your Experience Of The Following:
* You will be comfortable working in a fast-paced working environment and adaptable to changing priorities.
* The ability to prioritise and manage your own workload
* The ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders to obtain and pass information.
* Experience of using Microsoft products, Outlook and use of databases
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Success Profile element, Delivering at Pace. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The sift will take place week commencing 20th October 2025.
Stage 2: Interview
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
* Behaviours – (Communicating and Influencing, Working Together, Managing a Quality Service and Making Effective Decisions).
* Strengths
The interviews will take place week commencing 3rd November 2025.
This interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).
Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.
Further information on the selection process
Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
We will also hold a
12
-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.
AI Tools and Platforms
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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 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 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.
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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
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.
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.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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 : Lauren Terry
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email:
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