Chief Inspector of Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB)

Department for Transport; Southampton; On-site; GBP 115,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK government department is seeking a Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents to lead investigations and promote marine safety. This role involves oversight of complex cases, publishing findings, and maintaining relationships with maritime bodies. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, experience managing substantial budgets, and the ability to represent the department in international forums. The position offers a competitive salary of £115,000 plus significant benefits including a generous pension and annual leave.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension

Generous leave entitlements

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in leading teams within maritime safety.
• Ability to represent the organization in international forums.
• Capability to manage a substantial budget effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Marine Accident Investigation Branch as the professional head.
• Exercise oversight of complex investigation cases.
• Publish high-quality reports and recommendations.
• Promote safety improvements in the maritime sector.
• Manage and develop a diverse team of professionals.

Skills

Leadership

Marine safety knowledge

Technical oversight

Public speaking

Team management

Education

Accredited marine accident investigator qualification

Full UK driving licence

Job description

Overview

Southampton, Southeast. Travel to other UK sites may be required as well as international travel. As a member of the SCS you will be leading teams working on a hybrid basis. The expectation is that you will spend over the 60% workplace attendance requirement of your time in the workplace. Some travel to other DfT workplaces may be required.

The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents is head of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and is responsible for investigating marine accidents involving UK vessels worldwide and all vessels in UK territorial waters. All accident reports are published under the Chief Inspector's authority, and they report directly to the Secretary of State for Transport on investigations. The Chief Inspector works closely with the Department for Transport (DfT) Director, Maritime, who line manages this post.

Key objectives

• To improve marine safety;
• To discharge the UK's responsibility for the independent safety investigation of marine accidents and incidents;
• To ensure that marine accidents and incidents are investigated in an exemplary manner.

Responsibilities

• Lead the MAIB as the professional head, providing expert advice to the DfT and the Secretary of State as required, and act as the principal public voice for the Branch.
• Exercise technical oversight of the most complex cases and determine the conduct and scope of investigations to meet national and international regulations.
• Publish the circumstances, findings, conclusions and safety recommendations arising from marine accident and serious incident investigations in high-quality, timely reports and guidance.
• Identify safety deficiencies in the maritime sector and promote improvements through recommendations for changes to regulations, requirements, standards and practices.
• Maintain strong relationships with maritime sector bodies and ensure sufficient detached objectivity to carry out MAIB’s functions.
• Represent MAIB and the UK in international forums, including the Marine Accident Investigators' International Forum, and support wider transport and maritime safety collaboration with domestic and international partners.
• Lead and motivate a team of around 34 staff and manage a budget of over £4.8m/year, building long-term technical and professional capacity while fostering a diverse and inclusive team.
• Undertake physical activities related to MAIB operations, including working in disrupted environments, confined spaces and boarding vessels by pilot or shoreside ladders; be prepared for potentially traumatic information and situations. Undergo an internal health check assessment prior to starting in post.

Training & Licences

• Unless already qualified, undertake training to qualify as an accredited marine accident investigator.
• Maintain currency in sea survival techniques.
• Hold a full UK driving licence.

Application details

• CV outlining career history with key responsibilities and achievements; include explanations for any gaps in the last two years.
• Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1000 words) demonstrating how your skills and experience meet the person specification criteria.
• Note: Failure to submit both documents may limit the panel’s ability to assess against the criteria.

Selection process

• Disability Confident Scheme candidates who meet the minimum criteria are guaranteed an interview.
• Assessments may include a Staff Engagement Exercise (presentation and Q&A). The assessments are to support, not determine, the interview outcome.
• Interviews will be conducted in person in our London office; shortlisted candidates will prepare a 5-minute presentation.
• Success Profiles will be used to assess experience and four behaviours: Communicating and Influencing, Seeing the Bigger Picture, Changing and Improving, Leadership, and Making Effective Decisions.

Offer, timeline & reasonable adjustments

Interview or assessment feedback will be provided to those who attend. The timeline below is subject to change: Advert closing date 4 January 2026; Shortlist w/c 12 or 19 January 2026; Assessments w/c 2 February 2026; Panel Interviews 11 February 2026. Reasonable adjustments are available on request; contact [e-mail] for assistance.

Benefits & conditions

• Salary: £115,000 per year plus Civil Service Pension with employer contribution of 28.97% (the Department for Transport contributes £33,315 towards the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme).
• Generous annual leave and bank holidays (25 days on entry, increasing to 30 days after 5 years, plus eight public holidays; King’s Birthday privilege day; pro rata for part-time).
• Flexible working and arrangements to support staff wellbeing, including maternity/paternity leave and childcare support policies, subject to policy terms.
• Onsite facilities (fitness centres and canteens where applicable).

Diversity, equality & inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to equality of opportunity and inclusion. We support Disability Confident Scheme and offer a Redeployment Interview Scheme for eligible civil servants. See Civil Service Diversity & Inclusion strategies for more information.