Deputy Defence Shipping Registrar (for the Defence Maritime Regulator)

UK Ministry of Defence; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 45,000; Full time

Job description

This role can be based at either of the DMR’s offices, which are at MOD Abbey Wood (Bristol) and HM Naval Base Portsmouth. If based at HMNB Portsmouth, there will be a requirement to travel to MOD Abbey Wood regularly. We operate a hybrid working model that allows you to work between home and on-site, giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work. We encourage you to discuss your anticipated working arrangements for this role with us during the recruitment process.

Job Summary

The Defence Maritime Regulator (DMR) within the Ministry of Defence has an exciting role for a naval architect or marine engineer. We are looking for someone with a strong maritime background interested in contributing to the regulation and oversight of Defence maritime activities. If you possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and enjoy collaborating closely across multiple partners in pursuit of excellence, then this may be the opportunity for you.

We are a part of the Defence Safety Authority, an independent body within the MOD. Empowered as an independent regulator for health, safety and environmental protection across the Defence maritime domain, we regulate, assure and enforce across a wide range of activities. This includes all activity conducted by Defence shipping, in Defence ports and harbour facilities, and for all diving in support of Defence activities. Defence shipping includes, but is not limited to, warships, submarines, landing craft and boats. We are also constantly looking at how new technologies and vessel types, such as autonomous vessels or with the involvement of artificial intelligence (AI), can be conducted safely and environmentally soundly.

As the DMR lead into acquisition projects, this role is a key link to the successful procurement of Defence maritime equipment. Ranging from warships and submarines through traditional acquisition routes; through fast paced technological procurements via novel routes and through involvement in the definition and categorisation of innovative technologies now and in the future. This includes the fast-moving areas of autonomy and AI which are vital strategic drivers in Defence. The Deputy Registrar will be essential to DMR continuing to support the speedy delivery of such operational capabilities.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

The successful applicant will lead the Registry Team within the Regulation and Compliance Section of the DMR. This team focuses on the registration of Defence shipping and activities. This post supports the Defence Shipping Registrar. We offer the opportunity for you to lead on the management of all shipping registration, involving significant liaison within Defence as well as engagements across wider Government. Internal to Defence this includes with the Naval Authority & Technology Group (NATG), Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) and Navy Command. External to Defence, this post will liaise regularly with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Key Responsibilities Of The Deputy Registrar Are:

1. Assisting, and deputising for, the Defence Shipping Registrar in leading on the registration of Defence shipping.
2. Managing the registration and documentation processes for ships and vessels.
3. Supporting the maritime acquisition community through early engagement with projects. This will include advising them on the development of their compliance and certification strategies.
4. Being responsible for the Maritime Register, which includes the Defence Shipping Register, ensuring it is populated, accurate and fit for purpose.
5. Developing and promoting the Maritime Register as a tool for handling compliance with DMR Regulations.
6. Managing maritime domain compliance with DMR Regulations.

These activities are key in supporting the DMR domain risk processes and assurance programme, thereby influencing the activities of the DMR Inspectorate.

There will be line management responsibility for the HEO Registry Support Officer.

DMR is committed to supporting the development of its personnel and will put together a package of training to enable the successful candidate to gain the skills needed to deliver this role.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate:

• Proven experience working as a naval architect or marine engineer – experience working in the maritime industry is essential (within Defence or explain how your skills are transferable).
• Formal qualification of at least Level 6 (bachelor’s degree level) in an appropriate subject is required; you may need to explain how your qualification is equivalent if this is not clear.
• Networking and stakeholder management skills – you will need to work with other teams and across Defence, so excellent communication and interpersonal skills are needed to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Independent working – you will need to have the ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks efficiently as the role is diverse and supports a number of DMR’s key outputs.
• IT skills – you will need to have strong skills with the Microsoft Office suite of tools, especially Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive.
• Memberships – you will have, or be able to achieve it within 12 months, the IEng as per the Engineering Council specification.

Qualifications

Level 6 qualification in marine engineering or naval architecture, or demonstrable equivalence.

Memberships

Professional registration of at least Incorporated Engineer (IEng) as per the Engineering Council specification or the ability to achieve this within 12 months.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Career Framework. GSE Technical Skills: Building and Applying Knowledge: Complying with Requirements/Standards

Alongside your salary of £44,950, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,022 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Ability to roll over up to 10 days leave per year
• In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The King's birthday
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing
• 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%

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. 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.

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.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

The selection process will consist of a sift of applications and those applicants who appear best suited to the requirements of the role will be invited to an interview. Please note that in the event of a high number of applications, an initial sift will focus on the Statement of Suitability and the Success Profile behaviour of Leadership.

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.

During the Application stage, candidates will be assessed against the following behaviours:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

During the Interview stage, candidates will be assessed against the following behaviours:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Interviews will take place face to face at the DMR Bristol offices; these are expected to take place in the first half of May 2025.

Job Contact:

• Name: Ms Penny Sykes
• Email: [e-mail]
• Telephone: [phone]

Recruitment team

• Email: [e-mail]