Occupational Health and Safety Senior Advisor

Defence Equipment and Support; England; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK government agency is seeking an Occupational Health and Safety Senior Advisor to lead fire safety management and ensure OHS compliance. The role involves engaging with regulatory bodies, conducting reviews and audits, and supporting a positive safety culture. Candidates must hold a NEBOSH General Certificate and demonstrate experience in fire safety management. Competitive salary with comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Flexible and hybrid working options

Market-leading pension contribution

Annual performance-based bonus

Access to specialist training

Discounts and volunteering days

Enhanced parental leave schemes

Qualifications

• Demonstrate relevant work experience in a similar role.
• Experience of fire safety management.

Responsibilities

• Manage fire safety procedures and corporate requirements.
• Conduct reviews, audits, and ensure compliance with fire risk assessments.
• Support accident reporting, conduct investigations, and promote safety culture.
• Provide performance metrics for reporting and manage risk registers.

Skills

Fire safety management

OHS legislation compliance

Risk assessment

Communication

Influencing

Education

NEBOSH General Certificate

Job description

Overview

Job description for Occupational Health and Safety Senior Advisor

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE) team within the Corporate Services Group. As our Occupational Health and Safety Senior Advisor, you’ll help shape a safer, more compliant workplace, manage risk, and ensure alignment with statutory regulations, as well as DE&S and MOD OHSE policies. You will engage with regulatory bodies such as the Health & Safety Executive, Civil Contingency Teams, and the Defence Safety Authority, and will be empowered to challenge and influence senior stakeholders and suppliers to uphold safety standards with confidence and professionalism.

You’ll be a trusted advisor to the Head of Establishment and other department stakeholders, leading regular forums, creating space for collaboration and continuous improvement, and providing expert guidance on Occupational, Fire, and Health & Safety legislation. As the lead for fire safety, you’ll own related matters, acting as the competent advisor and ensuring the internal emergency plan is robust, up to date, and fit for purpose.

We champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (approximately 60%, 3 days per week) to promote face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance and business need. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourself with the site, the team, and your role.

What you’ll be doing

• Functioning as the site focal point for fire safety management by fulfilling corporate requirements, managing enquiries, and liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
• Conducting reviews, audits, and assurance activities to ensure due diligence against fire risk assessments and internal emergency plans.
• Supporting accident incident reporting, conducting investigations, and learning from experience.
• Assisting in embedding compliance with OHS legislation and regulations across DE&S including reviewing safety critical documentation while promoting a positive safety culture.
• Providing metrics for performance reporting and managing dashboard reporting and risk registers.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Hold a NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent level 3 qualification and demonstrate relevant work experience in a similar role.
• Demonstrate experience of fire safety management.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Core Behaviour 1: Communicating and Influencing – CSBC3
• Core Behaviour 2: Delivering at Pace – CSBC 3
• Technical Competence 1: Audit & Assurance (OHS) – Practitioner Level
• Technical Competence 2: Conducting Risk Assessments (OHS) – Practitioner Level

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,200, the Ministry of Defence contributes £10,197 towards Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension. Benefits include:

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day per year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Discounts and volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Further Information

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles – Civil Service Commission
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions
• Civil Service Code: The Code – Civil Service Commission

Any personal data provided during the recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Disability Confident

We are Disability Confident and will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you require adjustments, please indicate this on your online application under the section for reasonable adjustments.

Conflicts of Interest

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. Declarations will be discussed with successful candidates before a formal offer, to ensure compatibility with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in most cases, prevent employment, but mitigations may be put in place to manage potential conflicts of interest from day one.

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

• Pre-sift – We will check essential or eligibility criteria listed in the Person Specification. Please show on your CV how you meet the essential criteria.
• Sift – Your CV will be assessed against Key Achievements, Relevant Experience, and Applied Knowledge and Skills. Follow guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
• Interview – You’ll be assessed against the Sift categories, as well as Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification.

In the event of a tie, the Order of Merit will be distinguished by ranked criteria: Core Behaviours, Technical Competencies, CV Review, and Lead criterion if needed.

If you wish to complain about recruitment, contact the department via email: [e-mail]. If unsatisfied, you may contact the Civil Service Commission. Feedback will be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Ready to join us as an Occupational Health and Safety Senior Advisor? Apply now!