Head of Navigation

Head of Navigation

Ref: 382661

Salary: £54,857 - £60,419

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Location: Southampton

Closing date: 11:55 pm on Wednesday 15 January 2025.

Job summary

Are you an experienced Master Mariner interested in leading the development of the UK’s navigation safety policy?

Do you want the opportunity to be a major player in the maintenance of navigation safety within UK waters, and the UK’s contribution to international legislation at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)s.

Would you like to be in charge of setting the direction for navigation in response to changes in navigation technology and systems?

If so, we are looking for a Head of Navigation to join us at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and 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.   

We are committed to giving all our colleagues purpose, professionalism and pride in what we do. We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams.

We want everyone to feel valued and supported to achieve their potential at MCA.

This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks groups covering, Women’s, LGBTQI+, Race, Carers, Mental Wellbeing and volunteer Respect Ambassadors.

Job description

What is the Navigation Safety branch?

Technical Services Navigation Branch (TSN) is part of UK Technical Maritime Standards Directorate within the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Navigational safety supports the Government's maritime strategy for 'Safer Ships and Cleaner Seas' by ensuring high standards of marine safety and marine environmental protection through the development, implementation and monitoring of a consistent standards for UK navigation and radio-communication matters. This primarily covers SOLAS Convention Chapters IV and V (Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974); the COLREGs Convention (The Merchant Shipping (Distress and Prevention of Collisions Regulations 1996); associated EU legislation and the ITU Convention (International Telecommunications Convention).

The Navigation Team (which the Head of Navigation leads) sits within TSN and has particular responsibilities around SOLAS V & COLREGS, Marine Licensing, Offshore Renewable Energy Installations licensing, the Port Marine Safety Code, Categorisation of Waters, and Vessel Traffic Management.

What is the purpose of the Head of Navigation?

The Head of Navigation (HoN) is regarded as the specialist navigator within TSN and, as such, the primary source of knowledge on key marine navigational matters.

They are an integral part of the top-level management structure within TSN responsible for leading the Navigation Team and thus ensuring a positive contribution towards the Branch, as well as Directorate and Agency business plans.

In consultation with the Assistant Director (Tech Services Navigation), the post-holder is responsible for overseeing and prioritising relevant work-streams, allocating resources and tracking progress to ensure successful business outcomes.

The post-holder is also responsible for leading a team of operational standards managers and standards advisors in their work to develop and implement a consistent blend of statutory and non-statutory marine navigational policies, activities and casework, to support delivery of TSN's input to the UKMS Strategy Implementation Plan and MCA Business Plan.

The Head of Navigation is the lead in tracking and analysing developments in the field of maritime technology and determining the implications for branch standards making. This role will be carried out collaboratively with other elements of the Directorate to ensure an effective and smooth response to rapid technological change.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• The HoN is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of standards in respect of the following key business areas:
• As line manager, the Head of Navigation, shall work with and support the Ports and VTS standards holder (the Ports/VTS Standards Manger) in their execution and direction of the Ports and VTS Standards areas, specifically
• As the specialist navigator within the TSN, act as a focal point and contact for internal and external customers by giving advice and guidance on key marine navigational matters - engaging with various stakeholders such as marine surveyors, HM Coastguard, other Government organisations, maritime industry, the public, Classification Societies, other Flag and Port State administrations and research and development bodies.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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.

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 is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact: Richard Bell, richard.bell@mcga.gov.uk

Recruitment team: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk