Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Fareham About the job Job summary Are you an exceptional leader with experience in command and control in an operational response environment? Can you build lasting relationships, influencing and directing stakeholders across all levels?? Do you thrive in a busy and varied environment where no two days are the same? If so, we are looking for a Network Commander 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 governments 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, Womens, LGBTQI, Race, Carers, Mental Wellbeing and volunteer Respect Ambassadors. Job description HM Coastguard (HMCG) is the operational arm of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency with responsibility for 6 key functions: Search and Rescue, Pollution Response, Vessel Traffic Management, Maritime Safety, Maritime Security and Emergency and Disaster Management. There are three delivery disciplines within HM Coastguard: Maritime and Aeronautical Operations, which coordinate activities from an operations room environment, and; Coastal Operations, which manages resources and service provision on the coast. Based in our office in Fareham we have a fantastic opportunity for a Network Commanders to join our dynamic team as part of Maritime Operations. You will be providing tactical leadership and operational oversight of the HMCG National Network across the UK. Reporting to the HMCG National Network Operations Manager, the successful applicants will provide guidance and direction to operational teams and dynamically manage a network of rescue coordination centres, ensuring that the most appropriate staffing resources are assigned to coordinate the best response to incidents across the United Kingdoms search and rescue region. The Network Commanders will maintain network oversight of staff activity, resources, resilience and technical capability, and plan and instigate business continuity arrangements as and when required, effectively and confidently leading and directing Coastguard operational teams. This is a rewarding role in a unique operational environment where every day brings a new exciting challenge with national responsibility. You will be constantly learning and developing, attending training to enhance your maritime technical knowledge to assist in making dynamic decisions around the safety of lives and seas. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Acting as the senior Coastguard officer (Maritime) on duty within the National Network, responsible for maintaining the link to on-call Strategic Commanders and other senior officers, including the preparation and presentation of relevant briefs as required. Continuously monitoring operational workload, performance and staff welfare across the network, anticipating and providing support to teams by dynamic network flexing and the assigning of remote operational specialists (Search Mission Co-ordinator (SMC), search planning, comms operator, etc.) Providing sound leadership, tactical direction and guidance to operational teams, including medium-and longer-term tactical planning and the coordination of resources and functions based on dynamic risk analysis, and identifying, reporting and responding to tactical and strategic organisational risks. Ensuring oversight of the HMCG National Network infrastructure, identifying and reporting technical hardware and software issues, undertaking impact assessments, instigating impact mitigations, and providing operational expertise to ICT helpdesk/engineers. Maintaining knowledge and currency of HMCG operational business continuity (BC) and disaster recovery (DR) plans, and coordinating the Network response during any planned or unplanned network disruption, including the implementation of appropriate BC/DR plan(s). Undertaking the role of HMCG Tactical or Silver Commander when required during national SAR and other maritime-related incidents, and when delegated or necessary, undertaking the role of HMCG Strategic or Gold Commander. For an in-depth insight into the role, please refer to the Role Profile attached to this advert. Person specification You will come to us with an excellent knowledge of command and control at a tactical level in an operational response environment. As a critical thinker you can make multiple decisions across a matrix of matters whilst remaining calm under pressure. You are a motivational leader who leads by example ensuring teams understand their role, responsibilities and business priorities. Your exceptional communication skills mean youre able to gather intelligence from various sources and interpret it to clearly articulate succinct operational, tactical and strategic briefs. Using your good judgement skills, you are able to assess complex and dynamic situations and make critical decisions confidently, based on sound rationale. You will thrive managing a varied and challenging workload and your fantastic organisational skills mean you are able to balance and prioritise tasks. This role would suit somebody who enjoys collaborating with others and building up strong working relationships in a career where you can develop your skillset and make a real difference for end users. Additional Information Please take note that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are currently unable to offer Skilled Worker Sponsorship Candidates must not have been dismissed by the MCA within the past 24 months for failure to pass the required training for operational posts within HM Coastguard. There may be a requirement for occasional travel to attend formal training events and this may require spending time away from home and the normal workplace. Periodic travel to the HMCG Business Continuity Suite in Southampton may be required to exercise or conduct business continuity or disaster response. Successful candidates will be expected to undertake a physical and mental health medical for this role, please see the attached document. Please note: This is a uniformed role and uniform will be required to be worn at all times when on duty. Please refer to the special features section on the role profile for further information. About Operational Delivery Profession (ODP) Operational Delivery Profession (ODP) is the largest and most diverse professional community across the Civil Service. Many of us will have an association with several professional communities or specialisms, ODP applies to all public facing roles / or a role that is primarily aligned to supporting the work of those with public facing roles. All critical to the delivery of UK public services. Licences A full driving licence valid for driving in the UK is required. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Developing Self and Others Seeing the Big Picture Making Effective Decisions Managing a Quality Service Leadership Communicating and Influencing Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Coastguard Framework - Emergency planning : 4.08 - Applies a knowledge of the role of Operational Command as used in major incidents, multi-agency incidents or exercises. Benefits Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance. Click here to get a copy of the MCA Staff Benefits Brochure Find out what it's like to work at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. How to Apply As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a CV and a Personal Statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Please provide a CV outlining your career history, and the key responsibilities you had in each of your roles. Within your CV and personal statement please demonstrate your: Experience and knowledge of command, control and management of teams in a response environment. Experience of preparing and delivering intelligent and succinct operational, tactical and strategic briefs. Experience of communicating with a diverse range of stakeholders at all levels. Your personal statement will be limited to a maximum of 750 words. It is essential when submitting your personal statement that you provide as much detail as possible, and utilise the full word count given, against the essential criteria outlined above as this will be used in conjunction with your CV to assess candidate suitability to move to the next round in the recruitment process. Sift and Interview Dates The sift is due to take place from 24th February 2025. Interviews are due to take place from 10th March 2025. This interview will be conducted face to face at one of our offices. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview. We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include: An interview. A presentation. A written exercise. Youre encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within. In addition, as part of your interview you will be assessed against Coastguard Framework. The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. 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 youre 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 dftrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk 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 DRGCommsdft.gov.uk 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 applicants 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. 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. 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. 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). Apply and further information 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 : Duncan Ley Email : duncan.leymcga.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : dftrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk 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: dftrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk 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 Attachments 20211015 MCA Annex C Health Standards 2021 HMCG Opens in new window (docx, 40kB) Role Profile Opens in new window (pdf, 501kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail