Navy Command - HMNB Devonport Integrated Command and Control Centre Watchkeeper

UK Ministry of Defence; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 45,000; Full time

Job description

HMNB Devonport, Plymouth, PL2 2BG

Job Summary

Devonport Naval Base is the largest Naval Base in Europe. It is a 650 acre site with 15,000 acres of water space, employing 12,000 people on site. The Base is primarily focused on delivering timely deep maintenance to the UK’s submarine fleet. It is also the operating home base for frigates, amphibious Ships, Royal Marines. It employs more than 10% of Plymouth’s workforce and contributes to 14% of Plymouth’s economy.

Devonport Naval Base is the nerve centre for the Royal Navy in the South West. It supports operations around the globe and provides the ships, submarines, people, and equipment to deliver the UK’s defence policy. Its mission is to meet the support and operating requirements for the Naval Service and UK’s allies, from the South West, reaching worldwide.

The unique opportunities offered within are varied, challenging and exciting and support Navy Command’s role to generate and operate forces for today and to ensure we are ready for tomorrow by developing and delivering the Navy of the future. Navy Command provides an open, flexible and supportive work environment and Civil Servants and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and challenging jobs in different disciplines, from finance; legal services; personnel and HR; project planning; operations and managing contracts, to media and communications.

The MOD provides an excellent opportunity to develop skills through personal development and offers flexible working, excellent annual leave and maternity allowances and a very competitive pension scheme.

In Navy Command we understand the everyday commitments both inside and outside the workplace, so our aim is to provide the flexibility to maintain a great work-life balance. We also offer an impressive range of on-site facilities including a gymnasium, tennis courts and other sporting facilities, a children’s nursery, food outlets, a handy shop, and some car parking.

This exciting opportunity is to be one of five Integrated Command and Control Centre Watchkeepers, responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the base.

This is a watchkeeping role and as such will require the successful candidates to work in a roster providing 24/7 cover to the base, which will take them outside of normal working hours regulations during the on watch period.

Job Description

The Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICCC) Watchkeeper’s primary purpose, as the Naval Base Commander’s joint tactical integration representative, is to provide initial response and assume command and control of any incident affecting the Devonport site. The ICCC Watchkeeper will run the day to day aspects of the functioning of the Devonport site, including, but not limited to oversight of safety, security and operations. The ICCC Watchkeeper will be on base (normally to be found in the ICCC) and contactable at all times of day and night every day of the year.

The ICCC Watchkeeper is responsible to the Operations Cell Manager for the day to day running and integration of all site activity and has the authority to suspend, prioritise and delay activity as required to achieve NBCD’s and broader site priorities.

The ICCC watchkeeper will maintain situational awareness of site activity to exercise NBC’s integration authority when activities might conflict to the detriment of safety, security or operational output.

To act as the Initial Incident Commander responsible for the safety and security of the Devonport site and personnel thereon for any emergency affecting those sites until relieved by the appropriate response Commander.

To act as the Initial Incident Commander responsible for the Devonport site as part of the Nuclear Emergency Response Organisation (NERO) and personnel thereon for any Nuclear Emergency affecting those sites until relieved by response Commander.

In the event of any emergency affecting the Devonport site, once relieved of Initial Incident Commander duties by the appropriate response Commander, to act in support of the Incident Commander.

Maintain an overview of base wide operations within NBC Devonport’s area to give the Base, Industry Partners and site units commands adequate notice of relevant events and incidents.

To support the MDP Shift Commander in the response to a Security Incident iaw Site Security Orders and relevant Operational Orders.

Lead the daily “O” Group, and co-ordinate the weekly Ops Planning Meeting and weekly 1* Brief. Chair the O Group in silent hours and at weekends.

Liaise with the appropriate Babcock day shift Engineering Supervisor or the Control Engineer out of working hours on all site significant infrastructure issues, in particular in determining the priority for defects on base security systems in silent hours iaw the BSyO/Babcock MOU on the subject.

Act as the gatekeeper for RPAS operations in EGR002 and over the Dockyard Port of Plymouth, including co-ordinating responses to requests for flights and granting authorisation as appropriate.

In the absence of BSyO/SYO deal with cases of security access referred to the ICCC Watchkeeper by MGS or host departments and civilian contractors based at HMNB Devonport. All requests for access must be documented and passed to Base Security on a daily basis.

Ensure that the NBC, DNBC and Base MOD Media Team are aware of any incidents or events that may (or have) attracted media attention.

Initially These Roles Will Follow a Period Of Training, Site Familiarisation And Development Of Standard Operating Procedures, With An Aspiration To Commence Watchkeeping 3 Months After Onboarding. The Watchkeeping Cycle Is Likely To Follow The Following Routine, But Will Be Developed In Conjunction With The Initial Incumbents In The Job:

3 12 hour day shifts

1 day watch leave

4 12 hour night shifts

6 days watch leave

This cycle will be repeated 5 times and then followed by a 21 day period off, which includes watch leave and annual leave. Periodically there will be a requirement to conduct administration days for mandatory training.

It is expected that the first incumbents of these roles will develop the watch rotation to ensure it meets the needs of the role and is compliant with MOD policy.

Rosters and watchkeeping bills can be reviewed by the MOD centrally.

The watch rotation will attract a shift allowance.

Person specification

The ideal candidates for these roles will have extensive experience of working in high pressure environments and be able to prioritise competing requirements to make rationale decisions to support the output of the base and ultimately defence.

Candidates for this role must have experience of building relationships with and managing the expectations of multi agency stakeholders as the role will require this on a day to day basis, liaising with MOD Lodger Units, Site Business Units and the main Industrial Partner as well as varied off site agencies.

You must be able to demonstrate problem solving ability and the vision to enable activity, looking for opportunities to deliver and meet NBC's aim.

Successful candidates will have a demonstrable record of delivering results through drawing on the strengths of those working with them, who they do not have line management responsibilities for.

A background in Defence is desirable, but not essential, but candidates must demonstrate a knowledge of strategic defence aims in order to be able to successfully carry out this role.

Successful candidates will have to demonstrate strong communication skills in a variety of mediums.

A background in emergency incident management is highly desirable.

The initial period in this role will be on site training and establishing the ICCC, so candidates must be able to evidence working unsupervised within their delegations and using their initiative to develop solutions.

Qualifications

Level 5 qualifications or above are desirable. Recognised project and change management qualifications are desirable.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Alongside your salary of £44,590, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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.

An opportunity to be considered for Reward and Recognition - £250-£5000 per year.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

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.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Selection process details

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

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. (500 - Word count)

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV and Statement of suitability and the Civil Service Work Strength Test.

At Interview, You Will Be Assessed Against The Following:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Sift and Interview at HMNB Devonport - Dates are to be confirmed.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: [e-mail].

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. See our vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. See our vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

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.

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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

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

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

• Name : Jonathan Goulder
• Email : [e-mail]
• Telephone : [phone]

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]