Maritime Safety and Designated Person Ashore Lead in Dover

Maritime Safety and Designated Person Ashore Lead

Locations: Dover, Fareham

Salary

£62,732 - £69,006

A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

HO - Border Security Command - Maritime

The Maritime Safety and Designated Person Ashore (DPA) lead provides strategic leadership for maritime safety across Border Security Command Maritime. The post holder will shape and deliver the organisation’s safety vision, supporting its ambition to be the UK’s leading maritime law enforcement authority while protecting the safety and integrity of the UK’s maritime borders.

The role supports the UK's only national law enforcement maritime capability. The work is high profile and offers a high degree of job satisfaction. This role will also see the transition to a new fleet over the next few years.

The successful candidate will be responsible for maritime safety governance, assurance and compliance frameworks that manage risk and improve operational performance. As a principal adviser to senior leaders and colleagues across Border Security Command, the post holder will lead cross-functional activity that embeds safety, quality and continuous improvement throughout operational delivery.

The post holder will ensure the safe, compliant and effective operation of government-owned vessels used for border enforcement, immigration control and maritime surveillance. They will provide strategic oversight of health and safety and environmental protection, ensure that maritime activity meets statutory obligations, and promote a proactive safety culture both ashore and at sea.

As the organisation’s Designated Person Ashore, the post holder will fulfil the key role identified by the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. Although Border Security Command Maritime operates under a government exemption, it voluntarily applies the ISM framework in recognition of its importance to safe and effective operations at sea.

The post holder will oversee the Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) in accordance with the ISM Code, UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency requirements, and Border Security Command operational standards. Acting as an independent link between vessel crews and shore-based management, they will monitor adherence to safety policies and operational procedures under national and international maritime regulations.

The successful candidate will be an experienced senior leader with detailed knowledge of maritime safety legislation, regulation and recognised good practice. They will combine sound professional judgement with strong operational leadership, stakeholder engagement and the ability to influence effectively at senior levels.

Essential Criteria

• Experience in a seagoing role or maritime enforcement environment
• Strong strategic leadership skills, with the ability to set direction, provide authoritative maritime safety advice and influence senior leaders.
• Detailed knowledge of maritime safety legislation, the ISM Code, MCA requirements, health and safety law, and recognised industry good practice.
• Proven ability to develop, implement and continuously improve Safety and Environmental Management Systems, governance arrangements and compliance frameworks.
• Excellent risk management and assurance skills, including leading risk assessments, safety audits, incident investigations and the delivery of corrective improvements.
• Highly effective communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with vessel crews, shore-based teams, partner agencies and external regulators.

Travel

There will be an expectation of some travel with over night stays with this role.

Licences

Due to the nature of the work, driving is a key requirement for this role. It is essential you hold a full valid UK manual/automatic driving licence at the time of application.

Qualifications

It is essential that you hold the required qualification(s) for this role at the time of application. Evidence of your qualification(s) will be checked during the selection process. Candidates who do not hold the required qualification(s) or are unable to provide evidence, will be deemed ineligible and withdrawn from the recruitment process.

Must hold the following qualifications:

ISM Internal Auditor Qualification OR equivalent/higher recognised ISM auditing qualification

NEBOSH General Certificate or IOSH Managing Safely

Designated Person should have a minimum of formal education as follows:

1.Qualifications from a recognised higher education institution in management, engineering, physical science or a related subject.

or

2. Qualifications and seagoing experience as a certified ship officer pursuant to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended

or

3. Other formal education combined with not less than three years practical senior level experience in ship management operations