Radio Spectrum Lead

453531

£44,241

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Permanent

MCA – UK Technical Maritime Services

Engineering

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

1

Aberdeen, Liverpool, Southampton

Do you have experience of working in the radio spectrum field?

Would you like to play a key role in protecting and supporting the management of the UK’s maritime spectrum frequencies?

Do you enjoy engaging with a range of stakeholders and acting as a focal point for industry?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a Radio Spectrum Lead, based within the UK Technical Maritime Services (UKTMS) Directorate which has responsibility for developing, negotiating, and maintaining UK objectives and regulations relating to a wide range of safety and environment issues associated with ships and vessels of all sizes (from small pleasure vessels to the largest internationally trading ships). There is regular engagement with operational colleagues across the MCA, other Government Departments and other national Maritime Administrations, as well as industry stakeholders.

This role is in the Radio Team, which deals with the use and protection of radio spectrum; development and availability of technical standards for bridge navigation and radio communications equipment; and their appropriate application to installations on UK vessels. The work of the unit is primarily driven by ship requirements of; the Convention on Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS), Ch IV Radiocommunications and the ITU Convention (International Telecommunications Convention) and regional and national implementations.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it’s like working at: Maritime and Coastguard Agency – Department for Transport Careers

As the Radio Spectrum Lead, you will take a proactive lead in managing and developing UK objectives, regulations and guidance for the specific subject areas as directed, in support of UK government objectives for a safe and commercially successful UK fleet, supported by your own technical knowledge and the expertise of colleagues.

You will provide a focal point for your area of responsibility for liaison with stakeholders (internal and external) to ensure the MCA has an informed and balanced approach that meets the Government’s obligations, industry needs, and public expectations.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Representing the MCA for the development and management of radio spectrum, advocating for the protection of maritime frequencies, at internal and external meetings.
• Coordinating the dissemination and input from UK stakeholders and government organisations that may affect access to maritime radio spectrum and related services.
• Overseeing the assessment of applications for non-operational, coast station, licences and jamming exercises.
• Representing the MCA, and/or the UK, at internal, external and international meetings and working groups, including drafting and presentation of substantive papers.
• Contributing to, and where appropriate lead, the negotiation, development, implementation and management of objectives and regulation for the UK merchant ship regulatory framework.
• Providing a focal point role for industry and colleagues, maintaining a positive and proactive role with internal and external stakeholders .
• Drafting instructions for Government lawyers on UK objectives and coordinate impact assessments, including development of M-Notices, Safety Bulletins, Instructions to Surveyors and Advice Notes.
• Maintaining awareness of national and international political and policy context of radio spectrum. Handle technical and regulatory questions, providing advice to senior managers, government departments and Ministers.

For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only – whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Essential qualifications/licenses:

• A science/engineering degree or higher diploma in a relevant subject or equivalent; or experience in a specialism related to electronic communications or radio frequency design/engineering.
• A valid passport for international travel

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications/licenses at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

Required experience:

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Ability to apply scientific and technical knowledge, drawing on relevant experience.
• Ability to locate, understand and use data, evidence and advice from analytical, scientific and technical sources.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and proven ability to research and draft high quality documents using a range of different media.

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

This role requires UK and overseas travel, which will involve overnight stays and working outside of normal hours, potentially (although rarely) at weekends.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that we will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. Therefore, this role is not open to applications from those who require sponsorship – candidates must ensure they have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

A valid passport for international travel

A science/engineering degree or higher diploma in a relevant subject or equivalent; or experience in a specialism related to electronic communications or radio frequency design/engineering.

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together

Alongside your salary of £44,241, Maritime and Coastguard Agency contributes £12,816 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at MCA .

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

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. 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.

Job contact :

• Name : Helen Wentworth
• Email : helen.wentworth@mcga.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk