DFRS Group Manager - Navy Command Fire Safety Officer

Job summary

The Navy Safety Directorate acts on behalf of the Fleet Commander to deliver the Navy Command (NC) Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS). The Navy SEMS includes arrangements for Fire Safety ashore. Shoreside Fire Safety functions include reducing risk and protecting people from fire in Navy properties, and the protection of assets and outputs. The Command Fire Safety Officer for Navy Command (CFSO(Navy)) is appointed in compliance with Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Also, as required by Defence Fire Safety Regulations. CFSO(Navy) is the principal Fire Focal Point (FFP) and appointed subject matter expert for shoreside Fire Safety and provides guidance and policy to Navy Command on compliance with Statutory / Defence Regulations.

This position is advertised at 42 hours per week.

Job description

Primary Responsibilities

Provide independent advice, guidance, assurance and support to Navy Command's shoreside estate, including Establishments and Lodger Units, on compliance with their statutory obligations; especially regarding the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 / allied legislation and Ministry Of Defence (MOD) Fire Policy and Regulations.

Job Purpose - background and context

CFSO(Navy) is Navy Command’s Competent Person in accordance with the duties and responsibilities under Fire Safety Legislation. The position provides independent advice and guidance across Navy Directorates, which includes assurance and audits of compliance with statutory requirements and conformance with Defence regulations.

This includes close liaison with all affected parties, Defence Fire and Rescue (DFR) and Defence Fire Safety Regulator (DFSR).

CFSO(Navy) also highlights and progresses resolution of technical fire issues with DIO and their contracted service partners. Is the Navy Command sponsor of the Joint Business Agreement (JBA) with DFR.

Purpose includes independence and competence in Fire Safety Legislation and MOD Fire Safety Policy in respect of safety of people and asset protection, recognising the significance of fire safety in:

The mitigation of risk to life

Protecting operational capabilities and materiel

Mitigating the risk of uninsured financial loss to the Taxpayer

Mitigating the risk of financial costs to Navy Command from the provision of fire safety requirements

Maintaining Navy Command’s obligations to Partner Forces

Other regulated areas of safety such as Dangerous Substances and Explosive

Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR)

Providing assurance of fire safety

Specific Responsibilities

1. Deliver and maintain Navy Command’s Fire Safety Management System, including related policy and guidance documents to ensure compliance with UK Legislation and Defence Policy.
2. Provide independent advice, guidance and direction to Navy Command HQ, Establishments and Lodger Units on compliance with their statutory obligations, especially regarding the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 / allied legislation and MoD Fire Policy and Regulations. Includes advice and support to Establishment Focal Points (EFFP). Act as point of contact to Defence Fire Services, Defence Fire and Rescue, and contracted industry partners.
3. Conduct Second Party Audits of shore Units for compliance with Fire Safety Legislation and conformance to MoD Fire Regulations and Policy.
4. Conduct First Party Audits of fire related services provided to Navy Command and provide timely advice and guidance to units where there are significant risk to life or risk of loss of assets, capability or finical issues identified whilst undertaking any of your responsibilities.
5. Conduct sampling of Fire Risk Assessments (FRA) and monitor the delivery of the FRA process to ensure Navy Command is provided with the services and deliverables in accordance with business agreements and contracts.
6. Represent Navy Safety at fire related Working Groups and meetings as required.
7. Manage the Fire Safety promotion strategy and provision and delivery of information and advice utilising all means of communication that are appropriate to drive improvement of Fire Safety.
8. Act as Fire subject matter expert to safety investigations and in response to Enforcement Actions.
9. Act as the Navy Safety lead for DSEAR.
10. Attend fire-related Inquests as an expert witness, as required.
11. Support the collation and analysis of fire related occurrence data and recommendations from fire-related investigations.
12. Provide assurance (by visits) that Navy vessels and personnel are not put at risk when in undergoing refit or repair (particularly whilst under the control of Contractors) and where necessary issued guidance, direction and policy.
13. Advise on fire training of all military and civilian personnel employed within Navy Command and, where necessary, issue guidance, direction and policy.
14. Support fire-related aspects of any Organisational Safety Assessment (OSA) conducted by Navy Command or other external OSA that may impact Fire Safety within Navy Command.
15. Monitor, manage and amend fire related business agreements. Seek and provide independent assurance that DFR is delivering the full range of firefighting and fire safety services as agreed. Particularly:

• The performance and standards of the DFR in delivering services to Navy Command are maintained
• The performance of Fire Stations within the Navy Command are meeting the agreed performance indicators
• DFR is delivering the full range of firefighting and fire safety services (correct level of fire safety advice, operational fire cover)
• All Units and Establishments within Navy Command are provided with a Fire Safety Management Plan (FSMP) and FRAs for all buildings / facilities suitable for Navy Commands purpose, where shortfalls are identified in the production of the FSMP / FRA, take the necessary appropriate actions to address the shortfall

16. Provide expert input at Navy Command Safety Boards, Working Groups and meetings. Similarly, at Defence level and at external Statutory level meetings, e.g. Health and Safety Executive and Local Authorities.

17. Act as Line Manager to the Assistant Command Fire Safety Officer (ACFSO) (Navy).

If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by Resourcing Team 1. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at candidate@support.oleeo.com

Person specification

Eligibility - This is an in uniform DFR Group Manager post available to current competent Group Managers, current competent Station Managers on promotion or an individual who can demonstrate the correct Fire Service competencies and experience for this role (Military Equivalent – Flt Sgt/CPO/WO or higher).

Due to the safety‑critical nature of this role, the successful candidate must be able to start in the role within two months of receiving a formal offer of employment from DBS.

Licences

Full UK Driving Licence (must be held at point of application and be in date).

Qualifications

Minimum of Level 4 Certificate in Fire Safety
IOSH Lead Auditor

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,976, Ministry of Defence contributes £16,795 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD. https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/

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

This post does not offer any assistance with Relocation Allowances.

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.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process at application and interview:

• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• Technical Skills will be assessed at interview only (10 min presentation). The topic will be provided to those candidates successful at the sift stage.
  
  Evidence of licences and qualifications will be required at interview.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into 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.

The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and 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.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigation's can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

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 Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

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 (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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 theCivil 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.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 : Toni Vogel
• Email : toni.vogel100@mod.gov.uk
• Telephone : 03033885367

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam1@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Please see Further Information document attached.

Attachments

Further Information - External Opens in new window (docx, 34kB)Defence Civil Service Offer (5) Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)