Royal Navy Devonport Naval Base Wharfmaster

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.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Flexible working is available by agreement with the line manager, but due to the nature of the role, candidates must be prepared to spend the majority of their time on site.

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 and a handy shop.

Job description

The Royal Navy is being called upon to adapt to an ever-changing geopolitical situation and be ready to face new challenges. The First Sea Lord is calling for the Royal Navy to increase its readiness for war. (First Sea Lord’s Warfighting Conference (Feb 2026).) And, the recent on-going events in the Middle East underline those challenges.

In Devonport, a critical role for delivering the First Sea Lord’s intent is that of the Wharfmaster. It is a demanding role. You will be expected to spend over 70% of your time out on a complex waterfront. Here you will interact with Senior Officers / Important People (Admirals and visiting Politicians), through Commanding Officers, to a cross section of an industrial work force. The minute-by-minute output will be to ensure that Defence gets the very best operational outcomes from the waterfront at Devonport.

There will be times when intense diplomacy will be required, balanced by gritty common sense. Moreover, you will be simultaneously expected to write briefing notes read by Senior Officers, whilst monitoring lifting (crane and fork-lift) operations, and drawing people and teams together to safely deliver in this complex and at times crazy environment. It this sort of description ‘tickles your interest’ then please get in contact / apply.

The remaining 30% of your time will be spend - for example - in meetings and/or associated administration tasks.

Bringing aspects of this to 'job advert life'; our Wharfmaster will be accountable to the DAS Manager (Ops) for the day-to-day management/oversight of wharfs and jetties. They will provide an expert layer of port operations safety management and supervision in this multifaceted environment. The Wharfmaster’s focus is on the shore-to-ship interface, including (but not limited to) specialist/technical knowledge and awareness of areas such as international catering waste, hazardous waste, jetty/wharf arisings, cranes, forklifts and mobile elevated platforms. The post holder has functional accountability to the DAS Manager (IC) to help ensure that contractors are meeting their contractual obligations with respect to this important area of the business.

The post holder will be the Authority’s SME and ‘on the ground’ focal point for all matters associated with the conduct of daily operations on the waterfront including – for example – jetty plans and waste management. The Wharfmaster regularly provides advice to a cross-section of personnel, including - for example - visiting Admirals and other VIPs, providing supporting back-pocket briefs to support such visits. And, as required support other areas of Defence, Navy Command, NBCD for the betterment of MOD outcomes.

Advise Commanding Officers and Senior Officers /managers on Naval Base matters that affect the Operational drumbeat. Represent HMNB Devonport at specialist conferences and/or meetings with external organisations. Build and maintain preparations for warfighting relations with other Naval Bases / dockyards.

To ensure that no one is put at a disadvantage during the recruitment process due to disability, condition or impairment, our intent is to reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate both during this recruitment process and in the role once a suitable candidate has been appointed. Therefore, if you feel you would wish to discuss any reasonable adjustment either as part of this recruitment process or if you were to be appointed in the role being advertised, please do so with the recruiting line manager.

On an advertised 37 hours per week (flexible working is almost essential to meet the operational (and tidal) drumbeat), it is a big ask.

Person specification

Some (but not essential) experience in the Royal Navy, (including – of course – the RFA and RM) would/could be an advantage; same same for an experience of working in Devonport as a Naval Command Civil Servant, or industrial partner. The key for success, however, will be your ability to communicate the purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm, and working together ensure that in these uncertain times Devonport is not found wanting. Time for settling in to the role may be scuppered by world events, so the new post holder will be expected to deliver quickly from joining.

Licences

Full UK Driving Licence.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 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
• An environment with flexible working options
• 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.

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.

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.

Applications will be sifted on all Success Profile elements, but in the event of a high number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted on your _________

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Personal Statement:

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.

At interview, you will be assessed against the following:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Seeing The Big Picture

Sift & Interview to be held at, or close to, HMNB Devonport, dates tbc.

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: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

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.

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 mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

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.

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.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

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 : malcolm.pollock187@mod.gov.uk
• Email : malcolm.pollock187@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.

Attachments

22_0656 Navy Applicant guide A4 - Digital (2) Opens in new window (pdf, 2922kB)Defence Civil Service Offer (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)Candidate Information (2) Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)