
King's Harbour Master
Job summary
Operating under Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC), the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) mission is to deter military aggression against the South Atlantic Overseas Territories, to protect the Falkland Islanders’ right to self determination and reassure the local population. BFSAI also has operational responsibility for Ascension Island Base.
This role is responsible for the BFSAI Military Port Facility (MPF) under Falkland Islands Law, and for logistic maritime resupply movements, including responsibility for the South Atlantic Patrol Vessel support functions. The role operates in accordance with the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) and Defence Maritime Regulations (DMR), while being directly responsible to Commander British Forces, the Port Duty Holder.
Responsibilities are underpinned by robust assurance and compliance systems and marine safety documentation. The KHM is the lead for Single Point Mooring fuel buoy marine operations, Pollution Control and Marine Environment Protection, MPF Explosive Licencing and Equipment Care. The role includes civilian and military staff management, marine contracts Designated Officer, tug crew support and welfare, pilotage licencing and port infrastructure. Assurance visits to Ascension Island, to provide maritime SQEP, may be required.
The MPF has two ocean-going tugs provided under contract; the MOD-chartered Falkland Islands Resupply Ship calls regularly. An Ocean Tanker for bulk refuelling calls every six months. Additionally, the MPF receives the Ice Patrol Ship and British Antarctic Survey ship throughout the austral summer.
KHM is the liaison between BFSAI and the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) and Falkland Islands Maritime Authority (FIMA) for all port safety policy and port authority development. The MPF must be prepared to receive other vessels as required and is the key hub for resupply and reinforcement in the event of a crisis in the South Atlantic.
While the KHM role and tempo of the MPF is not directly comparable with a UK Naval Base, the requirement to achieve regulatory compliance remains the same, with the MPF subject to compliance audits from Capt Port Operations and Defence Maritime Regulators. Additionally, the Joint nature of BFSAI, the remote location and climate bring challenges to the port and this role. Future aspirations for the Port include exploring options for collaborative projects with interested partners, infrastructure upgrades and more exploitation of commercial opportunities.
This is a high profile and rewarding job offering excellent career development opportunities through working in a key operational location, delivering outcomes in a challenging environment and supporting Defence and wider UK Government objectives.
Job description
To be the Harbour Authority within the limits of the Falkland Islands Naval Port Ordinances 1987. To be the SEO/OF4 responsible for the safe control and operation of the MPF, the safe navigation of all ships and craft, and for the implementation of the PMSC, to achieve the objectives defined in the Guide to Good Practice. KHM has direct Line Manager responsibility for the Deputy King’s Harbour Master (DKHM) and is 2RO for a locally employed civilian Port Services Officer. As OC JMSU, KHM has responsibility for approximately 34 military staff.
To maintain a comprehensive Marine Safety Management System.
To direct the definition and marking of navigable channels within the Naval Ordinances of the port, and shore based navigational lights and marks, by applying the principles of a Competent Harbour Authority.
To manage and direct operations within the limits of the Naval ordinances the port.
To direct the operations of the pilotage service.
To continually develop the MPF to ensure it operates in an efficient, effective and economic manner.
To liaise with the FIG and FIMA for all matters concerning marine safety policy and port authority development.
KHM is accountable through the Port Duty Holder to the Secretary of State for Defence for the implementation of the PMSC and is in charge of the Marine Safety Management System.
KHM exercises full authority over all users of the port to ensure that the provisions of the
Falkland Islands NPO (1987) and other relevant legislation and orders are met.
KHM exercises managerial authority over:
DKHM post, and the EO (LEC) Support Role.
460 Port Troop, to the extent necessary for the safe delivery of marine services in support of waterfront activities.
Forward Support Unit (FSU) to the extent necessary for the safe delivery of marine services in support of waterfront activities.
Contracted navigational pilots.
Contracted tug services.
The Port Safety Steering Group.
Contractors working within the confines of the MPF, to the extent necessary to fulfil the operational and security outputs of the Naval Port.
KHM has direct liaison authority with:
HQ BFSAI SO2 Maritime for the safe implementation of movements and berthing plans.
Other services and civilian authorities, necessary for them to achieve their purposes.
KHM has responsibility to the following committees:
Port Safety Steering Group.
As a member of FIMA: National Oil Spill Committee, Hydrographic Working Group, Maritime Compliance Steering Group.
Other ad hoc boards and committees by invitation when required.
The principal tasks of the KHM are:
Enforcing the provisions of the Falkland Islands NPO (1987), continued implementation of the PMSC and the Guide to Good Practice.
Superintending movements within the Naval Port Ordinances to meet the Port Duty Holder and MOD safety requirements.
Directing the navigational pilot service in conjunction with the Chief Pilot, including assessing and authorising of new and existing pilots and control measures where necessary.
Allocating and controlling reserved areas where appropriate.
Directing the removal of vessels, neglected vessels, wrecks and other obstructions to safe navigation.
Authorising the position of mooring or anchorage areas.
Exercising control over military exercises, aquatic sports and recreational activities within the confines of the Port Ordinances.
Directing the positioning of buoys and navigation aids for MOD purposes.
Directing mooring and salvage operations affecting the safety of navigation within the Port Ordinances.
In conjunction with SO2 Maritime, issuing Local Notices to Mariners and navigation warning messages to meet relevant orders and legislation.
Command and control of oil spill countermeasures on the water.
To act as incident commander for emergencies within the Port Ordinance domain
Liaise with Commanding Officers of all visiting military and commercial vessels.
Liaise with FIMA on all safety related issues and hold joint safety meetings.
Undertake line management, mentoring and countersigning tasks as required by the role. This role has 4 direct reports and 7 countersigning roles.
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
The following qualifications are desirable
Port Marine Safety Code Duty Holder Certificate
MCA Level 5P Commanders Oil Spill Certificate
International Harbour Masters Diploma or Harbour Masters Certificate Qualification or IDG Harbour Masters Training
RYA Powerboat Level 2 or higher
IMDG Code training / MOD GAER Qualification
Accident Investigation Training
IOSH Managing Safety in Ports
Essential Qualifications:
The successful applicant must have sufficient marine and port experience to fulfil this role. They must hold one of the following qualifications:
• STCW II/2 (Master/Chief Mate unlimited)
• RN CQ2
Essential Experience:
Previous experience working in a Port at a managerial level and either hold or have commenced work towards your Harbour Master Diploma / Certificate.
Essential Licences:
A valid UK Manual Driving Licence. (Licence must be held at point of application and be in date. Evidence will be asked for an interview)
Licences
A valid UK Manual Driving Licence. (Licence must be held at point of application and be in date. Evidence will be asked for an interview)Qualifications
The successful applicant must have sufficient marine and port experience to fulfil this role. They must hold one of the following qualifications:•STCW II/2 (Master/Chief Mate unlimited)
•RN CQ2
Evidence will be required at interview.
All qualifications, licences or memberships declared must be held at point of application and if applicable be in date. Equivalents will not be accepted.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- KHM 1 - Port Safety
- KHM 2 - Port Marine Safety Policy
- KHM 3 - Legislation
- KHM 5 - Incident investigation
- KHM 8 - Conservancy
- KHM 9 - Management of other marine activities
- KHM 10 - Port Emergencies
- QHM 11 - Manage the port marine environmental status
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).This post attracts the following allowances and benefits:
- Maritime Market Skills Supplement
- Cost of Overseas Living Allowance
- Operational Deployment Allowance
- Accommodation (according to individual circumstances)
- Annual return flights to the UK and Chile
- The successful candidate may be eligible for Education/Schooling Allowance
Mount Pleasant Complex also offers a wide range of recreation facilities including gym, swimming pool, go-carting, indoor climbing, indoor driving range, shops, and cafes.
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/
This post offers full relocation allowances subject to availability. Cost of Living Overseas Allowances is payable based on personal circumstances and marital status.
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, Experience and Technical skills.This vacancy is using Success Profiles (open in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
Candidates should provide a CV outlining their Job History, Previous Skills and Experience. As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement, of no more than 1000 words, the purpose of this is for you to showcase your relevant skills and experience and give examples of how you fit the requirements of the role.
The sift will be conducted on your personal statement and technical skills as listed in the Maritime Skills Functional Framework;1,2,3,5,8,9,10,11 at practitioner level.
The interview will be assessed on experience and technical skills as outlined above plus behaviours: Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Changing and improving. You may also be asked questions during interview at an awareness level against all other technical skills in the Maritime Skills Functional Framework.
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.
There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.
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.
This vacancy will be assessed at SEO grade.
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.
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
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 : Brigadier Charlie Harmer
- Email : Charlie.Harmer113@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
Further information
Please see Further Information document attached.Attachments
20260518-Maritime_Specialists_Skills_Framework_V2-O (002) Opens in new window (docx, 151kB)20230511-Pre_Arrival_Guide_UKSC_Final Opens in new window (pdf, 906kB)Ministry of Defence – Revised Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) Opens in new window (pdf, 298kB)Further Information - External Opens in new window (docx, 39kB)Salary range
- £46,040 per year















