Senior Scientific Officer
| Posting date: | 01 October 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £41,600 to £44,512 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 15 October 2024 |
| Location: | Middlesbrough |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 371618/5 |
Summary
Border Force is a law enforcement arm of the Home Office. We are responsible for managing UK border controls by implementing immigration and customs regulations and working with the wider Home Office on counter terrorism and tackling organised crime, modern slavery, and trafficking. Learn more on our careers pages.
Preventing small boat crossings of the Channel remains a top priority for the Home Office. All levers and capabilities across HMG are being drawn upon to reduce the number of people successfully crossing from France and to humanely and efficiently manage those that are intercepted and brought to the UK.
A key part of the department’s response is driven by the Small Boats Operational Command (SBOC), an operational directorate within Border Force. SBOC delivers this through implementing world-leading surveillance technology on air, land and sea, developing operational initiatives with France and other near-neighbour partners, and by providing capabilities and resources to support the interception and initial processing of people arriving by small boat in the UK.
Much of the detail of what we do is classified. We can promise you will see and work with technologies that very few get to see. We work with many partners meaning our work is varied and on any given day you might be solving problems in the laboratory, or with like-minded engineers and scientists from across UK government departments.
The primary purpose of the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), in which this role sits, is to rapidly understand the operational environment and identify areas where technology could provide genuine enhancements to capabilities, before commissioning the testing and evaluation (where necessary), procurement, and deployment of equipment. This is achieved by developing a technology strategy that closely aligns with the wider strategic objectives of the Command and by providing ad hoc advice on issues and opportunities as they arise.
As a Senior Scientific Officer, you will identify, develop and implement technologies to aid the fight against illicit immigration. We want people who can help us build our capabilities and join us in leading others into this exciting future.
Working pattern
This role is suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 20 hours per week.
Please note flexible working will be available where business needs allow. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office subject to local Estates capacity.
Responsibilities
This role is multi-faceted but primarily covers the following:
- Identifying opportunities to utilise innovative technologies and develop to successful implementation.
- Overseeing the development, implementation and operationalisation of a range of capabilities, including tactical Remote Piloted Aircraft Services (RPAS) and maritime assets focused on disrupting and preventing migrant crossings.
- Working closely with partners in the UK and overseas to develop novel and untested technology.
- Working closely with the wider CTO team, including the CTO, the Chief of Staff, and the CTO’s Staff Officer; as well as operational and programme management leads in the wider SBOC team and across the Home Office.
- You will help push the boundaries of cutting-edge science and technology, working on complex and sometimes sensitive projects.
- You will engage with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
Please note it is not envisaged that you will have line management responsibilities at this time, but this may change in the future.