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Principal Inspector of Marine Accidents
| Posting date: | 28 March 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £93,114 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 27 April 2025 |
| Location: | Southampton, Hampshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 397086 |
Summary
Based in Southampton, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is an independent organisation within the Department for Transport. The Branch is responsible for investigating accidents and incidents involving UK vessels anywhere in the world, and any vessels within UK territorial waters, with the aim of improving the safety of life at sea and the avoidance of accidents in future. The Branch is not responsible for apportioning blame or liability, nor does it enforce laws or carry out prosecutions.
The MAIB comprises 34 specialist and administrative staff. Inspectors are divided into four teams each headed by a Principal Inspector.
As a Principal Inspector of Marine Accidents, you will be responsible for supervising a multi-disciplinary team of inspectors carrying out investigations into marine accidents. You will also be a key member of the senior management team, contributing to the formulation of policy and the development of the Branch.
Responsibilities
Acting as duty co-ordinator and the Branch’s initial point of contact for out of hours accident notifications within a 4-week cycle; leading and managing a team of specialist accident investigators.
Deploying to accident sites, at short notice during duty weeks, to manage the more demanding investigations; this could include travel worldwide.
Directing the progress, conduct, and quality assurance of investigations, the development of recommendations, and overseeing production of the investigation report.
Dealing with individuals and organisations involved in marine accidents in what can often be stressful situations.
Representing the Branch at industry fora.
Contributing to MAIB's wider management strategies.
For more information, please see the attached Role Profile.
Person specification
To thrive in this role, you will
Possess Senior Management experience at sea or ashore.
Have the confidence and technical background to enable you to tackle accident investigations involving vessels of all types.
Hold project management skills with a proven ability to plan and prioritise to meet challenging timescales in a dynamic environment.
Be able to assess and analyse data from various sources, and able to recognise when external expertise is required to make progress.
Have strong leadership skills, with the ability to create strategies and plans, to give clear direction, and to motivate staff.
Have excellent written and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to write clear, logical and persuasive reports.
Additional information
In accordance with current DfT requirements, a minimum of 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace, although requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another DfT workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance.
Due to the nature of MAIB operations, the successful candidate may be exposed to accident scene, information and material, including video and photographic imagery that could be distressing. The successful candidate might also be required to speak with potentially traumatised accident victims, bereaved family members and witnesses. It is essential that candidates take these requirements into consideration before applying for the post.
Applicants will be required to participate in a wellbeing and traumatic stress risk review and online personality questionnaire in advance of their formal assessment. This risk review is not a formal assessment and will not decide whether you progress to interview. The risk review will include a short questionnaire which is followed up by a short telephone call with a psychologist. Potential applicants are welcome to contact the MAIB for further information (contact point below).
Due to the nature of MAIB operations, you will be required to undertake physical demanding activities such as working in disrupted environments and confined spaces, working at height, and boarding vessels by pilot ladders. We therefore advise candidates to consider these requirements before applying. Please note that successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical health assessment before starting in post. Details of the relevant medical standards can be found via the link at the bottom of this advertisement.
Licences
Full UK Drivers Licence
Qualifications
Applicants must hold relevant industry experience utilising one of the qualifications listed below.
STCW 95 -II/2 (Master) (Unlimited) or STCW III/2 (Engineering) (Unlimited) or a degree in Naval Architecture or a Post-Graduate Certificate or higher qualification in marine accident investigation. Approved Royal Navy equivalency is accepted.
Relevant industry experience at a senior level utilizing the above qualifications. This is taken to mean any of: experience in command or as the senior engineer afloat, or senior management in role ashore; industry experience as a naval architect; or experience as a marine accident investigator.
The MAIB comprises 34 specialist and administrative staff. Inspectors are divided into four teams each headed by a Principal Inspector.
As a Principal Inspector of Marine Accidents, you will be responsible for supervising a multi-disciplinary team of inspectors carrying out investigations into marine accidents. You will also be a key member of the senior management team, contributing to the formulation of policy and the development of the Branch.
Responsibilities
Acting as duty co-ordinator and the Branch’s initial point of contact for out of hours accident notifications within a 4-week cycle; leading and managing a team of specialist accident investigators.
Deploying to accident sites, at short notice during duty weeks, to manage the more demanding investigations; this could include travel worldwide.
Directing the progress, conduct, and quality assurance of investigations, the development of recommendations, and overseeing production of the investigation report.
Dealing with individuals and organisations involved in marine accidents in what can often be stressful situations.
Representing the Branch at industry fora.
Contributing to MAIB's wider management strategies.
For more information, please see the attached Role Profile.
Person specification
To thrive in this role, you will
Possess Senior Management experience at sea or ashore.
Have the confidence and technical background to enable you to tackle accident investigations involving vessels of all types.
Hold project management skills with a proven ability to plan and prioritise to meet challenging timescales in a dynamic environment.
Be able to assess and analyse data from various sources, and able to recognise when external expertise is required to make progress.
Have strong leadership skills, with the ability to create strategies and plans, to give clear direction, and to motivate staff.
Have excellent written and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to write clear, logical and persuasive reports.
Additional information
In accordance with current DfT requirements, a minimum of 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace, although requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another DfT workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance.
Due to the nature of MAIB operations, the successful candidate may be exposed to accident scene, information and material, including video and photographic imagery that could be distressing. The successful candidate might also be required to speak with potentially traumatised accident victims, bereaved family members and witnesses. It is essential that candidates take these requirements into consideration before applying for the post.
Applicants will be required to participate in a wellbeing and traumatic stress risk review and online personality questionnaire in advance of their formal assessment. This risk review is not a formal assessment and will not decide whether you progress to interview. The risk review will include a short questionnaire which is followed up by a short telephone call with a psychologist. Potential applicants are welcome to contact the MAIB for further information (contact point below).
Due to the nature of MAIB operations, you will be required to undertake physical demanding activities such as working in disrupted environments and confined spaces, working at height, and boarding vessels by pilot ladders. We therefore advise candidates to consider these requirements before applying. Please note that successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical health assessment before starting in post. Details of the relevant medical standards can be found via the link at the bottom of this advertisement.
Licences
Full UK Drivers Licence
Qualifications
Applicants must hold relevant industry experience utilising one of the qualifications listed below.
STCW 95 -II/2 (Master) (Unlimited) or STCW III/2 (Engineering) (Unlimited) or a degree in Naval Architecture or a Post-Graduate Certificate or higher qualification in marine accident investigation. Approved Royal Navy equivalency is accepted.
Relevant industry experience at a senior level utilizing the above qualifications. This is taken to mean any of: experience in command or as the senior engineer afloat, or senior management in role ashore; industry experience as a naval architect; or experience as a marine accident investigator.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.