Assistant Chief Coastguard Scotland and Northern Ireland 7 views

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) implements the government’s maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea.      Safer lives. Safer Ships. Cleaner Seas.        Our vision is to be a world-leading organisation, accelerating the transition to sustainable shipping with non-negotiable safety standards. We put our people, our customers and our planet at the heart of everything we do.       We are committed to giving all our colleagues purpose, professionalism and pride in what we do. We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams.     We want everyone to feel valued and supported to achieve their potential at MCA.     This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks groups covering, Women’s, LGBTQI+, Race, Carers, Mental Wellbeing and volunteer Respect Ambassadors.

Whilst we welcome applications from candidates seeking part time/flexible working hours, there will be a business requirement for candidates to work a minimum of 30 hours for specific locations. For further information please contact hr.resourcing@mcga.gov.uk.   Who are the HM Coastguard?HM Coastguard (HMCG) is the operational arm of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) with responsibility for 6 Coastguard functions:

• Search and Rescue.
• Pollution Response.
• Vessel Traffic Management.
• Maritime Safety.
• Maritime Security.
• Emergency and Disaster Management.

We are looking for a dynamic individual to join us in this new and exciting senior leadership role within HMCG, as the Assistant Chief Coastguard Scotland and Northern Ireland.Reporting directly to the Chief Coastguard the successful applicant will take strategic leadership for three Coastguard Divisions made up of regular officers and volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers. The Assistant Chief Coastguard Scotland and Northern Ireland will evaluate risk, provide effective governance and supervision and ensure effective capacity planning to manage and match resource to demand, ensuring their division works to optimal performance levels. The role holder has national strategic oversight for the Coastguard Rescue Management Group, Accident Prevention, Coastal Operations Business Management Group and deputise for the Chief Coastguard when required.Stakeholder collaboration is key within this role and the Assistant Chief Coastguard England & Wales will liaise and build robust working relationships with other emergency services, local government, voluntary organisations the press and media and local resilience fora as well as internally across the MCA.This is a rare opportunity to take up a significant senior position in a challenging and exciting new role in which you will enjoy great satisfaction in bringing your ideas to the forefront and seeing them through to fruition. The role provides the opportunity and empowerment to use your drive and passion to create innovative solutions to mitigate risk and deliver MCA business objectives in its drive to be a world class maritime emergency service. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Providing strong visible strategic leadership, supervision, and guidance to their direct reports to ensure that maritime, aviation, coastal and counter pollution operational delivery is effective within their area of responsibility.
• Providing strategic direction to ensure that HMCG meet its responsibilities as a Category 1 Emergency Services Responder as required under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and be the operational national point of contact for the Civil Contingencies.
• Providing strategic oversight of the Counter Pollution Business Management Group to ensure that the group effectively identifies and proposes mitigation’s to emerging operational risks, develops and monitors the control measures for recognised risks and raises significant risks to Chief Officers Group COG for inclusion in the directorate Risk Register.
• Responsible for providing strategic oversight to ensure that HMCG operations remain underpinned by an effective staffing structure, appropriate estate, equipment, and competency to deliver a service that is both fit for purpose and capable of adapting to meet future demands at MRCCs Aberdeen, Shetland, Stornoway and Belfast and Coastal Operational Areas of 1,2,3,4,16,17,18. within in the context and parameters of the national network.
• Being comfortable making difficult decisions and exercising sound judgement at a strategic level, often in situations where uncertainty exists and information may be scant, whilst giving due consideration to the wider impact and optics of those decisions.

We are looking to be joined by a dynamic and experienced leader with a background in operational service delivery, able to manage risk and match resource to demand.  You will be experienced in building strategic relationships and able to effectively operate in an ever changing environment, exercising sound judgement and analysing critical factors and variables, considering the impact, outcomes and optics of decisions being made.You will be calm under pressure, flexible and resilient, able to face difficulties and unexpected situations head on, thinking strategically and putting thoughts quickly into action. You are a strong and enthusiastic leader, able to inspire and motivate your teams whilst encouraging strategic thinking, innovation and positive action.  You are comfortable working with ambiguity and uncertainty and confident navigating your teams through uncertain situations.Fantastic interpersonal skills are integral to this role and you pride yourself on your ability to work with others successfully, building strong trusted relationships in a short space of time.  You are compassionate, empathetic and honest, able to recognise the importance of transparency and accountability in order to strengthen relationships and nurture an environment of collaboration.