Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) for RAF

The post is based in Gladiator Block at RAF High Wycombe, but can also work from a designated office in Hangar 49 at RAF Brize Norton when required, The Air DGSA is the RAF's Subject Matter Expert on the transport of Dangerous Goods by all modes of transport, but particularly air. It is primarily an advisory role and represents the RAF at various policy forums and DG working groups. This involves trouble shooting where ever DG by air is causing problems or friction in the MOD supply chain.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week., The Air DGSA will be doing the following:
1. Ensuring IATA policy is being complied with, by monitoring non-compliance and compiling monthly statistics to show how much non-compliant DG is arriving at Brize Norton for transport by air.
2. Making informal visits to units that are making repeated consignor errors to investigate causes and conduct remedial training if required.
3. Working with the DGSAs from other TLBs and the Movements & Transport Safety Regulator to develop the MOD's own policy (Dangerous Goods Manual).
4. Maintain the Government Authorised Explosive Representative (GAER) qualification and facilitate moves of explosives where the GAER presence is required (typically 2-3 times a year, by invitation and agreement).
5. Investigating serious breaches of DG safety that have been reported.
6. Maintaining an awareness of developments to do with DG by air in commercial aviation, ensuring trends in DG related safety occurrences are given due consideration within MOD, e.g. proliferation of lithium batteries in personal devices., Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.
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.
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
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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 the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

The applicant will have a background in supply chain and/or air transport, which includes personal involvement in the movement of DG. The applicant will hold, or have held, qualifications in the preparation of DG for transport. The applicant must be able to travel to MOD units around the UK and overseas when required (approx once a month)., A history of qualifications in the movement and handling of Dangerous Goods, ideally CAA DG consignor. Qualifications do not have to be current, by do need to have been held at some point in past career.

Alongside your salary of £35,290, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,223 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 average employer contribution of 27%
+ 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to a maximum 30 days after 5 years. In addition to 8 public holidays per year, you will receive a day’s leave for the HM the King’s Birthday.
+ Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
+ Subsidised membership to a fitness suite and lunchtime/evening Military led fitness classes.
+ Café and shop on site.
+ Free on-site secure parking.
+ £2,000 pa (pro-rata) recruitment and retention allowance payable to staff located at RAF High Wycombe.
+ Be part of a vital organisation, where we make a difference every day.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
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.