Head of Human Factors, Royal Navy

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a small multi-disciplinary team of Human Factors (HF) professionals (Ergonomists and Psychologists). The HF Group (HFG) at the INM provides the Royal Navy (RN) and wider Ministry of Defence (MOD) with applied research and evidence-based consultancy in ergonomics and psychology. Recent core HF outputs include subject matter expertise support to accident inquiries and investigations, occupational stress management, fatigue risk management, ergonomic assessments of maritime equipment, platforms and land vehicles and maritime platform accommodation habitability advice.� The successful candidate will manage the staff and resources of the HFG and support the integration of HF principles within the RN and MOD.

At the Institute of Naval Medicine, we offer an impressive range of on-site facilities including a gymnasium, volleyball court, medicinal garden, plenty of car parking spaces, a canteen with indoor and outdoor seating, and two �mess� facilities (areas for military and civilian personnel to socialise and eat).� The Institute is in the seaside settlement of Alverstoke, a short walk from award-winning Georgian era gardens and a shingle beach with views of the Isle of Wight.� There are nature reserves nearby and the cities of Portsmouth, Southampton and Winchester can be reached within 30 to 45 minutes by car.

As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference.

Subscription fees for membership of approved professional bodies are paid by the Department.

Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work-life balance. �In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career.� Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.

This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The primary purpose of the role is to provide a Human Factors service within the Royal Navy (RN) and wider Ministry of Defence (MOD) giving advice and undertaking high quality research where necessary, to optimise the functioning of new and existing RN systems.

The post holder will be expected to field queries and provide HF subject matter advice to RN and MOD customers, with the support of the wider HFG for specialist areas of expertise. The post holder will support the members of the HFG in determining the requirement for new work to be undertaken in response to queries, within INM�s current tasking process.

The post holder will be required to provide HF expertise to accident investigations, depending on the nature of the accident, the level of support required and capability and capacity to assist.� Formal training will be provided to the job holder in accident investigation through the Health and Safety Executive.��

The successful candidate will be expected to undertake the management of scientific and technical aspects of the HFG. Critical scrutiny and technical assurance of reports and other outputs from the HFG will be expected of the post holder.

Experience of line management of a multi-disciplinary team or multi-person research project is desirable for this post.� However, the post may also be suitable for individuals looking to gain expertise in this area.

The successful candidate will be expected to undertake line management responsibility for 2 HSO (C2 grade) post holders and 1 EO (D Grade) post as well as Countersigning Officer (CSO) responsibilities for 2 D grade posts (all job holders are either Ergonomists or Psychologists).

The post holder will be expected to attend weekly divisional meetings to ensure the Head of Division and other Heads of Groups are appraised of the progress of work undertaken by the HF Group. The successful candidate will also chair weekly meetings of the HF Group to track progress and discuss standing agenda items.

Depending on the needs of the task, the post holder will at times work independently and at other times collaboratively with team members or colleagues in other departments.� The post holder will be required to engage with customers and stakeholders at all levels, including senior military and civilian personnel.� The post requires occasional travel within the UK and sometimes overseas, each of which may include overnight stays on land and possibly at sea.

The Institute of Naval Medicine is the Naval Service�s Centre of Excellence, bringing together scientists and medical professionals to improve the health of the UK Armed Forces.� The unique opportunities offered within are varied, challenging and exciting and support Navy Command�s role to generate and operate forces for today and to ensure we are ready for tomorrow by developing and delivering the Navy of the future.

In Navy Command, our civil servants work alongside their military colleagues in jobs that matter; jobs which often have a direct impact on the quality of the operational capabilities we deliver.

Roles can offer great job satisfaction and there are many opportunities to develop and progress both within the Department and across the wider Civil Service.

Navy Command provides an open, flexible, and inclusive work environment where civil servants and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and challenging jobs in areas ranging from: finance; legal services; personnel and HR; project planning and managing contracts, to media and communications.

Person specification

We are seeking a competent Human Factors advisor who excels in engagement with stakeholders and can represent the Royal Navy and wider Defence to ensure the health, safety and efficiency of Defence personnel.

They will be expected to:�

Manage the staff and resources of the Human Factors Group in an effective and efficient manner.

Field queries, develop new work, provide HF subject matter advice and develop a HF insight and approach to contribute to enhancing the health and safety and efficiency of Defence personnel.

Supervise and quality assure activities conducted and outputs produced by the Human Factors Group.

Engage with stakeholders, subject matter expertise support to working groups, interdepartmental liaison, external liaison with HF networks.

Support accident investigations by providing specialist ergonomics/Human factors expertise and advice.

Represent the MoD(N) on NATO groups and other working parties so that their aims are met effectively.

Since the role requires travel to other sites, sometimes out of working hours, a full driving licence is highly desirable.���

Licences

Chartered membership of either the British Psychological Society (BPS) or the Chartered Institute of Human Factors and Ergonomics (CIEHF) is an expectation. We will accept candidates working towards this status, with documented evidence, but they must have at least three years of professional experience in their role.

Qualifications

A postgraduate qualification in either Ergonomics or Psychology is essential for this post.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

LeadershipCommunicating and InfluencingMaking Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Apply scientific/technical knowledge (Level 3)SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Overseeing the technical work of others (Level 3)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of �43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes �11,631 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years� serviceLearning and development tailored to your roleAn environment with flexible working optionsAccess to a confidential, professional support serviceA culture encouraging inclusion and diversityA with an average employer contribution of 27%Discount schemesBicycle / season ticket loansEnhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leaveSpecial paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a yearPersonal & professional development, Learning and development tailored to your role

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 .

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.

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.

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