Looking for a new challenge?

The Strategic Command Safety Centre is looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced individual to join us and work as an integral part of the team to fill the role of Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA).

Strategic Command (UKStratCom) is one of the four Military Commands operating in the UK and overseas, including locations in Cyprus, Gibraltar and the South Atlantic.

The Strategic Command Safety Centre enables UKStratCom to deliver its core outputs whilst protecting Health, Safety and the Environment.

The DGSA is responsible for supporting the Head of the Safety Centre by providing Strategic Command Business Units, Heads of Establishment and other stakeholders with professional advice on the transport, movement and handling of Dangerous Goods, in order for them to meet the Health and Safety, Environmental Protection (HS&EP) objectives in the UKStratCom Command Plan and Executive Committee/ HS&EP Committee priorities as well as applicable legal requirements.

The DGSA will also act as Movements and Transport Subject Matter Expert (SME), providing competent advice and support across the command.

The Safety Centre is primarily based at MOD Abbey Wood North in Bristol. The duty station for this post will be MOD Abbey Wood North.

Flexible working arrangements have been established within UKStratCom, which support alternative working arrangements; however, the post is integral to the Safety Centre and the successful candidate will be required to attend the Bristol office on a regular basis.

The post is advertised at 37 hours per week and is intended to be full-time and therefore part-time or job share can only be considered if full-time cover can be achieved. 

The DGSA will be the UKStratCom lead for Dangerous Goods as well as for Movement and Transport Safety and will be responsible for acting as the SME focal point for the movement, transport and handling of Dangerous Goods across the command.

UKStratCom DGSA will:

• Act as DGSA for the transport, movement and handling of Dangerous Goods across the command; providing competent advice and support to HLBs and Units for all modes of transport (Air & Surface incorporating Sea, Land and Rail), including multi-modal transport.
• Develop & maintain command-specific Dangerous Goods policies and guidance whilst adopting and promoting best practice.
• Establish and chair a UKStratCom Dangerous Goods Working Group (DGWG).
• Submit DGSA periodic (annual) reports to Head of the Safety Centre for inclusion in the UKStratCom Annual Assurance Report to Deputy Commander UKStratCom, providing a copy to the Defence regulator, MTSR.
• Co-ordinate the Dangerous Goods Manual (DGM) Request for Change (RfC) proposals on behalf of the command.
• Co-ordinate all competent authority approvals on behalf of the command for all classes of DG including Class 1 and 7, including internationally.
• Act as Movements and Transport SME across the command, providing competent advice and support to HLBs and Units.
• Establish, implement and maintain Second Party Assurance (2PA) programs for Dangerous Goods and Movement and Transport.
• Review Dangerous Goods and Movement and Transport first party assurance (1PA) undertaken by subordinate HLBs and units.
• Review regulator inspection reports, record enforcement notices and monitor the implementation of associated action plans.
• Ensure risks are owned and managed at the appropriate level(s) and liaise with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that suitable actions are taken to keep Dangerous Goods and Movement and Transport risks ALARP and Tolerable.
• Maintain close working relationship with the Command Master Driver (relating to the movement of DG by road) and Defence Safety Authority (DSA) regulators.
• Investigate Dangerous Goods and Movement and Transport related accidents, incidents and near misses, assisting with the production of reports and providing relevant details to the MoD Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor and the regulator.
• Act as the command focal point for all communications with DSA Regulators, other organisations and stakeholders that are integral to managing Dangerous Goods and Movement and Transport risks.
• Review and promote current DG Awareness training, Toolbox talks and other Movement and Transport information to support the command and external stakeholders as required.
• Contribute and support the Safety Centre wider objectives and HS&EP audit programme.

The DGSA post is integral to the Safety Centre Functional Safety team based in Abbey Wood North (ABWN) in Bristol and the successful candidate will be required to work from the ABWN office on a regular basis.

Frequent travel within the UK as well as travel outside of the UK, including where necessary to operational environments, will be required to fulfil the requirements of the post.

You will be expected to have previous experience and good knowledge of the rules and regulations for transport, movement and handling of Dangerous Goods.

Suitable applicants will possess good communication skills and be able to work independently whilst delivering results within their area of responsibility. 

The post holder will be supporting the UKStratCom audit and assurance programme and is required to complete regular travel in the UK and overseas including, where necessary, to operational environments.

Essential Qualification(s):

• SQA DGSA Certificate (valid, or if recently expired - to be renewed within 6 months of taking up the post)
• DG Consignor Courses Certificates (valid, or if recently expired - to be renewed within 6 months of taking up the post)

Desirable Qualification(s):

• Level 3 Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, or equivalent
• International Standards Organisation (ISO) Lead Auditor Qualification
• Government Authorised Explosive Representative (GAER) Course Certificate
• Full UK driving license

Desirable Professional Membership(s):

Member of a relevant professional body

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others
• Making Effective Decisions

• 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%
• Opportunity for overseas travel
• On-site gymnasium (for a small monthly fee for membership of Civil Service Sports Club)
• On-site cafeteria
• Cycle Loan (Advance on Salary)
• Defence Discount Service

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.

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Job contact :

• Name : Anette Gillström McLean
• Email : [email protected]
• Telephone : 03001569708

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]