UK Ministry of Defence
Navy Command - Joint Tactical Operations Cell Watchkeeper 2
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HMNB Devonport, PL2 2BG
Job Summary
At Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navy’s readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.
As the authority for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine capability, the Submarine Directorate oversees one of the most complex and critical elements of UK defence. Covering everything from in-service management to long-term fleet modernisation, the directorate ensures the Submarine Flotilla remains safe, reliable, and ready to meet national security requirements.
You'll be based at HMNB Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe and a powerhouse of Royal Navy capability. It is home to amphibious ships, survey squadrons, submarines, and of the frigate force. With its unique nuclear refitting facility, Devonport ensures the Fleet remains ready to support operations worldwide.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job Description
The Joint Tactical Operations Cell (JTOC) Watchkeeper’s primary purpose, as the Naval Base Commander’s joint tactical integration representative, is to provide initial response and assume command and control of any incident affecting the Devonport site. The JTOC Watchkeeper will run the day to day aspects of the functioning of the Devonport site, including, but not limited to oversight of safety, security and operations. The JTOC Watchkeeper will be on base and contactable at all times of day and night every day of the year.
What You'll Be Doing:
- The JTOC Watchkeeper is responsible to the Operations Cell Manager for the day to day running and integration of all site activity and has the authority to suspend, prioritise and delay activity as required to achieve NBCD’s and broader site priorities
- The JTOC watchkeeper will maintain situational awareness of site activity to exercise NBC’s integration authority when activities might conflict to the detriment of safety, security or operational output.
- To act as the Initial Incident Commander responsible for the safety and security of the Devonport site and personnel thereon for any emergency affecting those sites until relieved by the appropriate response Commander.
- To act as the Initial Incident Commander responsible for the Devonport site as part of the Nuclear Emergency Response Organisation (NERO) and personnel thereon for any Nuclear Emergency affecting those sites until relieved by response Commander
- In the event of any emergency affecting the Devonport site, once relieved of Initial Incident Commander duties by the appropriate response Commander, to act in support of the Incident Commander.
- Maintain an overview of base wide operations within NBC Devonport’s area to give the Base, Industry Partners and site units commands adequate notice of relevant events and incidents.
- To support the MDP Shift Commander in the response to a Security Incident iaw Site Security Orders and relevant Operational Orders.
- Co-ordinate the weekly Ops Planning Meeting and weekly 1* Brief.
- Liaise with the appropriate Babcock duty manager on all site significant infrastructure issues, in particular in determining the priority for defects on base security systems in silent hours iaw the BSyO/Babcock MOU on the subject.
- In the absence of BSyO/SYO deal with cases of security access referred to the JTOC Watchkeeper by MGS or host departments and civilian contractors based at HMNB Devonport. All requests for access must be documented and passed to Base Security on a daily basis.
- Ensure that the NBC, DNBC and Base MOD Media Team are aware of any incidents or events that may (or have) attracted media attention.
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Shift Pattern
The Successful Candidate Will Spend Up To 3 Months (dependent On Prior Experience) Working Normal Working Hours To Learn The New Role. Once You Have Completed Your Training You Will Join The Watchbill, Which Follows The Routine Below:
- 3 x 12 hour day shifts
- 1 day watch leave
- 4 x 12 hour night shifts
- 6 days watch leave
This cycle repeats 5 times and is followed by 21days off, which includes watch and annual leave. Periodically, there may be a requirement to conduct administration for mandatory training.
Rosters and watchkeeping bills can be reviewed by the MOD centrally.
Person specification
The ideal candidates for these roles will have extensive experience of working in high pressure environments and be able to prioritise competing requirements to make rationale decisions to support the output of the base and ultimately defence.
Candidates for this role must have experience of building relationships with and managing the expectations of multi agency stakeholders as the role will require this on a day to day basis, liaising with MOD Lodger Units, Site Business Units and the main Industrial Partner as well as varied off site agencies.
You must be able to demonstrate problem solving ability and the vision to enable activity, looking for opportunities to deliver and meet NBC's aim.
Successful candidates will have a demonstrable record of delivering results through drawing on the strengths of those working with them, who they do not have line management responsibilities for.
A background in Defence is desirable, but not essential, but candidates must demonstrate a knowledge of strategic defence aims in order to be able to successfully carry out this role.
Successful candidates will have to demonstrate strong communication skills in a variety of mediums.
A background in emergency incident management is highly desirable.
To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:
Professional / External Qualifications
- Minimum UK Regulated Qualification Framework – Level 5 qualification.
- Extensive experience of Business and/or Defence leadership / management.
- Experienced and confident in the use of MS Office applications, in particular MSWord, Teams, Excel and PowerPoint.
Memberships
- Essential
Recognised programme or project management qualification or experience as agreed with Ops Cell Manager.
Learning and Development
Post-joining Essential
- Nuclear Emergency Procedures Course
- Local Emergency Procedures Course
- Mandatory training as appropriate (security, health and safety, fire, information management, unconscious bias, equality and diversity, DSE and DSAI)
- Media Training
Qualifications
- Minimum UK Regulated Qualification Framework – Level 5 qualification.
Memberships
- Recognised programme or project management qualification OR experience as agreed with Ops Cell Manager.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
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- 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
- Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
- Personal & professional development
- Alternative working patterns for many roles
- Access to a confidential, professional support service
- Discount schemes
- Bicycle / season-ticket loans
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
- Special paid leave to volunteer (up to 6 days a year)
In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you’ll be supported through your learning journey and your career. This can include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.
You’ll have access to a variety of qualifications pathways ranging from GCSE/A-Level equivalent all the way up to master’s degree, depending on your role, your previous skills and your experience. Some qualifications even include “on-the-job” training which means minimal disruption to your working day but maximum impact
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.
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 Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
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