Radio Communications Lead

Job summary

Can you apply technical knowledge and expertise to develop, interpret and maintain maritime radio communications policy and regulation?

Do you have experience working with evidence, guidance or standards in a technical or regulatory environment?

Have you successfully engaged with a range of stakeholders to influence outcomes and deliver high quality written advice?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a Radio Communications Lead, based within the UK Technical Maritime Services (UKTMS) Directorate which has responsibility for developing, negotiating, and maintaining UK objectives and regulations relating to a wide range of safety and environment issues associated with ships and vessels of all sizes - from small pleasure vessels to the largest internationally trading ships, including maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS). There is regular engagement with operational colleagues across the MCA, Government Departments and other national Maritime Administrations, as well as industry stakeholders.

This role is in the Radio Team, which deals with the development, maintenance and implementation of radio communications regulations; the use and protection of radio spectrum; development and availability of technical standards for bridge navigation and radio communications equipment; and their appropriate application to installations on UK vessels. The work of the unit is primarily driven by ship requirements of the Convention on Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS), Ch IV Radiocommunications and the ITU Convention (International Telecommunications Convention) and regional and national implementations.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at: Maritime and Coastguard Agency - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

As the Radio Communications Lead, you will provide technical and regulatory expertise to develop, implement and manage maritime radio communications policy, regulation and guidance. You will act as a focal point for stakeholders, representing the MCA and UK interests at meetings and working groups, while helping to maintain a safety-focused and proportionate regulatory framework.

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Contributing to, and where appropriate lead, the development, negotiation, implementation and management of objectives and regulation for the UK merchant ship regulatory framework.
• Representing the MCA, and/or the UK, at internal, external and international meetings and working groups, including drafting and presentation of substantive papers.
• Coordinating the dissemination and input from UK stakeholders and government organisations in support of the development, implementation and management of maritime radio communications regulations and guidance.
• Providing a focal point role for industry and colleagues, maintaining a positive and proactive role with internal and external stakeholders.
• Drafting instructions for Government lawyers on UK objectives and coordinate impact assessments, including development of M-Notices, Safety Bulletins, Instructions to Surveyors and Advice Notes.
• Maintaining awareness of national and international political and policy context for maritime radio communications.
• Handle technical and regulatory questions, providing advice to senior managers, government departments and Ministers.
• Support the assessment of applications for exemptions and equivalences relating to radio communication equipment.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

Essential licenses:

• A valid passport for international travel

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications/licenses at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

Required experience:

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following:

• A science/engineering degree or higher diploma in a relevant subject

Or

• equivalent qualifications

Or

• experience in a specialism related to radio communications.
• Ability to apply scientific and technical knowledge, drawing on relevant experience.
• Ability to locate, understand and use data, evidence and advice from analytical, scientific and technical sources.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and proven ability to research and draft high quality documents using a range of different media.

Additional Information

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.

Hybrid working available

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

• Travel within the UK and potentially abroad with overnight stays is required to attend various meetings.
• The role will require some planned and unplanned travel, with some work and travel taking place outside normal working hours and potentially at weekends.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that we will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. Therefore, this role is not open to applications from those who require sponsorship – candidates must ensure they have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Licences

A valid passport for international travel.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Broad thinking – Technical adaptability (Level – Emerging)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,241, Maritime and Coastguard Agency contributes

£12,816 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).

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at MCA (opens in a new window).

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's skills, and potential fit within our organisation.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement

Stage 2: Interview

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1000-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:

• Ability to apply scientific and technical knowledge, drawing on relevant experience.
• Ability to locate, understand and use data, evidence and advice from analytical, scientific and technical sources.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and proven ability to research and draft high quality documents using a range of different media.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Success Profile element, Ability to apply scientific and technical knowledge, drawing on relevant experience .

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The sift will take place week commencing 14/09/2026.

Stage 2: Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical - Government Science and Engineering Career Framework

• Broad thinking – Technical adaptability (Level – Emerging)

You will also be required to complete a written assessment to assess the Behaviour Communicating and Influencing. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.

The interviews will take place 23/09/2026 and 24/09/2026.

This interview will be conducted in person at our Southampton office (Spring Place, Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1EG). Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

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