Navy Command - HMS Caledonia Health and Safety Advisor

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 responsible for generating the Royal Navy’s operational capability, Director Force Generation ensures ships, submarines, aviation, commando forces, and supporting elements achieve the required levels of readiness. By balancing capability, risk, and operational demand, the directorate provides assured force output and acts as the Fleet’s scheduling authority, ensuring the Royal Navy can deliver whenever and wherever required.

You'll be based at HMS Caledonia, the Royal Navy’s principal support establishment on Scotland’s east coast. It plays a vital role in supporting Rosyth Dockyard, from the Type 31 frigate build programme to maintenance of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. As a hub for Reserves and Cadets, HMS Caledonia also strengthens community ties and inspires future generations across Scotland.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Are you a Health & Safety professional committed to protecting people and ensuring safe operations? If so, Navy Command has an exciting opportunity for you to join our team. In this role, you’ll be at the forefront of safeguarding our personnel, equipment, and environments ensuring compliance, promoting a culture of safety, and driving continuous improvement across naval operations. Step into a position where your expertise directly supports the Royal Navy’s mission, keeping our people safe and our operations resilient.

As the Health and Safety Officer you will lead and control Health and Safety policy documentation in accordance with the Defence Safety Manual (JSP375), “The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and Health, Safety at Work Act 1974 and Fire (Scotland) Act 2005” all aspects of Risk Assessment, Safe Systems of Work and organisation of training to maintain suitable and sufficient compliance under the delegation of Head of Establishment within the designated area of responsibility – HMS Caledonia.

Duties shall include the following:

• Line management responsibilities for 1 x Band E1 (AO) providing a wide support network to employees
• Deputise for the E1 Accommodation Officer to book and allocate single living accommodation and assist with establishment security Vetting.
• Act as Establishment Fire Focal Point ensuring compliance to Fire Safety legislation and ensuring Fire Evacuation Drills and Reports are conducted and recorded and logs maintained in accordance with JSP426 Defence Fire Safety Manual.
• Health and Safety strategy, promoting positive Health and safety culture, competence, control and communication of all visitors and contractors, in maintaining the site area hazard register.
• Manage, maintain and communicate all Health and Safety policy and ensure clarification of all external guidance (HSE) and regulations as require
• Determine and implement Health and Safety training requirements for site.
• Act as HMS Caledonia Cryptographic Custodian.
• Provide Cover acting as Duty Officer on a rotational basis which includes weekends.
• Additional non specified reasonable duties to maintain team ethos and business continuity.

We value flexible ways of working. This role requires regular onsite attendance (around 60% of the working week) to benefit from face-to-face collaboration, while offering flexibility of hours to support work life balance and business needs. During the initial period, you may be asked to attend more frequently to get familiar with the site, team, and responsibilities.

What you'll be doing

Responsible to the Commanding Officer HMS Caledonia for the following:

• Management of the Unit Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) ensuring it complies with legislative and MOD Policies. This includes drafting the HS&EP Management Plans
• To ensure all area and Building Workplace safety inspections are conducted within a 2-year rolling programme. Corrective and Preventative actions to be closed out sufficiently.
• Acting as the Fire Focal Point and provide advice, leadership, guidance and mentoring on Health Safety and Environmental Protection (HS&EP) matters. This will include assisting in the management of Fire Risk Assessments (FRA) and other fire safety Issues liaising with relevant contractors, Fire and Rescue and defence fire regulator as required.
• Organising quarterly H&S meetings, recording and issuing minutes
• Ensuring establishment is compliant in the provision of First Aid and in accordance with First Aid Risk Assessment.
• Health and Safety biannual audit program producing audit reports and updating corrective action plans
• All Accident, Incident and Near miss is reported and investigated to reduce risk and impact ALARP.
• Reporting and investigating incidents and accidents on MYSAFETY and maintaining records.
• Site specific and Task specific Risk Assessments are suitable and sufficient, reasonable, and practicable and reviewed in line with Policy, Rules, and Guidance.
• Oversee and support allocations of Single living accommodation, Security Vetting and act as point of contact for any resolutions required.

Person specification

• Strong and understanding of the health, safety or environmental protection legislation.
• Ability to support inspiring and influential projects specific to health, safety and environmental protection, suitable for a range of audiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with strong personal impact and ability to produce high quality material.
• Ability to inspire and support HS&EP professionals and HS&EP teams across Defence
• Be a team player, with the ability to challenge, influence and interface with all stakeholders.

Essential to have prior to taking up post:
• NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent Level 3 Health and Safety qualification

Qualifications

Essential to have prior to taking up post:
•NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent Level 3 Health and Safety qualification

Highly Desirable:
•Unit Fire Safety Manager (UFSM)
•Electromagnetic Fields Safety Officer (ESO)
•IOSH Workplace Risk Assessor
•Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)

If desirable qualifications are not held then candidates are required to undertake the training within 12 months of joining.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,740, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,905 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).

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• 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 lea