Principal - Single Design Entity Project

Salary: £60,000 up to £67,303 (dependent upon experience) + £15,355 Market Related Supplement.

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Security Level: SC

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

UK airspace forms part of critical national infrastructure and is some of the most complex in the world. However, it has been developed over a prolonged period, in a fragmented and uncoordinated manner that has struggled to keep pace with demands put on it and evolution of aircraft technology – in short it is in need of urgent modernisation. The UK Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS) seeks to drive the modernisation of this asset through its vision of quicker, cleaner, and quieter journeys. One of the key tenets of the AMS is move away from the uncoordinated, individually sponsored, approach to airspace design, and take a coordinated, strategic approach to ensure airspace design keeps pace with modernisation.

As co-sponsors of the AMS, the Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have established a joint Project Team to develop a model for implementing a UK Airspace Desing Service (UKADS) to deliver the required coordinated approach to airspace design. The Single Design Entity (SDE) will eventually provide the technical subject matter expertise (Airspace and Instrument Flight Procedure design, aeronautical information management, etc), as well as manage and coordinate all UK airspace change proposals. Adopting a phased approach, the SDE will initially be implemented under current legislative and policy frameworks, with a narrower focus on the London TMA. In the medium to longer term, it is anticipated that, with an appropriately updated legislative framework, the SDE will become responsible for all airspace change proposals.

Delivery of the SDE project is a CAA Board and Secretary of State for Transport priority.

Core Accountabilities

• Provide technical airspace and regulatory expertise within a diverse, multi-disciplinary team of policy, and subject matter experts to tackle some of the most complex challenges, both technical and political, associated with the modernisation of the UK’s airspace. They will need to collaborate with teams across the CAA (and more widely) and generate buy-in to delivery of the SDE.
• Support evolution and delivery of the SDE Project so that it can where necessary drive changes to legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks to support the development, implementation and the future oversight and management of an SDE in the short, medium, and longer term.
• Help develop, evidence, and communicate key areas of focus for the SDE Project and work collaboratively to develop the initial SDE proposition, ready for implementation at pace, as well support the development of regulatory requirements and frameworks for its future.
• Provide technical airspace SME input as part of delivering critical and robust support to the SDE Project Board, along with other senior internal governance meetings, including ExCo and Board, as appropriate.
• Ensure provision of the airspace related material necessary to support the smooth functioning and output of the weekly DfT/CAA SDE meeting and SDE Project Board as part of the SDE Project’s governance.
• Provide SME input to as part of the SDE Project’s roadmap ‘Plan’, to include all elements necessary for the successful delivery of an IOC SDE and laying the foundations for a future FOC SDE.
• Liaise and coordinate with specialists from across the wider CAA departments as necessary in support of SDE sponsored ACP activities.
• Fulfill role of SDE Project Team SME on all aspects of the CAAs CAP1616 Airspace Change Process.
• Where appropriate provide advice and guidance to the SDE to enable them to comply with the requirements of the airspace change process. 
• Capture and readily share safety-relevant intelligence, information, and analysis from multiple internal and external sources with all CAA groups.
• To keep up to date with CAA records management policies and procedures and to amend CSP SDE practices and procedures to ensure continuing compliance.

About You

Essential

• Have been either an Air Traffic Controller, civil/military aircrew, or an equivalent level of technical expertise, with extensive experience of ATM and specifically ATC operations in UK airspace both enroute and terminal.
• Have a good knowledge of the CAA and UK aviation industry supported by an understanding of key legislative factors influencing and determining the CAA’s role as an airspace regulator e.g. the Civil Aviation Act, Air Navigation Order, Rules of the Air Regulations and the appropriate MAA Regulatory Publications.
• Working knowledge, or able to demonstrate the ability to rapidly develop knowledge, of ICAO, Eurocontrol Network Manager, EASA and other international institutions that might impact upon the implementation of an SDE and UK airspace modernization.
• Detailed knowledge of the Airspace Modernisation Strategy and CAP1616.
• Be able to rapidly establish personal credibility with technical specialists and develop constructive relationships, with effective communication skills both written and oral in engaging with contacts at all levels throughout the CAA and externally.
• Have high levels of commitment, reliability, and flexibility, and be an excellent team worker with sound interpersonal skills.
• Be innovative and able to develop novel solutions, based on expert knowledge and detailed understanding of ATM and aviation law principles.
• Have had past staff experience (including undertaking research, analysing findings and with the ability to make sound judgments) in area and/or terminal ATM operations policy or airspace development post. 
• Can work with minimum supervision, be pro-active and possess strong time management skills to meet deadlines.
• Possess good organisational skills and the ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplined team.
• Have experience of MS Office packages specifically Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Desirable

• Be Certified associate in project management (CAPM) or have completed Prince 2

What Can We Offer You?

• You will become a valued member of within a professional, supportive multi-disciplined team of personnel. We will invest in you and allow you to grow your career, offering a wide variety of excellent internal and external professional and personal development training opportunities.
• Financial rewards: attractive salary, an envied Defined Contribution Pension Scheme where you elect what % of salary contribution you wish invest and the CAA will double that as well, up to a maximum of 12% (6% employee contribution), and other generous salary sacrifice schemes including an additional 5 days leave purchase scheme.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on CTC and SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Working With Us  

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.
 

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values
 

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here
 

Closing Date: 2nd December 2024

Interview Date: w/c 9th December 2024

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.