OFFICIAL-PERSONAL
Updated August 2014
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE MERCHANT NAVY LIAISON OFFICER (MNLO) – UNITED KINGDOM MARITIME TRADE OPERATIONS (UKMTO) - DUBAI
Background
1. The Royal Navy has authorised the presence of a Merchant Navy Liaison Officer to assist RN/RNR personnel appointed to UKMTO in Dubai in their relationship and understanding of Merchant Shipping Operations and Safety Procedures.
Primary Role
2. The Primary Role of the MNLO is to:
a. Be the Subject Matter Expert for Merchant Vessel operations within the UKMTO for all matters relating to HSSE (Health, Safety, Security and Environment).
b. Be the primary conduit for Company Security Officers (CSO) interacting with the UKMTO.
c. Provide support for CSOs and ship’s Masters operating in the Gulf region by email & telephone, on request.
d. Assess reports and information received from vessels to advise the UKMTO Officer in Charge(OiC) by determining any risk presented and the immediacy of informing other mariners.
e. Establish and maintain a relationship with local and international sectors of the merchant shipping community to provide an effective mechanism of communication between the merchant shipping community and UKMTO.
f. Promote UKMTO to all parties throughout the tenure of appointment.
g. Support exercises and drills conducted by Merchant vessels, UKMTO and other stakeholders as required. Accompany the OiC, as required, to Exercise planning conferences in order to provide merchant navy specialist input.
h. Promote Best Management Practise to all communities and encourage vessel reporting in support of Maritime Situational Awareness throughout the AOR.
Secondary Role
3. The Secondary Role of the MNLO is to:
a. Conduct maritime security briefings of merchant vessels, primarily within the AOR and in consultation with the OiC, providing advice and reassurance to merchant vessels operating or transiting the region. Priority will be given to vessels with a UK interest and then those considered to be at risk in the UKMCC AOR.
b. Support UKMTO Dubai personnel in their understanding of merchant shipping operations and contingency planning.
c. Conduct presentations to industry bodies as required by the OiC or as requested by Industry themselves in order for industry to be to understand UKMTO operations.
d. Accompany the OiC to SHADE meetings as required and assist in the preparation and execution of the MIEVOM. Accompany OiC UKMTO Dubai to regional maritime security related Conferences and Forums.
e. Undertake such other tasks as requested but not to the detriment of the Primary and Secondary roles.
Reporting Arrangements
4. Roles and general tasking of the MNLO will be in accordance with these Terms of
Reference.
a. Companies sponsoring the role of the MNLO will be informed on the progress made by the incumbent and any difficulties arising by the Technical Advisor Maritime Security at OCIMF.
b. The OiC Dubai will write a performance statement and send this to the Technical Advisor Maritime Security at OCIMF at the end of the tenure of each MNLO.
Outputs
5. The MNLO will be required to produce the following:
a. Timely promulgation of unclassified maritime security related information to all contacts on the approved distribution list.
b. At least weekly – a roundup of the political and economic situation affecting the maritime community operating in the AOR. This report will be distributed to all contacts on the approved distribution list.
c. Weekly – a report written by the MNLO, aligned with the UKMTO weekly report, but including further information relating to maritime security which may be of value to the industry. This report will be distributed to all contacts on the approved distribution list.
d. Mid Tour – an informal report to the sponsoring company on progress to date, areas for improvement and any difficulties encountered.
e. End of Tour – Lessons learned to the sponsoring company, copying the OiC UKMTO, the new MNLO and the Technical Advisor Maritime Security (OCIMF)
f. End of Tour - Comprehensive handover notes for the successive MNLO, with a copy forwarded to the Technical Advisor Maritime Security.
g. Other reports as agreed with the OiC in support of the Primary and Secondary Roles.
Administration
6. The MNLO will be seconded to UKMTO from a sponsoring maritime industry company for a period of approximately 5 months.
7. The MNLO will be employed at the UKMTO Operations Room located inside the grounds of the British Embassy in Dubai. The hours worked will be agreed with the OiC appointment.
8. The UKMTO will provide office facilities and support within the MTO Office including a desk/work station, internet connection and user account for MTIS[1] to allow the MNLO to perform his Primary and Secondary Roles. The facilities and work space will be in compliance with UK Health and Safety at Work standards.
9. All costs associated with the secondment will be borne by the Sponsoring Company for each MNLO. This includes meals, transportation and welfare, plus any UAE entry requirements. Accommodation will be provided by OCIMF.
10. By exception, when engaged on official UKMTO business, the MNLO may ride as a passenger in a UKMTO government vehicle – self driving is not permitted.
Qualifications
Essential / Professional Experience: / Recent Operational Exposure with 2 years minimum experience as a Chief Officer.Education/training: / Class 1 Certificate.
Security Clearance: / Not Required but desirable.
Rank / Master (a Chief Officer with suitable operational experience may be considered).
Language: / English – SLP Level 4.
Standard ADP Knowledge: / Working knowledge of all Microsoft applications.
Pre-Deployment / Visit Royal Navy HQ & Maritime Trade Information Centre
Desirable / Professional Experience: / Preferable - Recent Operational Command experience
Education/training: / Ship Security Officer Course
Language: / English
Civilian Posts: / Voluntary Temporary Civilian Post
Remarks
11. In undertaking these tasks, the Merchant Navy Liaison Officer will respect applicable Anti-Trust/Competition laws in relation to dealings with any commercial organisations.
12. The UKMTO is a Royal Navy operational unit. The MNLO is to strictly adhere to all direction concerning the dissemination of militarily sensitive information promulgated by or on behalf of the OiC UKMTO.
13. Each MNLO will sign to the effect of understanding these Terms of Reference and agreeing compliance with locally produced Standing and Security Orders.
14. These Terms of Reference will be reviewed annually.
OFFICIAL-PERSONAL
[1] Conforming with the Maritime Trade Information System Security and System Operating Procedures