At a glance
As an HR Administrator (Writer), you’re in charge of Human Resources (HR), handling legal matters, financial admin, and looking after the welfare of your crewmates. Travel the world in this unique job – in a unique environment.
Job Role
Writer Logistician
On board you’ll be responsible for Human Resources (HR), handling legal matters and financial administration.
- £18,500 - £58,500
- No qualifications
- Surface Fleet
- Logistics
- Rating level
£25,200
The minimum you’ll earn after training
£58,599
Earn over this amount as you progress
NVQs
Get qualifications paid for
6 weeks
Of paid holiday every year
Travel
All around the world
Zero
Qualifications needed
My job is to make sure everyone on board is looked after and has the support they need. Working behind the scenes to keep the ship moving is really rewarding – it’s not like any HR career I’d get at home.
Role details
What you’ll do
The smooth running of a ship is about much more than on-point kit. Our people’s welfare needs to run smoothly, too. As an HR Administrator (Writer), you’re in charge of Human Resources (HR), handling legal matters, financial admin, and looking after the welfare of your crewmates. Whether you’re advising your Captain about promotions or organising your crewmates’ pay, it’s up to you to make things happen. It’s a unique job in a unique environment, and a great opportunity to discover what makes us tick – and how we keep ticking, all over the world.
Your role
- Become an invaluable part of the behind-the-scenes team who keep the ship’s company running smoothly
- Learn all the ins and outs of running an extremely tight HR operation, no matter where you are in the world – and regardless of the pressures of the operation you’re deployed on
- Stay up to date with industry best practice, gaining recognised HR qualifications including an Intermediate Apprenticeship in Business and Administration
- Learn additional skills as an Incident Board Operator, where it’ll be your responsibility to pass vital information to Damage Control teams fighting fires and floods
Pay & benefits
- A starting salary of over £25,200 as soon as you finish training
- Potential earnings of over £58,599 as your career progresses
- An excellent pension scheme
- Six weeks of paid holiday every year
- Free medical and dental care
Skills for life
Qualifications you‘ll gain
- Study for GCSEs, A-Levels, NVQs or a degree
- Gain specialist vocational qualifications as your career progresses, like a Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard
Skills you‘ll develop
- The excellent organisational skills needed for a seamless HR operation, valued by employers all over the world
- A pin-sharp eye for detail, collaborative teamwork, professionalism and problem-solving, and the ability to communicate at all levels
Eligibility
- You need to be aged 16 to 39
- No qualifications are required for this role
- You must be a United Kingdom national, or Commonwealth citizen, or Dual National. Dual Nationality restrictions do apply
- A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
- Pass the Naval Swimming Test
Skills & interests
- A keen interest in HR, and its importance within the Royal Navy
- A genuine people person, who can be proactive and reactive in a broad variety of personal and professional situations
- A problem-solver, with a common sense approach, who can work well as part of a team
- A real sense of adventure, with a high level of physical and mental fitness
Joining process
From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.
Step 1
Submit an application
Once you’ve registered your interest and have satisfied the basic eligibility criteria, you will be sent an online application form
Step 2
Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)
You’ll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
To prepare, you can practise the DAA
Step 3
Interview
A formal interview to talk through your suitability for the role. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform
Step 4
Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)
This four-day induction to life in the Royal Navy, including a Swimming Test and a fitness assessment, is a pass or fail course
Step 5
Start training
Once you’ve passed a Security Check, you’ll be offered a place at HMS Raleigh
Career progression
From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.
Phase one training
10 weeks at HMS Raleigh, learning basic military skills
Phase two training
Develop your professional skills, prepare for working life
First year
Put skills into practice on a shore base, complete task book
First promotion – Leading Hand
Leading Rates Command Course, learn about line management
Second promotion – Petty Officer
Become an office manager, overseeing all pay and admin
Got a question?
Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day