Senior SEO Surveyor - External Monitoring and Assurance in Southampton

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a Senior SEO Surveyor to join our External Monitoring and Assurance (EMA) team within the Maritime Governance and Regulatory Compliance Directorate. The MCA implements the UK Government’s maritime safety policy, working to prevent loss of life and pollution at sea. The EMA branch provides assurance that external organisations, such as Classification Societies, Certifying Authorities, and UK Overseas Territories, comply with international and national standards. EMA team monitors and audits these bodies to ensure robust governance and adherence to International Maritime Organisation (IMO) codes, supporting the UK’s obligations as a flag, port, and coastal State. You’ll work alongside experienced auditors and technical specialists, influencing policy and representing the UK in industry and regulatory forums. This is a unique opportunity to shape industry best practice, strengthen regulatory compliance, and contribute to safer seas worldwide.

Benefits

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to meeting the MGRC strategy for quality assurance of delegated statutory survey work carried out by Recognised Organisations (ROs), Certifying Authorities (CAs) and other bodies with which MCA has an agreement in place to delegate survey and certification functions.
• Lead on providing technical expertise for monitoring of ROs, CAs and other organisations involved in certification of UK flag ships to assure that all delegated survey work are discharged to consistently high standards in line with international requirements, UK guidance and instructions.
• Undertake Vertical Contract Audits (VCA) of delegated survey work carried out by RO and CA Surveyors and lead/participate in other oversight activities such as regional monitoring, specialist monitoring, British Committee meetings and ship file reviews.
• Assess performance of ROs and CAs and follow-up where required to assure compliance with UK and international requirements.
• Training & mentoring/coaching of Lead Auditors and External Compliance Officers within the MGIA team for the technical aspects of RO and CA oversight activities.
• Lead on carrying out audits of ships enrolled under the MCA Alternative Compliance Scheme (ACS) and assess shipyards for building ships to UK flag under ACS.
• Ensure that own continuous professional development is ongoing and own professional knowledge is up to date.
• Maintain a high level of technical knowledge of the UK Maritime legislation, Codes and guidance documents, and of MCA S&I activities.
• Acquire and maintain a high level of knowledge of IMO RO Code, IACS and Classification Society Rules, Regulations, processes, and procedures.
• Provide technical expertise at internal and external meetings associated within areas of responsibility (e.g. REG-Technical Forum, REG-RO Monitoring Working Group, RO British Certification Committee (RO BCC), CA British Certification Committee (CA BCC)).
• Represent MGIA as directed in industry and regulatory forums and work with other MCA or Government Departments in relevant groups/committees, and international/industry fora such as International Association of Classification Societies and Quality Assessment and Certification Entity.
• Lead in developing digital systems including fleet analysis to aide continual improvement and risk monitoring and performance of ROs and CAs.

Requirements

• Postholders are required to obtain and maintain Port State Control (PSC) eligibility to participate in the PSC Officer On-Call Rota.