QHSSE Advisor (Lowestoft)

The QHSSE Advisor provides independent professional assurance of the effective implementation and ongoing effectiveness of North Star’s Integrated Management System (IMS), encompassing Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environmental (QHSSE) requirements across fleet and onshore operations, ensuring continued compliance with statutory, flag, class, security, charterer and client standards, and driving sustainable performance improvement. Acting as a visible and credible QHSSE leader, the role promotes a Just Culture, proactive hazard and threat identification, and disciplined operational risk management to enable safe, secure and reliable offshore delivery.

Reporting Relationship

• Reports to: Head of QHSSE

Authority & Accountability

The QHSSE Advisor is accountable for providing independent assurance of the effectiveness and compliance of North Star’s Integrated Management System (IMS), in line with the ISM Code, ISPS Code and applicable ISO standards, across fleet and onshore operations, and is authorised to access vessels, personnel, records and systems to identify and escalate non‑conformities, hazards and threats, and to recommend and verify corrective and preventive actions. This authority does not detract from the Master’s overriding responsibility and authority for the safety, security and environmental protection of the vessel, crew and operations; rather, the role operates as an independent challenge and assurance function, supporting management in meeting statutory obligations and driving continual improvement.

Key Work Areas Responsible For

• QHSSE Governance & Assurance
  • Support the implementation, maintenance and continual improvement of North Star’s Integrated Management System (IMS), ensuring alignment to QHSSE policy, statutory obligations and recognised industry best practice.
  • Provide authoritative, independent QHSSE advice to Masters, Officers, Safety Representatives, shore management and contractors.
  • Monitor and assure compliance with flag state, class, ISM, ISPS, ISO and North Star requirements, escalating gaps and systemic issues as required.
• Audits, Inspections & Compliance
  • Plan and conduct risk‑based internal audits, inspections and assurance visits across fleet and onshore operations.
  • Support and coordinate external audits and inspections, including Flag, Class, ISM, ISPS, ISO, charterer and client audits.
  • Track findings, verify effective close‑out of corrective actions and report assurance outcomes with clear recommendations to management.
• Incident, Non‑Conformance & Organisational Learning
  • Support the reporting and management of incidents, security events, near‑misses and non‑conformances in line with statutory and company requirements.
  • Lead or support investigations, ensuring robust root cause analysis and proportionate corrective and preventive actions.
  • Analyse trends and performance data to produce meaningful QHSSE insight and management reporting.
• Risk Management & Operational Safety
  • Support vessel and shore teams with risk assessments, task planning, method statements and control effectiveness reviews.
  • Promote proactive hazard and threat identification, workforce engagement and consistent application of Stop Work Authority.
  • Provide specialist QHSSE input to high‑risk activities including COSHH, lifting operations, energy isolation and confined space entry.
• Competence, Training & Engagement
  • Identify QHSSE competence gaps and support the planning and delivery of targeted training and awareness initiatives.
  • Deliver QHSSE inductions, toolbox talks and coaching both onboard and onshore, reinforcing consistent standards.
  • Act as a visible leader in promoting a strong, security‑aware safety culture and Just Culture principles.
• Emergency Response, Security & Environment
  • Participate in North Star’s Emergency Response and Security arrangements, including exercises and drills.
  • Support emergency preparedness, security response planning and structured post‑incident reviews.
  • Promote environmental protection, pollution prevention, and compliance with MARPOL and environmental legislation.
• Financial & Departmental Support
  • Support QHSSE budget planning, cost control and resource prioritisation aligned to risk and operational needs.

Qualifications & Experience

• Nautical Officer or Marine Engineer Certificate, or a recognised safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent), demonstrating appropriate professional competence under the ISM Code.
• Formal ISM and Safety Auditor training, with experience applying audit principles and objective evidence‑based assurance.
• Demonstrable experience in marine and/or offshore operations, including shipboard management and/or QHSSE advisory roles.
• Strong working knowledge of maritime and offshore legislation, codes and guidelines, including ISM, ISPS, MARPOL and relevant flag/class requirements.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office and QHSSE reporting, audit and safety management systems.

Desirable

• Experience supporting SOV, CSOV and/or ERRV operations in offshore energy environments.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, including audit and continual improvement principles.
• Experience interfacing professionally with charterers, regulators, clients and external auditors.

Personal Qualities/Characteristics

• Credible and confident professional able to influence at all levels onboard and onshore.
• Strong analytical, investigation and report‑writing capability.
• Practical and solutions‑focused, with high attention to detail.
• Clear and effective verbal and written communicator.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and Just Culture principles.
• Willingness to travel and work flexibly to support operational priorities.