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Hydrographic Programmes Officer
Job summary
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is a world-leading agency providing the most comprehensive range of marine geospatial information across the globe. This information is used for the primary purpose of safe navigation and global trade efficiency, but also supports other marine activities including economic development, environmental protection, resource exploration and utilisation, scientific research and security and defence.
The Hydrographic Programmes team requires a Hydrographic Programmes Officer to support hydrographic capacity development and survey support initiatives to ensure the successful delivery of the UKHOs Corporate and Business Plan.
The Hydrographic Programmes are part of the wider Data Acquisition Division, and work closely with many other teams across the UKHO to ensure the successful delivery of activity on a worldwide basis.
This is a rewarding role with opportunities for advancement of project delivery and technical skills, for occasional travel and engagement, well suited to people with experience and an interest in seabed mapping.
Hybrid working
This job role can be worked on a hybrid basis, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, working between the office in Taunton and remotely within the UK.
Office attendance is expected 60% of the time.
Additional Information
Part-time hours may be considered for this role (minimum of 29.6 hours per week).
Job description
- Support Hydrographic Programme Managers with the effective management and delivery of meetings and stakeholder engagement.
- Use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to maintain an overview of activities and undertake analyses to inform project planning and delivery.
- Conduct research, coordinating input from wider UKHO stakeholders and collate draft technical assessments, visit reports and briefing notes in fulfilment of project requirements.
- Work collaboratively with team members and wider office colleagues to identify, plan and deliver capacity development activities.
- Maintain regular communications with stakeholders to build/maintain high levels of engagement in programme delivery.
- Provide support to the Hydrographic Programmes team in the development of policy papers, business cases and funding bids for complex international programmes.
- Deputise and act as point of contact whilst travelling staff are overseas.
Person specification
We are seeking a highly motivated individual with the following characteristics:
- Experience with hydrographic surveying, marine geospatial data or GIS.
- Experience working in a project management or project delivery environment or similar
- Ability to work with stakeholders at all levels to build strong working relationships. Diplomatic and professional self-confidence.
- Effective communications skills, proven technical report writing skills.
- Excellent numeracy and literacy skills to undertake a range of tasks including the ability to produce concise, clear and coherent data and written reports.
- The ability to adapt to and embrace change.
- Knowledge of navigational products and their practical application is a benefit.
- An interest and sound understanding of international affairs and geopolitical sensitivity.
- Ability to undertake international travel.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Experience of working a project management or project delivery environment or similar
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £38,173, UK Hydrographic Office contributes £11,058 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).At the UK Hydrographic Office, it's very important to us that our people feel valued.
We offer a huge range of benefits such as training and development, well-being support, flexible/ homeworking, a fantastic state of the art building, high spec equipment, and so much more.
See our attached Candidate Information Pack for more details.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.How to Apply:
When you click "Apply Now" at the bottom of this page, you will be required to attach your anonymised CV and give a supporting statement of 500 words on the Experience criteria below.
Timeline:
- Advert Closes for applications: 19th August 2026
- Shortlisting: Week commencing: 24th August 2026
- Interviews: Week commencing: 7th September 2026
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
Sift/Shortlist Criteria:
All applications are processed anonymously. You will be short-listed against the following criteria - assessed by both your anonymised CV and personal statement.
Experience:
- Experience with hydrographic surveying, marine geospatial data or GIS (lead criteria used in the event of a large volume of applications).
- Experience working in a project management or project delivery environment or similar
Interview Criteria:
You will be interviewed against the following criteria:
Experience:-
- Experience with hydrographic surveying, marine geospatial data and GIS (lead criteria used in the event of a tie at interview) - assessed by a presentation
Technical:
- Experience of working a project management or project delivery environment or similar
Civil Service Behaviours (SEO Level)
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
See here for further information: Success Profiles: Civil Service Behaviours
Process:
- Single Stage Interview via MS TEAMS. You will be contacted to book a suitable slot if you are shortlisted (see our Candidate Pack for further information)
- Interview will be with a panel of no more than 3 people and will last approximately 45 minutes. If selected for interview, you will be required to give a 10 minute presentation as noted above. The title of the presentation will be provided in your Invitation to Interview.
Onboarding Checks:
In the event you are offered a role with us, you will be required to go through Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which will include Employment and Right to Work Checks. Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms.
Residency Requirements:
BPSS – non reserved
This is a Ministry of Defence non-reserved post and is open to UK, British Commonwealth, and European Economic Area nationals. Successful applicants will be required to pass the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and will therefore need to provide evidence if they have resided outside of the UK for a period of 6 months or longer within the last 3 years. This is not a bar to employment, but a successful applicant will be required to provide sufficient evidence to allow the UKHO to conduct meaningful background checks. Please contact the recruitment team on the email address below if you have any concerns regarding this.
Please note, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.
Due to the secure nature of our work, there may be eligibility restrictions if you hold dual nationality or are not a British Citizen. We will consider each application on a case-by-case basis. We will ask you in our application form to confirm your place of birth and details of any dual or previous nationalities.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk
Further information
The Department’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment based on merit, open and fair competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, details of which can be found at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can further contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk or view more details at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.ukAttachments
UKHO Candidate Information Pack (3) Opens in new window (pdf, 5685kB)Additional Pay Information Opens in new window (pdf, 331kB)Salary range
- £38,173 per year