Partnering & Engagement Officer

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is a world-leading provider of marine geospatial information, supporting safe navigation, global trade, environmental protection, scientific research, defence and wider marine activity.

As a Partnering & Engagement Officer in the Data Acquisition Division, you will support UKHO’s work with international bodies, Regional Hydrographic Commissions, strategic data partners and technical engagement forums. You will help ensure UKHO presents a consistent, authoritative and strategically aligned position across international and partner engagements, supporting continuity of data supply and the development of global products and services. This role will work primarily in the International Bodies and Technical Engagement Team however there is crossover and flexibility to work in the Global Partnering & Engagement team according to business priorities.

This is an opportunity to be at the heart of UKHO’s international engagement, supporting the UK’s commitment to the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and its Regional Hydrographic Commissions. You will contribute to work that strengthens maritime safety, international cooperation and the effective sharing of hydrographic knowledge.

The role will suit someone who is organised, proactive and interested in global affairs, stakeholder engagement and the role hydrography plays in safe navigation. It offers the chance to build expertise in the IHO, develop communication and influencing skills with international stakeholders, and gain experience coordinating complex activities, managing information flows, supporting briefings, and helping deliver international events and projects.

Hybrid working

There will be opportunities to work in a hybrid way working between the contractual place of work in Taunton, Somerset, and remotely within the UK. Attendance in the office is required in accordance with business need - which is likely to be 60% of the working week.

As part of the induction period upon joining the UKHO it would be beneficial to attend the office in Taunton for the first few weeks to meet the teams and key stakeholders you will be working and engaging with.

• Maintain regular communications with stakeholders to build/maintain high levels of engagement and to build, maintain and foster relationships in programme delivery.
• Act as a consistent UKHO point of contact for data partners and international bodies. Manage requests for information, products and services; liaise with internal teams and external stakeholders to progress data supply, engagement and relationship objectives.
• Coordinate UKHO participation: Act as the central point for coordinating UKHO representatives to IHO Working Groups, Committees, and RHC committees.
• Support UK Delegations: Produce and deliver essential briefings, reports and documentation to senior stakeholders and leaders within UKHO for international meetings.Translate technical input into clear high-level messages; quality review briefs, reports and actions; maintain authoritative lines to take and supporting evidence.
• Maintain awareness of regional, geopolitical, technical, and industry developments. Build understanding of central government, Defence, international and partner contexts to inform and support engagement strategy and data opportunity identification.
• Knowledge Management: Monitor meeting reports, ensure their dissemination across the UKHO, and maintain accurate records of discussions and decisions.
• Information Management: Manage crucial databases containing details on groups, representatives, and key subject positions, supporting a consistent UKHO stance.
• Lead and Manage Events: Manage and organise various UK-sponsored IHO-related events and prestigious awards, like the Alexander Dalrymple Award, celebrating excellence in hydrography from start to finish liaising with a range of internal and external stakeholders. Undertake RHC secretariat responsibilities where the UK holds the Chair role and support hosting arrangements, documentation, agendas and logistics.

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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

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. You will also need to write a 250 word statement on a Civil Service Behaviour.

Timeline:

• Advert Closes for applications: 31st August 2026
• Shortlisting: Week commencing: 7th September 2026
• Interviews: Week commencing: 28th 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 supporting statement.

Experience:

Please provide your CV and a 500 word supporting statement outlining your suitability for the Partnering & Engagement Officer position at the UKHO.

• Relevant experience and skills in managing and organising national/international activities, engaging with diverse stakeholders, and supporting international delegations (lead criteria).
• Specific examples of how you have demonstrated the ability to manage information, produce and deliver briefings, monitor reports for use at professional meetings both nationally and internationally.

Civil Service Behaviours (SEO Level)

• Working Together

See here for further information: Success Profiles: Civil Service Behaviours

Interview Criteria:

You will be interviewed against the following criteria:

Experience:-

• Experience managing and organising an internal/external event at scale - assessed by a presentation

Civil Service Behaviours (SEO Level)

• Making Effective Decisions (lead criteria)
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at pace

See here for further information: Success Profiles: Civil Service Behaviours

Process:

• Single Stage face-to-face Interview. 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.