International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Technical Officer

International Association of Classification Societies TECHNICAL OFFICER (TO)Dedicated to safe ships and clean seas, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) provides a unique contribution to maritime safety and regulation through technical expertise, compliance support, and the development of international standards. More than 90% of the world’s cargo carrying tonnage is covered by the Rules and standards set by the twelve Member Societies of IACS.An exciting opportunity now exists for a someone to join the IACS Secretariat in London (Westminster) as a Technical Officer, supporting the IACS membership and supporting its mission of Safer Ships and Cleaner Seas.About the roleDo you want to be at the heart of global maritime regulation? As a Technical Officer, you will provide essential technical, editorial and administrative support for IACS’ work on the Common Structural Rules (CSR) and Goal-Based Standards (GBS), as well as across a wide range of Secretariat activities.You'll gain unique insight into the inner workings of IACS by working closely with IACS leadership, Member Societies, and key industry stakeholders. By attending internal and external technical meetings, you'll contribute to preparing vital technical documents and ensure follow-up actions are completed. This experience will provide you with a front-row seat to how complex policy and technical issues are identified, discussed and resolved, sharpening your cross-cultural communication and collaborative skills.The role also involves supporting IACS governing bodies (Council and GPG) and Working Groups in their day-to-day functions, maintaining IACS documents by using and developing key depository tools such including the IACS website. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your organisational prowess, and gain experience in document management and team coordination within a high-impact technical environment.The role is a three-year full-time contract with the potential option to extend at the end of the contract term. About youTo thrive as Technical Officer, you should have a solid technical background in naval architecture or a related discipline, combined with strong organisational and communication skills. An ability to understand and work with technical standards will be important as you will contribute to the maintenance of IACS Resolutions, including the CSR.As the role involves participating in IACS governing body meetings and interacting with industry associations, you should be comfortable following complex discussions, capturing key points, and working effectively with colleagues from different cultural and professional backgrounds.In addition, supporting IACS’ day-to-day operations and managing important technical documents and tools will require attention to detail, good planning skills, and confidence in handling multiple tasks.In return, this role will allow you to broaden your technical expertise, gain first-hand experience of IACS engagement with industry associations, and build practical skills in communication, documentation, and coordination—while contributing directly to IACS’ mission of safe ships and clean seas.To be successful in this role, you'll need:A solid technical foundation: You should have a background in naval architecture or a related discipline, with the ability to understand and work with complex technical standards. You will apply this knowledge directly the maintenance of IACS Resolutions.Strong organizational and communication skills: The role requires you to work effectively with colleagues from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. You should be adept at following complex discussions, capturing key points, and interacting with industry stakeholders and IACS leadership during governing body meetings.Attention to detail: This is essential for managing daily operations, handling multiple tasks, and maintaining and developing important technical documents and tools.A technology focused mindset: This will be vital for helping suggest and develop new and more efficient tools for maintaining, communicating and monitoring the various IACS information products.In return, this role provides a unique opportunity to:Broaden your technical expertise and exposure by engaging with international technical authorities and industry leaders.Gain first-hand experience of how industry associations collaborate with one another on a wide range of technical topics.Build and refine practical skills that will be valuable throughout your career. These skills are wide ranging and will include executive level communication, document management, technical requirement development and drafting, regulatory expertise, process analysis and improvement, administration and coordination, and change management.Contribute directly to the critical mission of ‘safe ships and clean seas’.This role is a three-year contract with the potential to renew at the end of the term.Key ResponsibilitiesIACS Common Structural Rules (CSR) Secretariat member·        Technical and editorial assistance to the CSR Maintenance Project Team.·        Management of the CSR Knowledge Centre and production of the report on Knowledge Centre status.·        Technical assistance and support to the CSR editorial team and CSR publishers.·        Management of all the CSR documents on the IACS Website and internal servers.·        Liaison with key stakeholders on IACS Goal Based Standards matters, including submissions to the International Maritime Organisation Secretariat.IACS Secretariat Support of IACS Governing bodies and Working Groups·        Assisting in organising IACS Council, General Policy Group (GPG) and Working Group meetings and Workshops. As well as IACS external meetings with Industry.·        Running and minuting IACS meetings.·        Creating and monitoring and follow up action lists from all relevant meetings.·        Managing maintenance of IACS Resolutions, Recommendations and other IACS Publications.·        Assisting in producing the Unified Requirements implementation status report. ·        Maintaining Members Action Plans on Reservations. ·        Maintaining IACS Working Group membership lists.·        Assisting IACS Working Group Chairs with project management and reporting tools.·        Maintaining and offering assistance to IACS Working Groups with existing IACS tools as it may be required. Ensuring such tools are fit for purpose.·        Assisting in dealing with external queries.Internal Technical Administrative Tasks·        Maintaining, developing and administering IACS SharePoint sites.·        Maintaining, developing and assisting in the implementation of IACS email protocol.·        Monitoring IACS Members Equal Participation.·        Maintaining the IACS website, technical forum and social media handles.·        Monitoring and improving the health of the IACS website in conjunction with the external website maintenance service provider.·        Identifying and implementing improvements to the IACS website.·        Assisting in the maintenance of IACS website.·        Monitoring Accident Investigation organisation websites and disseminating relevant information to the Technical Secretary.·        Maintenance and publication of IACS resolutions and supporting documents.·        Analysing current processes and tools to identify inefficiencies and pain points.·        Developing and implementing streamlined workflows and digital solutions in collaboration with Technical Secretary, to support Members’ activities.·        Carrying out ad-hoc tasks as requested by Technical Secretary.Skills and competencies requiredQualifications and specific knowledgeEducated to a Degree level in Naval Architecture or a related field.Very good knowledge and understanding, including practical application, of IACS Resolutions.General Competencies(i) Organisational skillsAble to gather, synthesise and distil informationManagement of workflow (Monitor incoming work, emails and other messages)International outlook - able to work with many people and organisationsA self-motivated problem solver(ii) InnovationAble to manage change and volunteer new ideasCapable of systems thinkingKeen to learn and develop(iii) Interpersonal abilitiesAble to work well in small teamsSelf-motivatedConfident in handling new tasksFlexible in assignmentsAttentive to detailAble to work in a multi-cultural environmentSpecific skills(i) TechnicalExcellent technical knowledgeStrong analytical mindNumerate – Mathematically inclinedTechnical leadership and management(ii) Communication skillsEffective oral and written communicator in the English LanguageGood listening, comprehension and analysing skillsAble to present technical data clearly and conciselyAble to produce engaging technical writings and reportsAble to minute technical meetings(iii) Planning skillsGood at planning, prioritising and organising workGood administrative skills, including filing and updating recordsGood at completing tasks to a given plan and within allocated resources(iv) Computer skillsGood working knowledge of Microsoft office (Word and Excel in particular)Good understanding Microsoft and Adobe(acrobat) applicationsGood working knowledge of Windows OSWorking knowledge of Microsoft SharePointGood knowledge of the Microsoft 365 environment including Power tools.(v) Data1.   Working knowledge of analytics.2.   Programming skills for automation.3.   Working knowledge of website development (WordPress)4.   Working knowledge of a programmatic language such as Python, VBA etc.YOU MUST HAVE THE RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UKTHIS ROLE DOES COME WITH A RELOCATION PACKAGEAN APPROPRIATE AND SPECIFIC COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION

Created: 2025-12-15